Saint Anselm College SBA

South Dakota Update

2011-03-07T15:36:00.001-08:00

The South Dakota group unfortunately missed their connecting flight in Chicago due to a delay back in Rapid City. They have been put on another flight scheduled to leave in a half hour, which will send them to Dulles Aiport in D.C. and then back up to Boston by 11:37pm.

As soon as I have flight numbers and details I will do my best to get them to you.

Joycelin

South Dakota Update

2011-03-06T14:19:00.001-08:00

For those of you concerned about the SoDak group, here is their updated flight itinerary. Please pray that the snow clears and they are able to leave!

07 MAR 11 MONDAY
UNITED FLIGHT: 6791
LV : RAPID CITY 132P
ARR: CHICAGO/OHARE 434P
AIRCRAFT: CANADAIR JET
OPERATED BY: UNITED EXPRESS/SKY

UNITED FLIGHT: 162
LV : CHICAGO/OHARE 525P
ARR: BOSTON 842P
AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS A319 JET

They should be getting into Boston at 8:45, where we will pick them up and return the group to campus. If you have any questions, please email me at jtremblay@anselm.edu

Transit Update

2011-03-05T18:22:00.000-08:00

Most groups have made it back safe and sound to campus!

We are still waiting on New Orleans, Mississippi and Jamaica, who are arriving at 10:15, 10:03, and 11:21 respectively.

The South Dakota trip has been detained in Rapid City until Monday due to freezing fog. (who has ever heard of freezing fog??) They should arrive Monday evening if all goes as planned. We did everything we could to get them home tomorrow, but flights are already being canceled for tomorrow as well. Please keep the SoDak group in your prayers as they hang out in Rapid City for another day! We can't wait to see them and hear about their experience at Re-Member!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office or my cell phone.
Joycelin

SBA's last day! All groups in transit!

2011-03-05T10:45:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all friends and family for reading our blog, and keeping all our students in your thoughts and prayers this week!

All groups are currently in route home driving, or waiting in airports for their flights home. By 11pm tonight all groups should be safe and sound here on campus.

Manchester & Lawrence are already back on campus, and taking much needed naps!

Boston will be back in town by 2:30pm
Maine should arrive sometime close to 3pm
D.C. lands in Manch at 4:55pm
New York will be in Manch at 5:15pm
Fuller lands in Boston at 6:15pm - Back to campus around 7:45
Mississippi lands in Manch at 7:08pm
Appalachia, Philly and Maryland should arrive between 7-9pm
Phoenix arrives in Manch at 8:40pm
New Orleans and SoDak arrives in Boston at 10:00 - should be back on campus by 11:15
Jamaica arrives in Manch 10:30pm

Please keep an eye on our blog and our shutterfly site for pictures!
http://saintanselmsba2011.shutterfly.com/

Thanks Again!
Joycelin

Workin' hard and havin' fun!

2011-03-03T15:50:00.000-08:00

Mississippi Group after a long day's work at the camp with Brother Terri and Father Tim!

It doesn't cost a thing to smile...

2011-03-03T13:34:00.000-08:00

New Orleans just finished their last full day of school, and are starting to get a little teary eyed at the idea that tomorrow will be their last day with their new little friends.

The group has learned a lot this week: How the Hurricane took so much from St. Joan of Arc school and their families...how problems still aren't solved in New Orleans...how love of family and community comes before all else.

Rob's class was learning about Hero's this week. He said his hero growing up was always one professional athlete or another...but these kids posted about their moms, their dads, their grandfathers, even parents who have passed away. These kids have lived through a lot of hurt, which has become evident to our group. They have also noticed, however, that these kids show a whole lotta love. They held a dance party this afternoon for all their students, and our Saint Anselm students!

Ms. Frost, the school principal, took the group out for an authentic Cajun meal last night, and told them a bit about how Katrina impacted their community and their children, and the long-term effects of the hurricane on these families. She will also be taking them for a tour of the lower 9th ward tomorrow morning.

In the meantime, however, tonight is the official kick off of Mardi-Gras!!! Our group is lucky enough to be able to walk from their hostel to some world-renowned parades this evening. What an experience to really take in all New Orleans has to offer!

