by Father Christopher M. O’Connor
“Hey Father, what’s next?” That was the question many of the young adults that attended World Youth Day with me in Rio asked.
I responded, “Jamaica, the other one.”
Last year, I had been asked by a group of young adults I met at Catholic Underground to be a chaplain on a mission trip to Jamaica, West Indies. I was so moved by the experience, I knew that I wanted the youth from my parish to go.
As soon as we returned from World Youth Day, we began preparations to work with Mustard Seed Communities in Kingston, Jamaica. We had a total of 17 missionaries, 11 from Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in South Jamaica, Queens, and six from Long Island. The mission was led by Father Eric Fasano of the Diocese of Rockville Centre and myself. Each volunteer was responsible for raising at least $950 to help cover our expenses and to support Mustard Seed programs.
We arrived on the island of Jamaica on Jan. 4 and were taken to our base for the week, Sophie’s Place. In residence are severely handicapped children, the majority of them in wheelchairs. They cannot perform the most basic physical functions by themselves.
On Sunday, we escorted a number of the children to the local parish for Mass. Later that afternoon, we visited Matthew 25:40, a home for boys, 11 years of age and older who have HIV/AIDS. The afternoon was spent playing soccer with them and interacting in different ways.
Work began in earnest on Monday when we began our first work project, which was to paint the chapel and the adoration chapel at Sophie’s Place. The team took to the task with much enthusiasm and joy as we listened to praise and worship music. We finished the chapel by the end of the day and then celebrated Mass along with the children.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, our work projects took place at Jerusalem!, a compound that services severely handicapped children, mentally challenged adults, a house for girls, 11 years of age and older with HIV/AIDS and a series of cottages for children under 11 with HIV/AIDS. Our projects those two days were to farm, by pulling up weeds and dead plants so that new seeding could take place. Even in the hot blazing sun, the spirit of the team would not wither.
At noon each day, we celebrated Mass with the community, and then after lunch, we spent the afternoons playing with the children. We played soccer, Frisbee, had sing-a-longs and on Wednesday chanted the Divine Mercy Chaplet together. It was very sad for our team to leave the children, since they had captured our hearts.
On Thursday, we visited My Father’s House, the headquarters of Mustard Seed Communities. We interacted with more handicapped children, some senior citizens, served lunch for the seniors and learned more about the mission of Mustard Seed. We also got to meet the founder, Msgr. Gregory Ramkissoon. Later that day, we also visited Mary’s House, a home for unwed teenage mothers.
Friday was a beach day to relax.
We would be leaving the following day, which began spending the morning with the children of Sophie’s Place, who amazed us by radiating such joy despite their troubles.
Each evening during the week, the team gathered for prayer and spiritual conferences. Any hesitation we may have had disappeared quickly when we were able to see Christ in each child and each person we encountered. The team bonded as a family and is a remarkable group of young people. Their selfless service was an inspiration to me and to others. It was very sad for us to leave, and all agreed that they wanted to return.
I was asked again “Father, what’s next?” Their enthusiasm for the Gospel is contagious.[hr] Father Christopher M. O’Connor is the pastor of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, Jamaica.
