The Margins Service-Learning Immersion Trip is a service trip that Campus Minister Mr. Dan Masterton created to give students hands-on service opportunities and learning experiences in impoverished communities in Chicago. The trip takes what each Bishop Noll Student learns in Theology class and applies it to real life circumstances, using our faith as service to the community.
¨I think service is an important part of our faith because our faith cannot be solely prayers and thoughts; it must be actions as well,” Masterton said. “I want to give students a chance to do service in a new way – through relationship building, experiential learning, and group discussion.”
The students who attend this field trip are given the opportunity to put their faith into action. On the trip, the students visited a Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and a facility for the diocese of the Precious Blood. That night, everyone participated in a Night Walk to experience what it’s like to be a homeless citizen. Those who take part in the trip then spend the night at the parish of St. Viator on the North Side of Chicago. The next day, the group helps organize a food drive and pass out the food to those in need at the parish of St. Columbanas.
“I definitely encourage other kids to go on this trip,” said senior attendee Nate Bibat. “This trip really helps you understand that we take many things for granted such as our family, our homes, and what we already have instead of what we want. It also helps us understand that the person we see asking for spare change is a human being with a background and a story.”
For those students that are interested in the trip, there is a lot that can be taken from it. Service and faith is put into action at a level most students can’t experience on just a normal retreat, pushing those who attend to step outside of the box.
“It really gave me a new insight on the people who are less fortunate than us. Some parts of the trip, for me, were uncomfortable but helped me understand what these people have to go through everyday of their lives,” Bibat said.
A Margins III trip is anticipated to occur in April. Six to eight upperclassmen are needed to commit to set the trip in stone. Also, Mr. Masterton has asked Administration for at least four dates in the schools calendar next year to be able to continue The Margins trip.