Wopila Tanka! (Many Thanks)

2011-03-03T06:27:00.000-08:00

This photo does not really depict what our students are experiencing right now in South Dakota! Temperatures of -11 degrees makes their service days just a little chilly!!!

In fact, the icy roads across the plains of the Reservation make delivering bunk beds quite an adventure!

Re-Member has been posting some great flip-cam videos on their facebook page!

Search for Re-Member in Pine Ridge, SD on facebook to see videos of the group doing everything from chopping wood to taste testing a new potato bar!

Mid-Week Updates

2011-03-03T05:53:00.001-08:00

By Wednesday Night, all the SBA groups had checked in! Here is a brief update from the trips that called in yesterday:

Boston: Kayla and Matt checked in last night after a great afternoon serving at the Paulist Center in Boston. This downtown church cooks and serves dinner every Wednesday night, and our group was able to help prepare, serve, and then join their homeless guests for a meal. They loved the opportunity to hear their stories and get to know them a bit. They shared that all of their sites have been really powerful, and clearly needed their help. Its good to hear our students are making an impact in the lives of the homless in Boston!

New York: John and Marysa called from their Hostel in NYC, sounding a bit exhausted, but loving the work they are doing. The group is breaking up into smaller groups and crossing the city to serve at different soup kitchens and agencies. They said it is difficult to see the number of homeless and hungry people that need their help, but they are glad they can do even a little to make their lives a bit easier. They are looking forward to spending tomorrow with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal at their shelter and joining them for prayer and dinner.

Appalachia: Sam and Morgan are having a great week, split between two renevation sites working with different families in this rural region of Kentucky. They have enjoyed the culture of Appalachia at a blue grass jam Tuesday night, and kicked up their heels dancing with the locals! It doesn't get better than that!

Fuller: Erin and Mark say the group is having a great week, bouncing between 7 or 8 Fuller Center worksites. They said they were initially dissapointed they werent building a house, that they could walk away from seeing progress at the end of the week, but they are so thankful for the way things are going because they have been able to get to know 7 or 8 families who will be living in these homes rather than just 1. They are learning great life lessons about being present to the people in the community, and doing whatever they ask of them. (They've heard that parents have been asking for more stories...so they are supposed to report to me today with a story the group chose to share! hope to be in touch with more soon!)

D.C. : Kelly and Chris have been all over the Capitol volunteering through The Pilgrimage. They have done everything from food banks, to cleaning an elderly couple's home, to handing out sandwiches up and down the National Mall. The group met a woman who was begging for a pair of shoes, and the group desperately wanted to stop their service and go buy her a pair...its a tough lesson to learn when there are hundreds of men and women just around the corner craving something equally as simple, and realizing that you can't provide for everyone. The group has been learning that tough life lesson, but is empowered by being on Capitol Hill and realizing that they need to advocate and be a voice for these homeless men and women of D.C., only inches from where all our laws are made.

Mississippi : Sarah and Jon sounded incredibly enthusiastic despite working long, hard days cleaning up the camp and working in the food pantry. In one day, they put together enough food for 432 families in Aberdeen, which would normally take their volunteers a month! How awesome is that! They also have been chopping down trees, raking fields, and cleaning things up for the kids at Glenmary Home Missioners camp this summer. They said despite the service being more indirect than other sites, the group is completely invested and sees the value of their hard work already.

Great work, groups! Your service inspires us all.

-Joycelin

"Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." — St. Francis of Assisi

2011-03-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

Our students are surely doing the impossible, as they serve hundreds of meals this week at the St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia.
Meg just checked in, and reported that the group has been working hard in the soup kitchen and the women's shelter, and doing food pick-ups for the inn. They had a powerful experience yesterday sitting in on an AA meeting and walked away with a greater understanding of how we need to support one another in eachothers struggles.

Last night, the group shared a reflection with Mary Donahue '09, who is a current full-time volunteer at the Inn, along with members of her volunteer community. The group said it was great to get insight from an alum who was once in their shoes...and now serving full-time. They were inspired by the volunteers dedication to serve, and the volunteers were in turn rejuvinated by our groups new eyes and refreshing enthusiasm. God bless the Franciscan Volunteers!

