Chicago June 2, 2010) Nine Saint Xavier University students and staff recently traveled to Belize with a Sister of Mercy to help build a home for needy people as part of the Third International Mercy Service Trip.In accord with the University’s mission and core values of providing service to those in need, the group volunteered with the Building for Change program through Hand in Hand Ministries in Belize City to build a basic 16x16 home for a woman and her mother who previously were residing in an uninhabitable structure. The group also volunteered to work with local children affected by HIV at Hand in Hand’s Outreach Center and learned about Belize’s social, economic and political climate.
"My visit to Belize was a life-changing experience,” said graduate student Danelle Schuch of Oak Lawn. “We had an opportunity to work with an amazing organization, Hand in Hand Ministries, to make a real difference in someone's life. It was all worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat."
The trip also visited Sisters of Mercy at Saint Catherine’s Academy in Belize City, the Mayan temples at Altun Ha and the island of Cave Caulker for snorkeling. Additionally, the group took time for daily prayer and reflection about their experiences, how it affected their faith and what they learned.
The following students attended the trip: Tara Becker, freshman, Burbank; Lauren Hennessy, sophomore, Orland Park; Kayla Jacobs, sophomore, Sterling; Julie Keller, sophomore, New Lenox; Alejandra Reyes, junior, Blue Island; Danelle Schuch, graduate student, Oak Lawn; and Jessica Usher, sophomore, Chicago. Also in attendance were SXU staff members Esther Sanborn and Brian Kelley and Sister of Mercy Sr. Kathleen McClelland.
SXU’s Office of Mission and Heritage sponsored the trip. For more information, please contact Sr. Joy Clough in the Office of Mission and Heritage at (773) 298-3981 or clough@sxu.edu.
-SXU-
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Jay Foot, Executive Director of Media Relations
O: (773) 298-3937
C: (773) 617-3632
foot@sxu.edu
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1 comment:
I am not really surprised to here that danelle schuch one of the students who attended the service trip........would do such a good deed for some one else.Shes always there to lend a hand..Good job "GUERITA".
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