We integrate service learning into our curriculum in numerous ways. One service learning experience often offered is a mission trip. This June, Ms. Miley, and Father Doug took a group of students to Costa Rica. Father Doug shared how important “service initiatives are because they bring our quest of living good Christian faith to life through giving .” Compassion and love are at the heart of all the service learning trips.

There were many fantastic moments on the trip. One encounter that the group all treasured was attending mass on Sunday, June 5th, for the Pentecost at a church in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Even with different languages, traditions, and backgrounds, the group felt the Holy Spirit uniting them with the entire congregation.

Father Doug said, “I am incredibly proud of our Cathedral students and how they modeled Christ-like love with every person they met and in every interaction they had.”

The students provided us with their favorite memories from the trip:

Tommy Pfeiffer – My favorite part was making new friends from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and ziplining over the cloud forest.

Bella Sargeant – My favorite experience in Costa Rica was experiencing the culture, meeting all the people there, and seeing the beautiful views.

Kylie Katterhagen – I loved seeing the volcano and exploring a National Park!

Dakota Orth – Seeing and experiencing a different culture was eye-opening. The way of life is so much slower there. This trip reminded me to be grateful for the little things, slow down, and take in life.

Alex Schroeder – My favorite experiences from the trip were ziplining through the forest and meeting other people from the U.S. and Costa Rica.

Max Pfeiffer – My favorite memory from the trip was visiting an elementary school in Costa Rica. It opened my eyes to how lucky and how privileged we are. We played soccer with the children, which made them so happy. They laughed and smiled the whole time.

Quinn Miley – The best part was ziplining over the forest and seeing all the wildlife.

We are always proud when our students exemplify Christ’s love to others and appreciate God’s beautiful creation.