Unplanned, Unexpected, Unbelievable!

Nazareth Farm:  Unplanned, unexpected, unbelievable!

By: John Silva, St. Athanasius Parish Chaperone

On the Tuesday before the team (Jen, Brett, Sam, Rachael) was to leave for Naz Farm Karen asked Jen if I could go with the group.  Jen immediately called Naz Farm and secured a place for me to join the team.   On Saturday (Aug 17th), Fr. Colarusso and the morning Mass group gave us a blessing, crosses, and a nice send-off for our trip to Salem, West Virginia.  After a stop in Hershey, PA and overnight at St. Joan of Arc, sleeping on the floor at the parish school, we headed to West Virginia.  As we arrived at the farm we were greeted by the staff with “Welcome Home” greetings, but this was not our home (yet) so it was a little awkward.  Then we were hugged by each staff member and I thought, this is strange to be hugged by a group of people I do not even know.  This was just the start of the new encounters that would define our week and shape our experience of Naz Farm.

The first morning we awoke early to gather for a prayer service; prayer is an integral part of the Naz Farm experience.  We had prayer services in the morning before breakfast, prayer at every breakfast, lunch and dinner, a prayer circle before we left for our work sites, prayers before we started working at our work site (sometimes with the homeowner), two beautiful Eucharistic services, a rosary, a walking rosary and more.  Each prayer brought a sense of purpose, serenity and a sense of the beauty of our Catholic prayer tradition.   We then performed some chores around the farm (charity begins at home) and then had lunch followed by a hike to the highest part of the Naz Farm property.  It was a good 45+ minute hike and at the top we climbed two large rocks and listened to Matt proclaim Elijah’s search for God (1 Kg 19:11-13) from the mountaintop; it was very inspiring!

Each morning our crews would find out where we were working that day and what we would be doing.  We would drive to the work sites, sometimes an hour away, then meet the homeowner talking with them before starting our work.  I had a great crew of four young men who worked very hard without complaint; we got a lot accomplished and they seemed to have a real sense of how their efforts were really making a difference.   This happened each day except for Thursday when our crew was “home crew” which meant we helped around the farm, preparing meals with Sister Paula, cleaning the house and being the “greeters” when the rest of the crews came back from their work sites.  It gave us a real sense of service and appreciation for what others do for us that we sometimes take for granted.

The most unexpected experience was on Thursday evening when each volunteer would answer the question, “Where did you encounter God this week?”.   The answers were as varied and heart-warming as the volunteers who were there.  When it came to my reflection I had two main thoughts, the first was from an encounter with a man from the local community who told me, “You were meant (by God) to be here” and “Your daughter is a gift to you and you to her!”  Wow, what an unexpected encounter; it was as though God was speaking directly to me through this man!  The second was my realization and recognition of the inspiration I felt by seeing all the young people who are committed to their faith, reflective in their prayers and responses and the overall respectfulness of each!  It really gave a sense of hope in the future of the Church and a sense that God is moving in our young people!

Our last work day was an abbreviated day; we worked the morning only, had lunch and then shared “affirmations” with each member of the group.  It was encouraging to hear how each of us had grown to appreciate and recognize the talents of each member of our group.

We awoke Saturday morning, earlier than other mornings, and the realization hit us that the week was over; a sadness came over everyone yet with a thankful joyfulness of the week we had just experienced.   The last prayer service was very unique and really touched every volunteer, chaperone and Naz Farm staff member.   After the prayer service I shared a story about Rachael, because it was her birthday --- every person in the room was emotional, including myself.   I later heard from one of my fellow male chaperones; “Great, you even made the father’s cry!”  Before we left we had one more prayer circle and then everyone hugged each other; these hugs felt so much different from the beginning of the week because we had grown together in God’s love and were now truly friends!

So, what is it about Nazareth Farm … it is a great ‘microcosm’ of how to live our Catholic faith in prayer and service; in a word an “UNBELIEVABLE” experience!