This year's alternative fall break trip was my second with CCM. Like my last trip, it was a great time to make new friends and serve those in need. This year we had the added bonus that our new Peer Ministry Coordinator, Anne Marie Wilson, graduated from UNC-Wilmington and knew awesome places to check out in town during our free time. As soon as we arrived in Wilmington, we were instantly welcomed by the UNCW Catholic Campus Ministry. They have an off-campus house that serves as their Newman Center. Their Campus Minister, Sr. Rose, was warm and welcoming and made all of us feel like part of the UNCW CCM family. Another friendly face that greeted us was Abby, their most active canine member!
Our service events began on Saturday at Good Shepherd Center, a soup kitchen where we spent the morning sorting and cleaning food donations. What's really cool is that they also redistribute extra donations to over twenty other organizations in Wilmington. Later in the day, we went on a technology-free retreat called "Thumbs Up" with UNCW, where we reflected on God's presence in our lives and spent an hour alone reflecting on the beach.
On Sunday, the boys helped Sr. Rose with yard work, while the girls painted porch and yard furniture, turning the red tables and green chairs to brilliant shades of UNCW blue and teal. Helping Sr. Rose and giving back to UNCW CCM was so rewarding and helped us show our appreciation for making us feel like part of their community. Later that evening for Mass, we were even invited to help serve, with Jordan Cottle as a Eucharistic minister and Jordan Jeter as a lector. Afterwards, UNCW made a great Sunday supper of spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread.
The next two days we worked with Sr. Isaac at the Tileston outreach program. St. Mary's Catholic Church in downtown Wilmington opened Tileston medical clinic and social outreach programs to better serve the community. They provide men, women, and children with emergency food packages, clothing, funding, guidance, and household start-ups. The first day, Jordan and I sized and folded sheets, while others sorted adult and children's clothes or fetched household goods for the social ministry's clients. The next day I worked sorting baby clothes and creating cute outfit sets with Grace.
Like last year's trip, the short break was a great time to get to know others in CCM, serve others and reflect on how we were lucky enough to be able to impact others' lives and serve God in the process.
