Live From Around the World

Missing My New Orleans Family

March 14, 2011, New Orleans

Posted by Missy Benson

We are back!  If we had never left town I would not have had an opportunity to get to know this amazing group of students and adults.   What other way can you get to really know people other than to take a trip together?   We were all out of our comfort zone.  And that is how we were able to hear each other.  I was able to hear Pete when he said “we have no control over where we are born,” especially since we had just seen various “social experiments” on the poor.  We were able to understand the importance of rebuilding a home since we listened to the stories of the homeowner, we heard each other and tried to respond in kindness.   

There are many reasons to be proud of St Paul’s youth on this trip.  Examples include how our students were present – really present to hear sermons at St Anna’s and the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, to share insightful contributions during morning and evening reflections,our time to pray and discuss the day, to bring voices together for singing and giggling, and to show each other how important it is to help one other.  The bottom line is that when we surround ourselves with people who want to help others, we keep giving, we spread the good word, we create a good cycle that has the potential to keep growing.  

Thank you, St Paul’s, for providing this opportunity for me to travel with these extraordinary people.   Thank you Cindy for the NOLA master list, the files, books and maps.  Thank you to Cindy and Bryan and to all the parish for starting such wonderful New Orleans traditions for us to continue.    Let’s keep our NOLA family alive and well and let’s continue to provide ways for us to get to know each other.  I am proud to know my New Orleans family.  It’s all good!