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Servant Leadership in West Virginia
Over April vacation, I traveled to West Virginia to serve for a week at Bethlehem Farm as part of Xaverian Global Encounter (XGE).
It was a trip I’ll truly never forget. Bethlehem Farm, a Catholic community, prides itself on the four cornerstones: community, simplicity, service, and prayer. Throughout the week, we experienced these as we immersed ourselves in an unfamiliar setting, prepared to help those in need.
The first stop on our journey was Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where we stayed the night before finishing the trek to the farm. Split between two large SUVs, packed to the brim with luggage, we settled in at the hotel before making our way to the battlefield. “Seeing the battlefield put everything into perspective,” said sophomore Lucas Sarkar. “It hit me that this was the place where the battle really happened, and seeing the sunset and grass fields was unique.” The next day, we went to mass at Saint Francis Xavier’s Church in Gettysburg, which once served as a field hospital during combat. A beautiful stained glass window in the front of the church shows nurses tending to wounded soldiers. After that powerful experience in Gettysburg, we traveled to the farm and were greeted with the words “welcome home” from caretakers Eric and Colleen Fitts.
Eric and Colleen have invited groups to stay in their home for over 10 years, giving guests the chance to gain hands-on knowledge of serving others. Our Xaverian group was joined by a group from another Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School (XBSS), Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury. The first night before bed, a caretaker at the farm (who it turns out is a graduate of Malden Catholic, yet another XBSS), focused on those cornerstones of prayer, simplicity, community, and service. This set the stage. Through the next five days of work on the farm, each student would experience these in his own special way.
A variety of different service opportunities were offered throughout the week, ranging from home crew to working on the roof of a woman’s trailer. Home crew was no easy task. We were in charge of cooking an organic risotto to serve over 30 people. This was in addition to cleaning the farmhouse, from washing the bathrooms to folding laundry.
Another work site was a house about 40 minutes away from the farm, where students built a deck. Using chop saws, jigsaws, and many screws, little by little, floorboards and railings were put into place. This was not only a time to work, however; it was also a great time to get to know the caretakers. Sophomore Patrick McNamara said, “I had great conversations with the caretakers about faith and service, and doing good for others rather than for yourself.”
Working with Farmer Tim was one of the highlights of the week. His interesting past as a college football offensive lineman turned semi-pro mountain biker who lost 90 pounds in six months intrigued us all. His dog, Blackie, who is three-quarters wolf, barked goodbye to each group as we left every morning. Farmer Tim is a master of agriculture. He taught us about composting, bio-acceleration, and all about plants and anatomy. Through planting and weeding at local farms, students were able to get a better sense of what it is like to work on a farm without using artificial pesticides.
Shelli’s house was definitely a favorite for us. We worked to build her a new roof, since the two-inch-thick existing roof on her trailer was leaking. Getting up onto the framework of the roof took balance and dexterity, but we got the hang of it after a while. Putting up pieces of the framework and working with impactors and drills 15 feet above the ground was certainly a new experience, and it demonstrated the trust that Bethlehem Farm has in the students who come to work there. With minimal training, students are able to make a difference in the lives of those in need because of the teachings and dedication of the Bethlehem Farm caretakers. And for this, I am grateful.
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Fax: 781-320-0458
Directions | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
EIN (Tax ID Number): 04-2314036
Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.
