Reflections from Maria Morawa

The following reflection was submitted Maria Morawa.  Maria Morawa was one of our two student leader for the Guatemala trip and was making her second visit to San Lucas.  

"I went both years, and it was really cool to see the way the two trips were so different because of the different dynamics of the groups. It was wonderful to have people recognize me and to get to see all of the beautiful people and sights again. My favorite part of the trip is definitely the people, but one of the moments that sticks out to me the most from both years is the children's mass. Tim and I were running late to breakfast, but we saw children going into the church and so we peeked in and realized it was the children's mass. We decided to stay for mass. The children sing at the top of their voices, and they're all so beautiful. They kept turning around and looking at us and smiling. It was so nice to see children singing at mass and being so happy to be there. It really showed off the grateful and joyful spirit of the Guatemala people, and it's one of the moments I really hold dear. The trip was an experience that challenged me to look at life with grateful eyes and a joyful heart."

Maria Morawa (right) and Carolyn Creneti (left) with a few children.  

Reflections from Kavitha

Kavitha Lobo is one of our freshmen students who participated in the Guatemala trip this year.  She submitted the following reflection on her experience:

"When I initially signed up for the trip to Guatemala over spring break I simply thought I would be doing some volunteer work with some of my peers. I had no idea how life-changing the week would be, although many students who had previously gone had told me it would be. The country had not only breath-taking views of vast lakes and greenery, but also a people rich in kindness and cultural traditions. I bonded very quickly with the other Cornell students as we all learned about a region that is so spiritually wealthy regardless of its economic status. I hope to return to the beautiful country and continue the work which the mission there promotes in order to help the local people and to learn from them how to improve myself and the world around."

Reflections from Nicholas

The Cornell Catholic Community 2013 Guatemala Immersion Experience has come to an end.  Unfortunately the group was unable to blog during their time there but over the coming weeks we will be posting thoughts, reflections, and pictures from our group's experiences.  If you are a member of a past Guatemala trip experience and would like to share a reflection please e-mail Joe at jem479@cornell.edu.  

Our first such reflection comes from Nicholas Buscaglia who is a Sophomore at Cornell.  He reflected on his Guatemala experience with the following thoughts: 

"This trip was a truly amazing experience and I thank God that I was blessed enough to be able to have the opportunity to attend it.  Traveling, deepening my faith, working, conversing, and learning with the locals, and making new friends all made the trip that much more memorable.  I think that it's fair to say that we took away more than we left, whether that be an increased appreciation for Guatemalan and Latin American culture, different methods of practicing Catholicism, humility, or a newfound love for humanity.  If you asked me to pick my favorite part of the trip, I honestly wouldn't be able to.  I could not have asked for better people to spend my Spring Break or a more beautiful country to do it in.  Thank you so much to Andra Bensen and Fr. Dan for organizing the trip, and to all of my fellow students who made this an experience that I'll remember forever."

One of the projects we often work on down in Guatemala is building stoves.

Picture of Father Stanley Rother's memorial.  Fr. Rother was martyred during the Guatemalan Civil War.  

During the Friday's of Lent statues from the local Churches are paraded around the town.

Guatemala 2013 Trip Has Begun!

Our Guatemala 2013 Spring Break Trip has officially begun.  Our group left from Anabel Taylor Hall at midnight on Thursday, March 14 / Friday, March 15th from Anabel Taylor Hall.  They caught their first flight from Newark, NJ at 6:10am and should land in Guatemala by around 10:30am (Guatemala Time).  

This year's group is a wonderful mix of 10 students (seniors, juniors, sophomores, freshmen all represented!), two Cornell Staff Members (Fr. Dan is now an official Cornell Staff member), Andra Benson (a member of a local Catholic Church who helped start the Cornell Guatemala trip), and a friend of our community that works with local migrant farmers.  They're a wonderful mix of experienced and first-time travelers.  We have some students that are familiar with Spanish and others who have little experience speaking Spanish speakers.

Since the fall semester our group has gathered several times for a simple meal, prayer, opportunities to get to know one another, to learn a bit about the Guatemalan culture, and learn about Catholic Social Teaching.  All of these gatherings meant to prepare them  for this trip!  Please pray for our group this week as they immerse themselves in Guatemala culture, experience the Catholic faith practiced in a different culture, serve the people of San Lucas in whatever ways they are asked, and encounter Christ in new ways!  

It is our hope to continually provide updates of the trip and experiences from our students throughout the week.  Feel free to comment and share your thoughts (and experiences if you are an alumni of the trip).  

Our 2013 Guatemala Group (minus Margaret and Debbie)

161 Things Every Cornellian Should Do in Guatemala

Welcome to our Cornell-in-Guatemala blog.  Since the Catholic Community began sponsoring Spring Break Service Trips to San Lucas Toliman Mission we've wanted some on-going way to pool our memories and share our stories.  Nearly 100 Cornellians and their friends have made this life-changing journey since 2005.  Each year one or two return for a second visit.  Some have even joined the long-term volunteer staff at San Lucas.

All of you who have traveled with the Cornell Catholic Community can contribute to this blog.  In fact, I strongly encourage you to submit your memories and stories and a few well chosen pictures to Joe at jem479@cornell.edu.  

In an effort to 'get the ball rolling' I'd like to suggest we also follow the example of the Cornell Sun and construct our own list of 161 Things to see and do in Guatemala.  You might find something interesting in the list that you didn't do on your first trip.  A great reason to make another visit!

Here are my first contributions:

1.  Experience a full week without being attached to a cell-phone, an iPad, an iPod, or a computer. 

2.  Think in 'quetzals' rather than dollars.

3.  Ride in the back end of an open-bed truck to a work site.

4.  Pray at the site of the martyrdom of Father Stan Rother in Santiago.

5.  Take a ride on a tuk-tuk.

6.  Find a shop that sells 'pastel de tres leches' and try some.

7.  Teach 'las niñas' how to 'saltar a la cuerda' (jump rope) 

8.  Visit the CFCA office and meet Fr. John Goggin 

9.  Let 'los niños' show you how to 'dar unos toques' (kick a soccer ball around) 

10.  Find the final resting place of Msgr. Gregory Schaffer.

We encourage you to add your contributions to our comments section!

Sincerely ---

Fr. Daniel McMullin