‘The JUST Do It!’ Lenten day of service and justice

By Rob Marco
Special to The CS&T

The 2004 Lenten Day of Service and Justice, sponsored by the Office of Youth and Young Adults of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, kicked off the spring season, March 20, with the theme “The Just Do It: How to Walk the Talk.”
The day gave young adult Catholics the chance to live out their Lenten call to service, while challenging them to go deeper to discover the justice dimensions of that calling. The event attracted more than 80 young adults from the greater Philadelphia area for an engaging day of service.
The day began at the University of Pennsylvania Newman Center with an opening presentation given by Anne H. Ayella, assistant director of Nutritional Development Services for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Ayella challenged the young adults to make service a personal affair.
“Once you know someone’s name, it’s hard to turn your back on them,” she said. She spoke of her work with Catholic Relief Services: coordinating projects such as Project Rice Bowl. This project uses financial contributions to fund domestic and international development projects in order to alleviate hunger and poverty.
Capuchin Father Paul Dressler, OFM, archdiocesan coordinator of Young Adult Ministries, described the Lenten Day of Service as the perfect young adult event because it combined what he calls the “three S’s” of young adult ministry: service, socializing and spiritual enrichment. “What we’re doing is Eucharist,” he said.
The young adults were then sent out to various sites throughout the Philadelphia area.
David Bentzley, 29, said he felt the calling.
A resident of Havertown, Bentzley came to the Lenten Day of Service and Justice expecting to be doing yard work but ended up playing with children at the Stenton Family Manor while their mothers attended the Health Fair.
Young adults were given the opportunity to get more involved in service projects through the volunteer fair, which took place after everyone reconvened at the Newman Center.
Representatives from organizations such as Maryknoll and the Red Cross were present to provide information and to speak with those who were interested in getting involved.
Cindy Mahlberg, 25, described the Lenten Day of Service and Justice as “an incredible experience.” She was one of the young adults who visited Our Brother’s Place, a homeless shelter for men located at 9th and Hamilton streets. Mahlberg, a law student at the University of Pennsylvania, spent the day talking with residents and hearing their stories.
“What struck me was how intelligent they were and how many gifts God has given them,” she says of those residing at Our Brother’s Place. “What I really saw was Jesus in these guys.”
For more information on how to get involved with Young Adult Ministry, contact Rosey Stracquatanio at (610) 649-9476, or e-mail rosey_yam@yahoo.com.

Rob Marco is a graduate of Penn State University and is a member of St. John the Evengelist parish.