T.H.E. youth group members help local sister clear damage

By KENNY KEANE, Globe staff reporter
July 31, 2003

On a hot summer day, most people try to find a way to cool off - maybe in a swimming pool or inside their air-conditioned homes.

Earlier this month, however, several members of the To Heaven's End (T.H.E.) youth group spent a Sunday afternoon raking, mowing and clearing damage from a storm at the residence of Sister Mary Joel Kramer, BVM, who lives in Sioux City.

"I think service builds them a better community relationship with the church," said Mary Sam Hacker, leader of T.H.E. youth group at Immaculate Conception and Nativity parishes in Sioux City. "When you look at our lives as Catholics, a lot of it is based around service projects - whether it be volunteer work at church or to help our elderly. It gives them that aspect.

"These kids are willing to give up their time to do that. I think it's just a great influence that has come from home, too, on these young people for their service projects."

Along with two adult supervisors, three young men in particular - Ray Boyle, Chris Fergan and Gary Fitch - took time out to help Sister Joel, a long-time educator in Sioux City, who is now retired but volunteers her time with hospice.

Coming to the aid of this religious woman took on a more personal meaning for Fitch.

"Her and my grandma were actually really good friends," said Fitch, a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Sioux City. "When my grandma was dying, Sister Joel was there for support and to make sure everything was okay. It's good to pay her back because, since she was there for me, I had to be there for her."

For confirmation, Hacker said the students have to complete four service projects - two for church and two for community. Fitch, who will be a junior at Sioux City West, will be confirmed this fall. Boyle and Fergan, who will each be seniors at Sioux City East this fall, have already been confirmed, but Hacker said this continued service is just something they do above and beyond any confirmation program.

"They have all been taught that it's very important to continue to help people throughout their lives," she said. "I think that's of great importance. It especially shows a great, wonderful tribute back to the parents of what they've taught these kids and I hope a little bit of what they've learned in youth ministry."

According to Boyle, the importance of being in a youth group and volunteering for this type of service, particularly for someone like Sister Joel, is to be a part of the church and to profess God.

"They take a lot of time out of their day - those sisters do - and if we can help them out just two or three hours in a week, that's not hard," said Boyle, a member of Immaculate Conception Parish. "It really means a lot to them. They give a lot of their time to God in professing their faith. So it's probably fine for us to do it once or twice a week."

Fergan, also a Immaculate Conception parishioner, said his relationship with Hacker through the youth group has enabled him to help many people - even those he doesn't know, like Sister Joel.

"It's important to help the community out, have fun and do something different every once and awhile," he said. "It's good to see a smile on some of the older people's faces who don't really get to see a lot of people. You feel good after you're done because you know you've done something good for the community and for the religious community."

Aside from this instance of volunteer work, Hacker said her youth group has continuously worked on service projects.

"They have an 'adopt-a-grandparent' program, and we adopted the seminarians this past year, where we stay in contact with them through phone calls and mostly through mail because they're so spread out," she said. "They continue to visit nursing homes. They bake cookies every Christmas and deliver those along with the giving tree - Christmas presents for our residents in the nursing homes. This year they plan on expanding that project they already do into working with the Mid-Step homes."

Hacker said a youth ministry program helps the young people expand on their Catholic faith.

"It is available for all students - not just a special few. Everyone really needs to get involved - whether you're number one in your class or the bottom," she said. "It's not a personality conflict. It's not teen versus teen. It's a community-building spirit for teenagers to get involved in."