"This experience has taught me that patience takes time and that help is slowly coming.  Watching the news on New Orleans is a lot different than actually experiencing it.

Volunteering, I have seen the reactions on many faces and the service that we have provided for them brings in hope and a continuation with a closer connection with God. 

I kept in my mind that everything experienced is real and that the service I have contributed has been looked at by other people. It felt good to be able to help out and to give back to those were less fortunate."

"For me, one of the biggest impacts this trip had was to find out that there was anything that had to be done still. 

Like a lot of people, I assumed things had been taken care of a long long time ago.  There were moments down there when I felt like I was in a third world country, not the most powerful nation on earth. 

The spirit and generosity of the
people of New Orleans gave me hope for them though...everyone had a smile for us!"

"My name is J.T. O’Donnell and I am a proud member of the Youth Group here at Saint Barnabas.  When I was offered the opportunity to go to New Orleans , I jumped at the idea.  I have always been very interested in doing service work and I have wanted to go to New Orleans ever since the hurricane hit. 

Because of my interest in community service, Linda Rhoads, our Youth Minister, suggested my name when Sister William Noreen asked if there were any Youth Group members over 18 that would like to go to New Orleans .  Through their efforts I was put into a lottery to go and I was selected.  

We spent four days doing work on individual houses, such as insulating, sheet-rocking, and painting.  We found these projects through local churches.  Many of them had parishioners write in with what they needed done and we went and did those things.  Another major project was making and handing-out bagged lunches to people who were displaced by the storm. 

It’s amazing to think that only four days can change someone, but in those four days two things became very clear to me.  I was able to see hope in a new way.  A hope that I saw in the smiles of those people we helped and in the smiles of the other volunteers as we worked.  This was a hope that is given and shared by everyone and just keeps us all going. 

The people there went through one of the worst possible things they could: losing everything to a storm that would give nothing back.  But they have held on to their faith, and they have made it through.  It reaffirmed the feeling for me that our faith can truly help us through the hard times. Secondly, I learned that we all must be grateful for what we have and appreciate that we have it, because it could be taken away at any moment.  In four days, I learned to cherish everything and appreciate life in a way I have never before. 

I would like to thank Sister William Noreen for allowing me to be the Youth Group member representing our parish.  I would like to thank Linda Rhoads for presenting my name to Sister William Noreen, and for communicating with Sister William Noreen and Sister Maryanne Ruzzo to make the initial contact.  I would further like to thank the Sisters of Charity Federation for making this trip possible.  I had the great pleasure of meeting eight very special Sisters of Charity who taught me so much by their example.  And finally, I would like to thank Father Peter for believing in me and allowing me to share my experience with the rest of our parish."

"The opportunity to serve with the Sisters of Charity was a blessing.  This trip to New Orleans was my first... and I quickly grew to understand how easy it is to love the city as one’s home.  For me, our exchange with New Orleans residents and each other, volunteers, and sisters alike, highlighted God’s presence among us.  We truly shine when in fellowship and in his name. 

Whatever the task at hand, we give forth more effort than we think is imaginable, thanks to our strength as a community for a simple and common understanding, God is love and we are his celebration.

To continually stay immersed in my faith is one of my hopes time and time again. In sharing such a hope God has been so alive in me this trip."

"As a native of New Orleans, I was truly touched by how selfless and willing everyone on the trip was.

It really reminded me that people of New Orleans are not forgotten, as long as there are wonderful communities like ours coming down to help those who need it."