A team of students and teachers from Paul VI Catholic High
School in Fairfax boarded a plane to Bánica, Dominican
Republic, in June on a mission to serve others. Two mission
teams comprised of 25 students each were joined by faculty
and parent chaperones to dig holes for latrines, lay cement
floors and participate in the spiritual life of the community
in Bánica.
Two Arlington diocesan priests, Father Jason Weber and Father
Keith O’Hare (Paul VI ’90), live in Bánica and
minister to the community. They welcomed the Paul VI teams to
assist with outreach efforts to local residents.
Both mission teams were unsure of what to expect from the
trip but came away feeling they had changed the lives of
others and also experienced a change within themselves.
“I went in expecting to have a change in perspective on the
world,” said senior Nation Revor. “I thought I’d leave
realizing how lucky we are and how the rest of the world is
so unfortunate. (But) to see that some of the happiest people
on earth have some of the fewest possessions changed the way
I view myself.”
In addition to performing manual labor, mission participants
spent time in prayer, attended daily Mass and found time for
hiking and visiting the local market. Students also played
sports with local young adults and games with local children.
“Going to daily Mass … just having that connection
spiritually, even though there was a language barrier, was
really special,” said senior Madison Barnett.
During the trip, student missionaries were able to stay
connected with their parents, siblings and supporters back
home.
“Friends, family members, teachers and neighbors traveled
with us through our posts on Facebook, our pictures, stories
and the sharing of the experiences that changed us forever,”
said Joyce Krolicki, Paul VI coordinator of campus ministry.
Prior to their departure for Bánica, the students held
fundraisers to offset the cost of travel, food and lodging
and also to pay for materials they would use while working in
Bánica.
“The money raised through donations at Marathon Madness was
used to build a house in Bánica,” said Katie Tinsley,
Paul VI student life director. “Not only did PVI donate the
money, but our students volunteered their time and while on
the mission trip got the opportunity to build a house for a
family.”
The mission trip to Bánica, now almost an annual event
at Paul VI, is truly a mission of mercy for the local
community but also is a means of deepening faith for the
students who participate.
