'Make A Difference' Project

“We need to feel proud to be Catholic again.”

For 90 youth from St. Raphael and St. Celestine parishes in Dubois County, this collective need is becoming a reality.

Grace Co-Op, an outreach ministry in the St. Raphael and St. Celestine parishes, sponsored a Lenten project called “Make a Difference.” Each student – from 5-year-olds to high schoolers – was given $5 to use to make a difference in the community in any way that they desired.

“90 youth took the $5 ... but the impact was way beyond that. While many youth did their own project, many involved other members of the family and community, so more than just the youth got to cooperate with God's Grace,” said Deacon Mike Seibert, who promoted the project through homilies and helped engage the youth in the activities. “We all need to feel like we are connected to the Church and are a part of the larger Church’s family.”

Here are a few examples of youth who participated in the “Make a Difference” project:

Kelly Vonderheide used $5 to buy ingredients to bake cookies for prisoners. “From this project God has taught that no matter who it is and what their life has been like, we need to show them the amazing and everlasting love that God has for each and every one of us.” Vonderheide reflected. “In this case, baking cookies was my symbol of God’s love.”

One high school junior (name omitted to remain anonymous) took $5 and broke it into five $1 bills, and wrote “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13” on each one. She then hid one in four lockers in her school, and left the fifth as a tip in a restaurant. “I have no idea who they are or if they even found it yet, but that was my goal. I want them to find it on a random day and know that God is with them.”

Kelli Reutman spent $5 to buy flowers at Walmart, and then gave them away to five different women in the parking lot. “I have always loved helping people, but I've never done so as an individual, only in a group at planned events. By passing out these flowers by myself I realized how such a simple and random act of kindness could affect people. It felt awesome knowing that I just made a stranger's day.”

Hannah Beckman, working with her two brothers and two cousins, used their $5 and other donations to bake and sell cinnamon rolls to benefit both a local nursing home and a family who had lost their home to a fire. She reflected on how this experience reminded her of her own blessings: “No matter how little or big you are, when you think you have it rough, somewhere out there, there are families struggling to put food on the table, and you look down and you have the world right in front of you.”

Perhaps most importantly, this project didn’t simply “end” with the youth. Most youth encouraged their families and friends to join in the project. “Next year, we’re going to do even better,” Deacon Seibert said. Not only does the Grace Co-Op plan to host the event again, but they are hoping that the whole community will be able to take part in the spirit of the movement: selfless giving for others’ benefit.

At the end of the project, each young person was asked to reflect on what God had taught them through “Make A Difference.” “I think they learned that true joy comes not from selfishly doing things for ourself, but we really experience joy by giving of our selves... our time, our talent, and our treasure,” said Deacon Seibert. “I hope that the kids got to recognize that even they can make a difference and that they are an important part of our Catholic Church.”