NOLA, 2012
Students visiting with 3 Christian Brothers
Zambia, 2012
Rob Droel '12 with the Christian Brothers
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
IIM: Zambia 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Zambia 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Mission Trips: An Invaluable Cliché?
The
formula is clear: go to college, go on a mission trip, find yourself.
Matthew
McGinnity returned to school as a 23-year-old junior. Matthew Romano finally
found something he cared about. Jacqueline Keeley turned down an acceptance
letter to graduate school.
So has humanity
finally stumbled upon a proven recipe to the time-old question of
self-discovery?
“It may be
cliché to 'find oneself’ through a mission trip,” said Tiffany DiNome, director
of the Iona in Mission program at Iona College. “But it is a cliché because it
has happened so often. And there is validity behind that. All clichés start
somewhere meaningful.”
It is estimated
that more than 1.5 million Christian-Americans take part in such mission trips
annually, with an estimated $2 billion spent annually as well, according to Dr.
Robert Priest, a missiology professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School,
in a 2008 article in Missiology journal.
Business is
booming for short-term mission trips. And while the attraction may lie in the transfixing
testimonials of those whose lives were drastically changed, the reality is that
each student emerges from the experience differently.
DiNome states
that such trips are invaluable for students to gain a new perspective both on
how others live and to see oneself in an entirely new light. It isn't until one
is immersed in the culture, stripped of creature comforts, when one realizes
how simply others live without question. And this realization, DiNome says,
will never be clichéd.
"It doesn't
have to be a life-changing event,” said college sophomore Romano, “Sure, you
could learn a lot about yourself. But I think it is the little things, the
minute details that you see that matter most."
As an undecided
sophomore, he scrambled to declare a major. He had no idea of what he wanted to
do—so he chose criminal justice, a ‘secure job path.’ Then, he went to New
Orleans.
Romano had found
his passion, and it lay right in front of his eyes. As he worked tirelessly to
finish a simple brick walkway at Trinity Lutheran Church, surrounded by the
still-devastated Ninth Ward, he learned more about himself than ever before.
Time, he said,
is the most valuable thing one can give. Now a public relations major, he hopes
to represent a nonprofit organization in the future.
These short-term
mission trips often do not last for more than two weeks. The activities of
students are typically mapped out, hour by hour. Yet when placed within these
thorough schedules, students are directly faced with tragedy—how they respond
is up to them.
Jacqueline Keeley, a senior at Iona College,
chose to attend a mission to Cochabamba, Bolivia, on an emotional whim. Her
best friend was leading the trip, she had nothing else to do over spring break,
and a part of her knew something was missing from her life.
“I was always one of those people who thought
it was a cliché,” said Keeley, “I just thought I was going to be helping to
change the lives of the people of Cochabamba, but they were the ones who
changed me.”
Perhaps fitting
the cliché all too well, Keeley has remodeled her life entirely based upon
these precious moments. She will be returning to Bolivia after Christmas to
work at El Centro de Infantil, a preschool, to teach. She will be able to
reunite with the children that loved her without question—that taught her to
love unconditionally.
While mission
trips can easily be dismissed as clichéd opportunities for students to discover
themselves, the intentions behind them can be nothing but pure. Matthew McGinnity,
who travelled to Haiti his senior year of high school, employs his haunting
memories of the citizens living in humble poverty there to appreciate what he
has.
A resounding
consensus confirms that students attending mission trips do emerge with something
in common. It may not be a perfectly packaged identity or purpose, but it is
newfound appreciation for life. It’s no wonder why they are so popular.
"My experience gave me more than I could ever imagine.
I want to succeed, I want to pursue my
dreams," says McGinnity, "I just want to deserve
it."
-By
Mackenzie Mennucci
Iona in Mission: Agape
During the week of May 14, nine
Agape founders, Brayton Shanley and Suzanne Belotte Shanley, presented on topics of non-violence and vegetarianism while Prof. Michael Boover (Anna Maria College ) educated the Iona contingent about the Catholic Worker movement founders’ Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, specifically, the latter’s vision of the “agronomic university.” The Shanley’s “grease-run” car was also a topic of interest as participants learned about the upkeep, costs and benefits of this vehicle. Finally, a trip to a local land conservancy trust included a presentation on sustainable forestry practices.
The days at Agape began with inter-faith prayer services and ended with reflection sessions that included time both for personal sharing and silent meditation. On the last night participants serenaded each other with guitar and ukulele solos as well as original poems. On the morning of the last day, clearly attuned to the good times he was missing, a large black bear came for a visit. As he circled the house, he happily found grease cans that provided a yummy, vegetarian fare for breakfast.
Tics, rain, and a formidable furry friend did not prevent the Iona contingent from benefiting greatly from this enlightening, educational week provided by the hospitable and inspiring Agape hosts and founders, Brayton and Suzanne.
-Carl Procario-Foley, Phd.
Iona in Mission: Go New Ro-Why apply to GNR by Colleen!
Incoming freshmen should consider applying to Go New Ro because it is an amazing introduction to the Iona and New Rochelle communities. Two years ago when I was an incoming freshman I, like most incoming students, was nervous about entering college and was concerned about fitting in and making friends. Go New Ro gave me the opportunity to meet new people while getting a chance to be involved in serving the New Rochelle community and learning more about Iona and myself.
During the experience I was able to meet other students who were passionate about service and eager to get involved. I was also able to meet upperclassmen and faculty members who were excited to meet us and help make our first experience at Iona an extremely enjoyable and positive experience. Go New Ro gave me the reassurance that I would fit in at Iona and make friends. By the time August rolled around I felt confident about entering this new environment knowing that I already knew some other incoming students as well as upperclassmen and faculty members that I could look to for support during my transition into college life. If an incoming freshman is worried about their transition into college, wants a preview into some of the opportunities Iona has to offer, or is just ready to get involved at Iona as soon as possible then Go New Ro is the perfect experience to apply for.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Iona in Mission: Go New Ro 2012
Name: Michele Sampson, MS
Department/Position: Director of Off-Campus Housing
How does Go New Ro connect to your position here at Iona? My job involves helping students transition as successful citizens into the greater New Rochelle community. Go New Ro helps me nurture young civic leaders who know a lot about New Rochelle!
Why do you love Iona? I love Iona because of the people who work here! My colleagues all really care about the work we do with students and are committed to each student's success! It's a very collaborative and supportive environment centered around helping students!
Why is Go New Ro such an important experience? Go New Ro is one of my favorite programs each year because I get to see a new group of incoming students each year fall in love with Iona and New Rochelle
Favorite New Rochelle Restaurant: Hands down: Coromandel Indian Cuisine on Division Street!
