L.A. Service Immersion
Posted: February 22, 2009
Accompanied by faculty members Bernadette Troyan and Tyler Hansbrough, eight Bells from the Classes of 2009 and 2010 spent their holiday in Los Angeles sleeping on floors and carrying nothing but a backpack and sleeping bag, taking public transportation or relying on rides from others for their many activities and encounters.
The inaugural group stayed in the Boyle Heights area of East LA for 4 nights and in Downtown Los Angeles on Skid Row for the final 2 nights.
To read more and see photos of the trip, please see the link entitled “LA Immersion newsletter” to the right of the page.
The participating students were:
Matt Anderson (junior)
Brandon DelosReyes (junior)
Joe Fasano (senior)
Michael Fulcher (junior)
Jason Gee (junior)
Jerry Lu (senior)
Nick Paramo (senior)
Mark Yost (junior)
The following is a prayer that was written on Thursday by Jason Gee ’10 and that was used during the nighttime reflection session on Skid Row:
We are tired Lord,
We are tired in our legs, our bodies, and our eyes.
The exhaustion of today is overwhelming and heavy.
Yet who are we to complain?
Although our legs drag lazily,
We have never had to drag our livelihood in a metal cart.
Although we wiped the sweat from our brow,
We never had to wipe our pride away to survive.
Father, we see your children on Skid Row,
Our brothers and sisters,
And in huddled masses they sit patiently.
In their poverty they still believe in you.
They have faith that is stronger than any high from a drug.
God enlighten us with compassion and understanding.
Give us the ability to read personalities and not outer appearances.
Amen