Inspiration via Text Updates

2011-03-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

Its Already Wednesday! I can't believe it, and I'm sure our groups are even more shocked!

I have heard from several groups via text message, and I thought you would like to read their comments as much as I have:

Katie @ Manchester : "Phenominal Day at the International Institute :) Thanks so much for helping us set this trip up. It is already so powerful"

Sarah @ Mississippi : "Everything is going really well! We worked at the foodbank yesterday and a family had us over for dinner. Today we are back at the camp. A close friend dropped off grits and sausage for us for bfast! Yum!"

Becca @ Phoenix : "Had a life-changing conversation with Mary (the founder of Maggie's Place). Thank you for sending me here. "

Kelly @ D.C. : "Everything is going so well...me and Chris couldn't have asked for a better trip!"

Kristen @ Manchester : "I can tell you that our group has found God in so many instances here. The perserverence and courage of the people from The Congo, Nepal, and Sudan is astonishing and remarkable..."

Sam @ Appalachia : "Took the group to a blue grass jam...It was amazing. Ashley and Sabrina sang Amazing Grace and we had a great dance session! ... Tonight helped us to connect to the communiy as a whole and our service helps us get to know different families."

Mitakuye Oyasin' (We are all Related)

2011-03-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

South Dakota Leaders, Matt & Kristen checked in with me last night, and said they have all really enjoyed their experience on the Lakota reservation.

They went to the Wounded Knee memorial on Sunday, and have listened to several Lakota people speak about their experience on the reservation and their feelings about the way the Lakota have been treated in our country. Our group said that while these stories have been hard to hear, they are wiser for it and have a greater understanding of the injustices the Lakota have faced.

Their service work is heavy labor doing everything from working in a metal yard, to building bunkbeds. our students said it surprised them that some people on the reservation have never slept in a real bed before. Their good work continues!! I look forward to getting another update in a few days!

Cor Unum...One Heart...

2011-03-01T13:27:00.001-08:00

So...I haven't yet heard from the group at Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence, MA just yet...but as I was updating our Campus Ministry facebook page I came across a new Cor Unum page...designed by no other than our own Saint A's students!

Not only are our students helping serve hundreds of meals this week with great respect and dignity to the guests of Cor Unum, but they are also helping Cor Unum set up facebook, twitter, and doing video documentaries. This will give Cor Unum great exposure in efforts to long-term serve even more people in Lawrence. Great job Lawrence group!!

One Love, One Heart...Jamaica

2011-03-01T13:06:00.000-08:00

Sara and Caitlyn just checked in from sunny St. James, Jamaica! They have had a powerful experience at 2 Mustard Seed locations this week. They began at Jacob's Ladder, a home for adults with severe special needs and are now at Blessed Assurance (shown in picture) which is a home for children with special needs.

At Jacobs Ladder, the group started their first service experience by being asked to move melted candlewax down a hill to another building. (We tell our students to be prepared to do whatever is asked of them...but who would have thought!!) They were laughing hysterically as they tried to explain lugging sloppy wet melted wax in buckets down a hill. They said they were practically wax sculptures themselves by the time they were done! They were moved, however, when some of the adults who live in that community wheeled over wheelchairs to help them transport the wax. A true reminder that we are all there to help one another, and nothing is one-sided.

At Blessed Assurance, they have been digging ditches, and filling them in with rocks, to prevent erosion around the compound. On top of that physical labor, they wake up at 5:30 every morning to wake up, bathe, and dress the kids with their care givers.

They said that they each have their "favorite kid" and that the kids are really melting their hearts. Despite all their early mornings and hard work, the group couldn't have sounded more joyful.

So proud of our Jamaican Missionaries...

Joycelin

All Groups are having a great time...

2011-03-01T06:10:00.001-08:00

In the last 12 hours or so I've heard from the following trips:

Manchester

New Orleans

Maryland

Fuller

Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time so far!

