The Visor

Mexico immersion trip changes students’ spirits and hearts

Last 5 stories in News

Issue 2 designed as savior for Senate Bill 5 victims - October 13, 2011
High cost of college leads to increase in financial aid - October 13, 2011
Annual canned food drive focuses on area homeless - April 6, 2011
Cannonization of Br. Andre witnessed by former Knight - April 5, 2011
Girls volleyball looking for a pay off in the playoffs - April 5, 2011

Other stories that might interest you...

March 11, 2010

Lindsay Huth

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it inspired 28 students to discover a new culture and step out of their comfort zone – and the country – to Monterrey, Mexico. Two immersion groups made the week-long expedition to La Luz Parish in January and February.

It’s always a great experience to get outside of your own culture,” campus minister Jason Horinger said. “You see the differences but in a lot of ways see common aspects between people everywhere.”

For six years, the trip has shown students the poverty in countries like Mexico.

“Entire families were living in one room shacks built from tin and cardboard,” junior Emily Bulgrin said. “It’s really hard to see children running around barefoot in trash and manure. It’s like the pictures you see on TV, except you couldn’t change the program.”

Students experienced the culture of Mexico through participating in many ministries of the parish. They visited and assisted seniors, prepared a party for the children, toured downtown Monterrey and bonded with the youth group.

“I enjoyed the time with the youth group because our kids were able to meet with kids their own age who, besides the difference in language, are still teenagers just like them,” chaperone and religion teacher Ben Rossi said.

The group was also able to visit catechism centers, attend daily liturgy and bring the Eucharist to the homebound.

“One thing that really affected me was a man we went to give communion to,” Bulgrin said. “He was really sick and had to stay in bed. When I read the Gospel to him, he started crying. The woman with me had to keep reminding him that it was okay and that Jesus could take all our pain away.”

Although the trip is over, its impact is still in the participants’ minds.

“I was amazed at how normal it was for the people to be open about their faith, and it taught me to not be shy about going to church or even singing out loud rather than lip-syncing like the rest of my friends,” sophomore Alex Wills said.

Growing in faith was a common experience among the participants.

“The message we foster is not to change the people of Monterrey but to become changed ourselves,” Rossi said. “When we go to Mass, the consecrated bread is changed just as the essence of the trip is to allow the spirit to change us.”

Tags: