“They become more open to another culture’s way of life. They become
more simple and more appreciative of the needs of others. It’s so
rewarding.”
The trip also has a profound impact from the girls’ perspective.
Senior Riley McConnell of Gibsonia has spent the past two summers
in Patzún and will be staying for a month this July. She says she has
formed a special bond with the people of Patzún.
“When I first went there, I went with the expectation of inspiring
the kids and playing with them. I wasn’t expecting them to have such
a tremendous effect on me. It’s hard to put into words how much the
kids have impacted my life,” she says.
Senior Helen Flaherty, who lives in Churchill, agrees.
“This trip has taught me more about myself than I ever thought
possible. It is deeply humbling. It taught me that I want to make a
profession out of nonprofit work, global studies and the Spanish
language,” she says. Flaherty, who has traveled with the mission twice
before, also will be spending a full month in Patzún this summer.
This will be the first mission trip for junior Caroline Albacete of
Monroeville. She’s fluent in Spanish—her family is Argentinian—and
she’s looking forward to traveling to the Central American country.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the orphans, listening to them
speak in their dialects, and attempting to communicate with them as
much as possible,” she says. “Visiting other countries to do mission
work will enrich your education and your spiritual life.”
Also attending the trip are Abbey LoBello and Mary McCarthy,
both of Edgewood; Summer Conley and Leah Culig of Shadyside;
Hannah Baranowski of Wexford; Isabella Massaro of Fox Chapel;
Claudia Lenhart of Gibsonia; Mary Kathryn Daigle of Fineview; Tess
Zentarsky of Bloomfield; Bridget Deasy of Munhall; Megan Nagy of
McMurray; Abigail Cavelier of Latrobe; Sophie Young of Squirrel Hill;
and Caroline Chung and Grace Alexandar, both from Mars.
Upon their return, the girls are required to deliver presentations
about their experience to their home parishes, at St. Paul’s Cathedral in
Oakland, and to Student Council.
“These girls realize at a young age that the world needs their
goodness,” says Donahue. “These mission trips highlight all the good
they have on the inside, so that they can come back and give back, and
go do something generous for something else. It’s a great message these
girls have to give.”
Oakland Catholic High School holds numerous fundraisers
throughout the year to support the mission trips. It always welcomes
additional donations. For more information or to donate, please
contact Dorrie Donahue at 412.682.6633. n
Woodland Hills | Summer 2016 | icmags.com 43