House of Charity

Seeing the Light of God
By Megan Peña

In January 2010, I was given the opportunity to travel to New Orleans, La., to the House of Charity with a few friends from the College of Mount St. Joseph and our campus minister Kate Welsh. I have been involved with a lot of service projects at the College, but never one that affected me quite like this.

I never thought I could have so much fun, help so many people, and figure out so many things about myself in one week. I had been contemplating doing a year of service after graduation and this was the final push to me doing just that. I had an amazing time living with the Sisters of Charity. These women were so funny, had so many great life stories, and really made you see the light of God through their eyes. They are so caring and their relationship with the Lord is amazing. Some of these women did just as much work, if not more, than the students did. They even showed us how to have fun. None of the students understood how S. Renee could beat us all at Crazy Eights and Uno when she had claimed to have never played before, or when all the Sisters showed us how to really dance at Mulate’s restaurant in New Orleans.

The other thing that really touched me on that trip was the actual affect that we had on the people whose homes we were helping to fix up. They were so grateful and full of joy even though they had lost their homes and most of their belongings. Joyce, one of the women we helped while we were there, gave us some of the things she had collected over the years. She also cooked a huge meal for all of us to enjoy. The people in New Orleans changed the way that I view my life completely. Their graciousness and gratitude made me want to do God’s work forever. This opportunity really made me value my life and everything in it.

 

College of Mount St. Joseph student Megan Peña (front row, second from left) participated in the January service trip to New Orleans, and was one of the first houseguests of the House of Charity.

 

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