The Manchester group went to an African mass at St.Anne/St. Augustine Parish on Sunday, which was a great way to kick off their week getting to know the refugee families here in town. They began work yesterday at the Beech Street school, in classes with children new to this country who barely speak any English - and also at the International Institute helping greet new refugee families and get them settled here in Manchester. They sent me a text message just saying thank you for giving them the opportunity to get to know these people and hear there stories. Could we ask for anything better than that?

The New Orleans group (despite their flat tire this morning) has been having a great experience of Mardi Gras!! They had the opportunity to watch 3 parades on Sunday, only blocks from their Hostel. What a unique experience they have! They began yesterday serving at the St. Joan of Arc school, and look forward to going to the Hurricane Katrina museum this afternoon. I am sure they will learn a lot about the history of the children and their families whom they are serving this week. Tomorrow, the Principal, Ms. Frost will be taking them for a tour of the lower 9th ward.

The Maryland group has been having a powerful week at the Benedictine School for children with Autism and special needs. They are each helping in a classroom, doing everything from home-economics to gym class to writing essays. They told me they have learned a lot about how to communicate and a lot about how despite their differences they are having an amazingly fun time with the kids (such as bingo and evening swimming!).

Fuller sent me a brief text message just saying they were having an amazing trip. On Sunday they called me from an Alligator Farm, where they were about to see baby alligators up close, and they were so excited! I look forward to hearing more from them soon about the house they are building for a family in Minden, Louisiana!

I will be in touch when I hear more!

Joycelin

Taking on the Big Apple!

2011-02-28T12:21:00.000-08:00

Our New York City group is working hard all over the Big Apple!

Here are some of our students sorting clothes to be distributed to various homeless shelters in the area.

Great work SBA NYC!

Sunday's Gospel Hits Home for SBA Groups

2011-02-28T09:28:00.000-08:00

So far, 3 trips have called to share stories with me about Sunday's Gospel reading that they heard at mass together. From Maine, to Phoenix, to Mississippi, groups were touched by the message they received at mass.

They all shared that as they come down off the craziness of mid-terms and comps, they were reminded not to worry or wish time away, but to take in each moment of the day in service to God. The Gospel reminded our students that they are there to first serve the Kingdom and justice of God, and the rest God will provide. What an amazing way to reflect on their SBA experience as they begin their service!

I thought you would like to read this Gospel passage again:

Gospel: Mt 6:24–34
Jesus said to his disciples. “No one can serve two masters; for he will either hate one and love the other, or he will be loyal to the first and look down on the second. You cannot at the same time serve God and money.
“This is why I tell you not to be worried about food and drink for yourself, or about clothes for your body. Is not life more important than food, and is not the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, they do not harvest and do not store food in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you less worthy than they are?
“Can any of you add a day to your life by worrying about it? Why are you so worried about your clothes? Look at how the flowers in the fields grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his wealth was clothed like one of these. If God so clothes the grass in the field, which blooms today and is to be burned tomorrow in an oven, how much more will he clothe you? What little faith you have!
“Do not worry and say: What are we going to eat? What are we going to drink? or: What shall we wear? The pagans busy themselves with such things; but your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart first on the kingdom and justice of God, and all these things will also be given to you. Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

(above print by Fritz Eichenberg "Jesus in the Soupline")

Feels like H.O.M.E...

2011-02-28T09:19:00.000-08:00

The group a the H.O.M.E co-op in Maine just checked in with such enthusiasm, it is no surprise that this is our longest running SBA site...21 years of service and grace!

Ashley and Pat, our fearless leaders, shared that the group has been deeply moved by the "home" that HOME creates for their guests.

Ashley and Bianca have been working in the office, where they met Mary, who has 3 bachelors degrees, but also has a disabled daughter at home which requires her to be home much of the time, and struggles to make ends meet. H.O.M.E provides her with meals, so she can be home to help her daughter.

The rest of the group is working and getting dirty in the garage, or chopping wood in the barn. They are trying to come up with a mural or woodcarving project that they can leave behind to beautify H.O.M.E, as the groups before them have done.

Despite the FOOT of snow they got today, nothing could hold these students back from serving those at H.O.M.E. ! Great work, you guys!

