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A recent week with the Albany Diocese's Service Action Learning Team (SALT) was not Lexi Athens' first experience with community service. But the immersion program reaffirmed the connection between service and faith for the teen.

"I thought, 'Well, one week of service isn't much; I could give up the time and go,'" said Lexi. "Now, I see that faith can blend into the real world through service."

As she spoke, the dining room of St. John/St. Ann's Outreach Center in Albany slowly filled with people arriving for the weekly free lunch offered to those in need.

Indeed, the room appeared more like a restaurant than an outreach center: The SALT teens served the visitors chicken a la king, spinach and rice while music played softly in the background and guests were able to relax and enjoy their meal.

Summer step-up
The afternoon spent serving at the outreach center was just one of the projects planned for the 14 teens participating in SALT. This year's group also included youth from St. Matthew's parish in Voorheesville, St. Thomas in Delmar, St. Margaret of Cortona in Rotterdam Junction (a mission church of St. Joseph's in Schenectady), the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany and other parishes and schools.

For over a decade, the program has been giving local high school youth the opportunity to spend a week "immersed" in the community, gaining a better understanding of the needs and social justice issues that face their neighbors.

"Many of these kids have already done service work, but this is connected to the Church," said Dave Stagliano, director of the program and diocesan associate director for youth and young adult ministry. "This connects service to their faith."

Sites of service
Throughout the week, the teens help out all over the Albany Diocese, from organizing for the Equinox dinner on Thanksgiving and working at the Regional Food Bank in Latham. They help out at local daycare centers and visit the Catholic Charities Housing Office's shelters, Mercy House and Waldorf House.

Along with these opportunities, the teens visited the New York State Catholic Conference to learn more about Catholic social teaching. The Catholic Conference advocates for the state's bishops on public policy concerns.

The youth were also guided on a "justice walk" through Albany.

"It was great to go out into the streets and see what's out in the world, so close to our hometown. It puts you into their environment and helps you understand," said Carla Turpin of St. Pius X parish in Loudonville.

Despite their different parishes and hometowns, the 14 teens grew close during their time together.

"This week is absolutely life-changing," said Shannon Mc-Shane of St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Delmar. "Within the first day, all of us became like family."

For Casey Seleman of St. Pius, the social aspect of the week was one of her main reasons for participating: "I wanted a chance to get out, meet new people and, at the same time, see the poverty in my area."

In God's image
The group ended their days with evening prayer services where they reviewed the events of their day, prayed together and were asked, "Where did you see Jesus today?"

Aidan Porter of St. Pius shared that, although his mother signed him up for the program, he knew it was time he did something for the community. "I have to say it has helped my faith, just by meeting people who trust that God will provide for them," he concluded.

"It has really opened my eyes," Lexi affirmed. "It goes so much farther than we know. We may not interact with those we're helping, but knowing that some people will be better off because of us -- that's really nice. It's a week of service with awesome people and you get to make a difference."

(08/12/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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