Due to unprecedented demand, Christendom College in Front
Royal is expanding its mission trip program to include summer
in-service. Previously, students could serve only during
spring break. This year, students can commit to two months in
Alaska, Chile, Patterson, N.J., and the Bronx, N.Y.
“We’ve grown big enough and popular enough that we’re able to
take this new initiative now,” said Zachary Smith, public
relations specialist.
This spring, 30 percent of the student body will participate
in mission trips – a record for the school. Students
fundraise for the trips themselves. During the trips, they
typically assist charities and religious organizations with
duties such as catechesis and teaching proper hygiene.
Julie Cipriano, assistant coordinator of Christendom’s
mission trip programs, said she hopes these mission trips
will allow students “to see Christ and human dignity in
everyone.” While the communities they encounter may not be
“blessed materially,” she wants students to realize that they
are “wealthy in community, faith and culture.”
“There are many ways to be rich,” she said, “and I want the
students to understand that in their hearts.”
Stoddard can be reached at [email protected].