Peace.
Joycelin

D.C. having a great time at the Lincoln Memorial!

2011-02-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

D.C. is enjoying their day off taking in the scenes of our Nation's Capital, before they begin their service with The Pilgrimage tomorrow!

Mississippi learns from the Community

2011-02-27T19:37:00.001-08:00

Just heard from Jon and Sarah, leading in Aberdeen Mississippi, working with Glenmary Home Missioners. They spent the day learning a great deal from their new community (an working hard beginning their incredible raking project! - see left.) .

The group went to mass this morning, surprised to see that there was no priest present for Sunday mass. In fact, there are so few priests in this region that they only have a priest at mass 1 or 2 times a month. They were warmly welcomed by their community of faith, and learned that despite Catholics being the minority, that the hospitality was overwhelming.

I think the group has learned a lot today about not taking anything for granted. The homilist spoke of seizing each day and embracing each moment, and the group said they couldn't have heard a better message at the start of the week, as they are all still reeling from a busy week of mid-terms. I think this group is really off to a great start!

Peace.
Joycelin

SBA 2011 Underway!

2011-02-26T15:05:00.001-08:00

Hello friends and family,

Just an update that all trips left for their service sites this morning with great success! Despite the snowy weather yesterday, we had a glorious sunny day for travel today. All trips departed for their sites as of noontime, and many of them have already arrived. We have currently heard from Boston, D.C., Jamaica, Lawrence, Maine, Manchester, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, and South Dakota. (Philly is about an hour away from their destination as of 6pm.)

I expect to hear from Appalachia, New Orleans, Fuller, and Phoenix throughout the next hour and a half or so. They had longer distances to travel, but I will do my best to update this blog tomorrow with some great travel stories from all of our trips!

Another wonderful year of SBA is underway...with many great experiences just on the horizon!

-Joycelin

Jamaica is on their way!

2011-02-25T04:08:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

The Jamaica group departed this morning, and they are taking off over Manchester at this very moment! We met at 4:00am in Campus Ministry, and beat the snow, so it seems like they are off to a very good start.

Thank you to all of you who joined us for our Sendoff mass last night! It was a lovely evening, and a great way to kick off such a wonderful experience. It was great having you here!

Be in touch when I hear Jamaica is landed in Montego Bay!

Joycelin

SBA 2011 Departs in 11 days!

2011-02-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

Dear friends, family, participants, and site coordinators of the SBA Program,

We are on the verge of kicking off our 21st year of Spring Break Alternative trips at Saint Anselm College. Our students have been working hard to fundraise for their trips, and our student leaders are working diligently to make sure their trips will be exceptional this year!

Here are a list of our 2011 Sites:

Appalachia Service Project - Chavies, Kentucky
Boston Homeless Services
The Pilgrimage in Washington D.C.
Fuller Center for Housing - Springhill, Louisiana
Mustard Seed Communities - Montego Bay, Jamaica
Cor Unum Meal Center - Lawrence, Masssachusetts
H.O.M.E. - Orland, Maine
Manchester Refugee Resettlement - Manchester, New Hampshire
The Benedictine School - Ridgley, Maryland
Glenmary Home Missioners - Aberdeen, Mississippi
YSOP - New York, New York
St. Joan of Arc School - New Orleans, Louisiana
St. Francis Inn - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Andre House and Maggie's Place - Phoenix, Arizona
Re-Member - Pine Ridge, South Dakota

Please continue to check on our blog for group arrival announcements on Saturday, February 26, and throughout the week of 2/26 - 3/5 for stories and updates of the good work all of our students will be doing around the country!

Peace,
Joycelin Tremblay, Campus Ministry

Just a few SBA 2010 pics!

2010-03-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

New York group with Br. Simon from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

SBA Navajo Nation on the Rez

The Mississippi group with Br. Terry, aka Santa

We Love SBA Manchester, and they loved their week!

This is the mural the Hudson group painted at the Anne Marie House, a quote from Saint Anselm surrounded by the handprints of all the family members living there.

SBA Fuller in front of the house they helped build.

SBA D.C. at a downtown soup kitchen.