In Their Own Words: Immersion Trip 2014

Thirteen Hope College students went to the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels in Chicago to be immersed in the life of the Franciscans of the Eucharist. Here are some of their reflections on that experience: “My trip in three words: life-changing, growth, and revelation.”

“My week at Our Lady of the Angels Mission was spiritually enriching, socially stimulating, and physically challenging; I learned how Catholics are working to find and foster Christ in impoverished West Humboldt Park.”

“Living simply with a bunch of Nuns helped me to see the way Christ lived and it allowed me to dive into the contemplation of everything about my life that I was struggling with.”

"I enjoyed experiencing the Franciscans' way of life, learning to enjoy the simple tasks."

“Honestly as a whole the trip helped heal me of fear that I had towards people in poverty, and helped me let go of what I want for my life and instead be more orientated towards God's will.”

"God revealed to me that he loves me despite my worst sins and invites me to pass that on."

"God revealed to me himself, by seeing his suffering on the cross in a more personal way like never before."

"I have come closer to God in my faith and have come away with a deeper desire to be committed in my faith."

"I learned how incredibly blessed I have been in my life."

"The ability to serve others while growing internally."

"I love my leader’s commitment and openness during the trip. Also their genuine love for God was wonderful to see."

"The heavy focus on, and balance between, work and prayer, but also enough free time to just spend leisure time together."

“I appreciated the opportunity to learn about myself through service.”

“I loved drawing close to God daily and seeing him teach me the ways in which he wanted me live.”

“This week brought peace.”

Our Lady of the Angels Immersion Trip

The first Catholic-themed immersion trip at Hope College was an initiative of the Saint Benedict Forum and was generously co-sponsored by Hope College's Campus Ministries and Union of Catholic Students as well as Holland, Michigan's St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church. The theme of the trip was poverty, religious life, and social justice in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. The group lived with and worked alongside the Franciscans of the Eucharist who run the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels.

Humbolt Park, once a vibrant, middle class area, is now one of the poorest areas in Chicago with a 42% unemployment rate and 67% high school dropout rate. Fr. Bob Lombardo came to Chicago in 2005 at the request of Francis Cardinal George and eventually, the Franciscans of the Eucharist was created to help rebuild the neighborhood and keep a Catholic presence in the area.

Hope students worked directly with the Franciscans of the Eucharist, witnessing social (in)justice firsthand as they cleaned and organized community spaces, worked with senior citizens and youth at the YMCA, volunteered at the food pantry, and engaged with the Build-On Program at Orr High School (where they planned curriculum and taught classes about students' futures after high school).

Students came away from the trip with a heightened understanding of what the religious sisters and brothers do at the mission as well as the history and evolution of Humbolt Park. Incorporated in students' daily activities were prayer, Bible study, services such as daily Mass and holy hour, and faithful discussions with other visiting student from the University of Tennessee.

Abby Reeg, a Hope College Regional Advancement Director and adult mentor on the trip, said she was "impressed with the Catholic and non-Catholic students' willingness to serve with loving and open hearts, to have meaningful discussion, and to support each other in their faith journeys."