Newman Center students serve at Mother Theresa Shelter

On a recent Saturday, a small group of students from the Newman Center of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi woke up early to prepare for the first Service Saturday event of the school year. For some of them, the drive back to their hometown over the Labor Day weekend would have to wait until after the activity.

Campus ministers Layna Souza and Chiara Catipon first offered a community-building moment over breakfast through an icebreaker activity, prayer and reflection. The youth and campus ministers reflected on the Gospel phrase, “‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” Mt. 25:40. It was the key phrase to be lived together, an opportunity to put faith in action.

Then cars were loaded, and not even the torrential downpour could dampen their spirit as they drove to the Mother Teresa Shelter for the scheduled coffee and ice cream social. As a first-year student, Jamie Zinsmeyer commented, “Even if we serve but one client, it will be worth it.”

As clients began to trickle in, students saw firsthand the challenge of living on the streets, completely exposed to inclement weather. Two students were so moved by the clients’ need for dry clothes that they drove to a nearby Goodwill store and bought a few shirts and jeans. The other clients had multiple servings of coffee and ice cream, served by students with a selection of toppings of the client’s choice. Even if only for a while, a human connection was created.

In the end, while having pizza for lunch back at the Newman Center, students began to share their impressions. First-year student Nya Hernandez shared: “The feeling I felt when I saw the smile on that man’s face was a feeling greater than what I feel after buying a brand-new shirt for myself.” For sophomore Maxim Moore, the entire experience was “humbling. It made me realize how much I have. I complain about getting up early, but at least I have one!”

Plans are underway for the next service project: a care package drive for migrants and refugees at the Respite Center in McCallen.