Recap of Faith in Action: Our 2026 Youth Mission Trip to Duluth
Sometimes the most powerful lessons of faith happen when we step outside ourselves.
This summer, our youth and adult leaders traveled to Duluth, Minnesota, where they spent a week serving others through hands-on work, prayer, fellowship, and reflection. Throughout the week, they were challenged to live the Gospel by seeing Christ in every person they encountered.
Our teams served in a variety of ministries throughout the Northland. Some teams went to nursing homes, spending time with disabled veterans and other residents through games, conversation, and simply listening to their stories. Others volunteered at the Union Gospel Mission, where churches throughout the region work together to provide food, shelter, and hope to neighbors in need, including families in Superior, Wisconsin.
One of the most meaningful projects was packing more than 600 weekend food backpacks for children who may not have enough to eat when school meal programs are unavailable. Filled with shelf-stable breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items, these backpacks help bridge an important gap so that no child goes hungry over the weekend.
Other groups helped restore a former Benedictine sisters' residence that is being transformed into a foster home for children in need. Some worked alongside migrant workers planting trees in the Northwoods, helping preserve the forests and parks that are vital to the region's beauty, economy, and future. Another crew beautified local churches through landscaping projects.
While the work was important, perhaps the greatest lesson was learning that serving others is about more than completing a task. It is about recognizing the dignity of every person, offering compassion, working together, and discovering the joy that comes from giving of ourselves.
Each evening we gathered for meals, reflected on Scripture, shared stories of where we had seen God at work, and prayed together. Our students faithfully prayed the Rosary every day, often both morning and evening, remembering the many prayer intentions entrusted to us by our parish family. Those prayers traveled with us throughout the week.
A mission trip is never about comfortable accommodations. We slept in the basement of an older church, shared simple meals, and adapted to whatever each day brought. Yet these small sacrifices reminded us that mission is not about our comfort—it is about opening our hearts to God's work.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our families, parishioners, scholarship donors, fundraiser supporters, and everyone who prayed for us. Your generosity made this experience possible, and your prayers accompanied us every step of the journey.
As you watch our mission trip video, please know that due to privacy laws and out of respect for those we served, you may not see many photos of the individuals we worked alongside. Instead, you'll catch glimpses of the friendships, service projects, prayer, and joy that filled our week.
Thank you for helping make this mission possible.
We are already looking ahead to next year's trip! If you feel called to serve as an adult leader or volunteer, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Maureen LeGros via email at legrosmaureen@gmail.com. We look forward to another incredible journey of faith, service, and fellowship.