When freshman David Gaillardetz decided where to go for spring break, he had one thing on his mind: giving his time to others.
This past spring break, 147 Saint Louis University students traveled the country on 11 different mission trips sponsored by Campus Ministry.
“I am a social work major, and being Catholic, I am called to help those in need and help those who are suffering,” Gaillardetz said. “Giving those people your time and attention means the world to them, and it shows them that people do care.”
Gaillardetz traveled to Galveston, Tex. as he and other students helped a resident whose house was devastated by last year’s Hurricane Ike.
The students painted a room and rebuilt walls in the home.
“Ike was the third biggest natural disaster to hit the United States, and most people don’t even know or remember when it hit,” Gaillardetz said. “These people are reminded of it every day, and we are showing them that they aren’t defeated, that people do care and they are willing to listen.”
Campus Ministry hosts these trips every year to allow students to “integrate” the Jesuit mission.
“These trips are the integration of the service of faith and the promotion of justice,” Director of Campus Ministry Lisa Reiter said. “It’s a part of the Jesuit Mission, and we try to lure that out and apply it on these trips.”
Sophomore Lauren Schuster also spent her spring break at a mission trip in Mobile, Ala., where she interacted with people who had disabilities.
“It was a really cool experience, and I think I did make a difference,” Schuster said. “I enjoyed the trip, and I encourage others to go on these trips next year.”
The Mobile mission trip group even brought along a special SLU reminder, since they purchased a Build-A-Bear Billiken doll before leaving.
“We wanted to bring something that symbolized SLU, and we ended up taking pictures of it everywhere we went,” Schuster said. “We also ended up giving the people the Billiken at our going-away party.”
