Hear from some of our students about their Habitat experience
York and Lancaster, Pennsylvania: March 16 - 22, 2003

Habitat for Humanity allowed me to experience both the feelings of friendship and community. It was an amazing experience that I would not know how to even describe in words. I am thankful that I was able to go and all those who allowed for the trip to happen. I can't wait for next year!
–Julie Caubet

This was truly an amazing experience.  Every individual that we had the pleasure of working with was very kind and willing to help.  The group dynamic was really great, and it was extremely rewarding to work with individuals who were going to live in the house that we were actually building.  It really made me realize that we were making a difference.
–Matt Bader

Working side by side with the my fellow students, the regular Habitat volunteers, and the Habitat families was an inspiring experience.  I got to watch part of the "American Dream" coming true for the man who was going to own the house we were working on.  It truly expanded the meaning of service to include helping others to help themselves.
- Alison Brennan

I had a great time during the whole week of Habitat at York.  I felt really good knowing that I was doing something productive for others.  I love it and maybe I can go next year. 
–Aida Cando

Fayetteville, North Carolina: March 16 - 22, 2002

The trip was absolutely inspiring. Not only did we help the families whose houses we worked on, but we gained such a sense of community among ourselves. I made many new friends, and strengthened my relationship with not-so-new ones. I was truly blessed to be able to share such an experience with so many wonderful people.
-Alison Brennan

I found a more meaningful definition of what Lent is all about (for me anyway)... I feel Lent is sooo much more than just a period in time when one doesn't eat meat on Fridays and gives up something small or minute. There's even more to it than preparing for joyous celebration of Easter. In addition to those things, Lent is a time where we renew our promises and also take God's invitation. I feel God calls us all and we must be open-minded enough to sense that call no matter how it is presented. I honestly felt called to go on this habitat trip. It has increased my faith, allowed me to meet plenty of people that I feel comfortable with, and given me the chance to serve the less fortunate. I would love to see habitat for humanity become a catholic center yearly event, thus opening the door and allowing other individuals the chance to do God's will. Thank all trip members and FTO, I will hold a special memory of you guys!!!
-Jeff Ward

I had a great time on the habitat trip. I only knew one person when we left, and I met a bunch of awesome people. I was glad I could spend my spring break with people who shared my beliefs and wanted to volunteer like I did. Working at the habitat site was so much fun, and Tom, Colon and all of the other habitat people were so nice to all of us. I got to know a lot about Father Tom too; now he isn't just one of the priests who celebrates mass, he's one of my friends. The 25 people on the trip had fun no matter what, whether it was playing football, manhunt, going out for bingo of just driving around in Fayetteville. I feel blessed to have been able to go to North Carolina and help a family less fortunate less fortunate than mine. Going on the trip definitely helped my faith grow. Deciding to go on the trip was one of the best decisions I've made in my life. I wouldn't change a thing about the entire week.
-Mike Rabbath

It was an exciting and learning experience for all of us. We learned how to work together in an environment that we were not familiar with. It was fun.
-Joe Battinelli

The essence of this trip was to put our faith into practice in the real world, doing the Lord's work in serving our brothers and sisters. Community service, no matter where the community is, shows us the face of Christ up close, something I think we all need to keep our faith fresh. Our journey helped us to expand our horizons, bring new faces into what was becoming a somewhat exclusive community, and grow in fellowship as we encountered physical and cultural challenges along the way. It was an experience I'll not soon forget.
-Jeff Calia