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SATF Mission Trip a Moving Experience
June 25, 2008
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“I think the most amazing thing was being able to see how other people live [in extreme poverty]. It is one thing to read about it and see pictures, but it is another thing to see it in person and talk to these people,” reflected Nathan Zielinski, age 14, from Gaylord. He was one of the 16 young men who made the trip accompanied by six adult chaperones.
The SATF is a ministry to Catholic boys across the Diocese of Gaylord, affording them the opportunity to support one another as they grow into Catholic men and discern what God might be calling them to do with their lives. Bishop Patrick Cooney established three goals for this group when it was formed in 2006: Prayer; Service; and Learning about the Catholic faith tradition. Though this trip was primarily about service, prayer and learning were also a large part of the experience.
“Probably more important than the actual work, was the exposure we all had to God’s people in need,” said Fr. Geyman. “We ate most of our meals with the local residents at two different Capuchin Soup Kitchens. We were also led on a tour of the poorest parts of the city by Capuchin priest Fr. David Preuss, OFM-Cap. He explained many of the underlying causes of poverty and desperation for these homeless people in Detroit,” Fr. Geyman added.
Another very inspirational aspect of the trip was a talk given by a former prisoner who now works at a bakery run by the Capuchins. One of the boys said, “I thought the bakery was really awesome -- to see the change they made in [the former prisoners’] lives … Even though there are so many people that the Friars are not able to help, it’s worth it even if you only change one person’s life.”
The group spent the evenings at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and were able to use the gymnasium and chapel. Each day the group gathered for morning prayer and to reflect on the goals and experiences of the trip. Sr. Mary Finn, a member of the seminary faculty at Sacred Heart, addressed the group about discipleship and ministry to the poor and disenfranchised.
The trip also included a tour of historic Blessed Sacrament Cathedral which was led by the rector, Monsignor Michael LeFevre.
Another highlight of the trip was a tour of the Fr. Solanus Casey Center. Solanus Casey, was a Capuchin Friar who spent his life serving the poor – more than 20 of those years at St. Bonaventure in Detroit. Often known as “The Doorkeeper,” Fr. Solanus reached out with compassion providing soup for the hungry, kind words for the troubled and a healing touch for the ill. The documentation for His cause for sainthood was studied and approved by the Congregation for Causes of Saints in 1995 and on July 11 of that year he was named Venerable Solanus by Pope John Paul II. The next stage being pursued is that of “Blessed”-- or beatification-- which requires, among many things, an “approved” miracle which occurred through his intercession.
During the winter SATF Retreat, some of the boys had watched a movie about the life of Fr. Solanus and so were eager to learn more about the holy priest and his ministry. The tour included time to pray at the tomb of Fr. Solanus.
“The Fr. Solanus Casey tomb site was very powerful,” noted one of the young men on the trip.
The last event of the weekend before the drive home Sunday was attending Mass at St. Charles Parish where Fr. Preuss serves as Pastor. The variety of music and cultural styles woven into worship was another eye-opening experience for the SATF members illustrating the variety that exists in our Catholic family.
“My greatest experience this weekend was witnessing firsthand the generation of youth that God is bringing up in the Church,” commented Will MacMaster from Harrisville, one of the adult supervisors on the trip.
The St. Andrew Task Force is a group that helps young men (age 10 to 18) discern the direction that God is leading them as they grow into Catholic men. Parents, priests, youth ministers, and other adults are welcome to join in the effort. If your parish would like to host a meeting or event, or if you would like further information, please contact Fr. Don Geyman at 989.732.5147 or via email at dgeyman@dioceseofgaylord.org.
