Below is Fr. Andrew's report on the work the group did on Wednesday.
Dear Friends and Families,
Today we all had one mission: we needed to finish all the concrete before the end of the day. There was a lot to do at both houses, and it was going to be a real challenge to get it all done. Today we had all the supplies we needed right from the beginning, which was a huge help. Today was also one of the hottest days so far, so a short break in the shade was about all that we could catch during the work.
We still started out our day with a morning reflection in the Calvary church/tent. It is important to begin with that spiritual motivation as well. What I am doing during the day does not just affect me here and now; I’m not just throwing cement on the walls of a house. I can take advantage of the work I do to form my spirit, my willpower, and most importantly, my love for Christ.
We definitely needed a good lunch to keep up our strength, and once again the ladies helping to prepare the food outdid themselves. It really shows something when there are never any leftovers…
Everyone worked long into the afternoon to get all the cement finished, as well as getting the plywood on the roofs. Mass started a bit late because everyone was trying to just get one more thing done before it was time to stop for the day. The pressure was on, but everyone was able to rise to the challenge, and we finished all the concrete, on both houses! Congratulations to everyone for their hard work!
After a dinner of hamburgers prepared once more by Fr. Dan and a couple of volunteers, we all sat around a bonfire, sharing some of our “highs and lows” of the week. It was very inspiring to see what made an impact on each one, what experiences each had that he would take back with him.
Tomorrow is a lighter work day. We have to put on the corrugated metal for the roof, and paint. We are looking forward to seeing the houses fully completed! God bless!
In Christ, Fr. Andrew Kolenda, LC
Attached: hard at work mudding the Calvary house; raising the roof; a view of the Calvary church on top of a hill, where we have our meditations and Mass; having fun around the bonfire
Dear Friends and Families,
Today we all had one mission: we needed to finish all the concrete before the end of the day. There was a lot to do at both houses, and it was going to be a real challenge to get it all done. Today we had all the supplies we needed right from the beginning, which was a huge help. Today was also one of the hottest days so far, so a short break in the shade was about all that we could catch during the work.
We still started out our day with a morning reflection in the Calvary church/tent. It is important to begin with that spiritual motivation as well. What I am doing during the day does not just affect me here and now; I’m not just throwing cement on the walls of a house. I can take advantage of the work I do to form my spirit, my willpower, and most importantly, my love for Christ.
We definitely needed a good lunch to keep up our strength, and once again the ladies helping to prepare the food outdid themselves. It really shows something when there are never any leftovers…
Everyone worked long into the afternoon to get all the cement finished, as well as getting the plywood on the roofs. Mass started a bit late because everyone was trying to just get one more thing done before it was time to stop for the day. The pressure was on, but everyone was able to rise to the challenge, and we finished all the concrete, on both houses! Congratulations to everyone for their hard work!
After a dinner of hamburgers prepared once more by Fr. Dan and a couple of volunteers, we all sat around a bonfire, sharing some of our “highs and lows” of the week. It was very inspiring to see what made an impact on each one, what experiences each had that he would take back with him.
Tomorrow is a lighter work day. We have to put on the corrugated metal for the roof, and paint. We are looking forward to seeing the houses fully completed! God bless!
In Christ, Fr. Andrew Kolenda, LC
Attached: hard at work mudding the Calvary house; raising the roof; a view of the Calvary church on top of a hill, where we have our meditations and Mass; having fun around the bonfire