Associates Ken and Michelle Barrie have worked in youth ministry for more than 40 years, but their commitment to accompanying young people on the Hearts of Hope mission trip never waivers. What started 25 years ago, as part of the youth ministry program at St. Patrick Church, continues to immerse teens in serving the poor and the marginalized.
Teens carry some of the livestock fencing to be installed.
This year’s mission trip drew teens from St. Patrick as well as from St. Joseph Parish in Bradley and St. John Paul II Parish in Kankakee. These young people served the needs of residents in Pembroke, IL — located just 25 miles from Kankakee and reported to be one of the poorest townships in the country.
“We still find Pembroke a place where we deepen our relationship with the Lord,” Ken Barrie says, “and it continues to develop our faith and perspectives on our journey.”
The week began with a kickoff Mass on July 14 at Sacred Heart Parish in nearby Hopkins Park, with Fr. Tony Taschetta as presider. It was Fr. Tony who conceived the idea of the young ministry group going to Pembroke Township, when he was pastor of St. Teresa Parish in Kankakee, along with Fr. Richard Pighini, then pastor of St. Patrick Church.
Work began the next day, on Monday, July 15. Projects included building a three-sided goat enclosure along with installing 450 feet of livestock fencing. They spread five tons of gravel at the Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, while another team did some weeding and harvesting, in a large organic garden whose produce goes to seniors and veterans in the community.
Afterwards, the teens packed bags of food for distribution in the community and at the weekly food pantry, before working at the food pantry distribution center.
Finally, they did some farm chores, from collecting eggs and feeding the goats and pigs, to herding the goats into their new pen. They even got the chance to ride some of the horses.
Weeding the large organic garden
During their five days, the young people drew visitors who came to see their work — and cheer them on. They included Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, who came twice; along with Fr. Matt Pratscher, Pastor of John Paul II Parish in Kankakee. They also visited with Pastor Kenny Staples of Greater St. Paul, and heard words of wisdom and faith from Reggie Stewart, who with his wife Brenda owns Run-Away-Kids’-Camp in Hopkins Park.
“We worked hard, bonded with our fellow classmates and learned a lot from all those we met and had the privilege of getting to know,” Associate Michelle Barrie said. “Twenty-five years and counting, God is good!”