Salesian Gospel Roads Toronto
By Andre Zonni
Salesian Gospel Roads took place from August 2-9, 2014 at the Consulate Missionaries Centre in Toronto. This was my second time taking part in this experience. This time around, I took on the role as a young team leader.
Something that stood out to me in particular about being a young team leader was getting to serve others, but in particular, living in community with great people who were all there for the same reason. It was a blessing to be able to serve others in different ways, because it really opened my eyes to the injustices that surround our world. All the people that we served revealed a lot to me about myself and my faith, particularly because I was able to see God work through the people we served. I remember one moment where we were feeding the homeless and I ended up having a good ten-minute conversation with the man we gave lunch to. He was talking about ways he can get off the street and how he can stay healthy within the time that he is there. One of the things he mentioned was going to church and praying. I really felt the Lord’s presence through this man because it showed me that those who may have nothing in the eyes of the world actually have a lot to offer in the eyes of God. It changed the way I view the homeless, because that man showed me that if we persevere and trust in God, we are capable of anything.
Another thing that stood out to me was being able to live in community with different people for a week, all of which were there to serve others. To be more specific, God’s presence was shown to me through my work group that I went out to our service sites with. Each of them brought something unique to the group. The bonding moments I had with the participants in my work group helped me to serve more effectively. Seeing each of them serve made me more determined to make a difference in the community, even after the retreat was finished.
Currently, I am volunteering in an Alzheimer’s Unit at a nursing home in downtown Toronto. When I applied for the position before the retreat, I wasn’t very excited about it. I finished my first shift three days after the retreat. It definitely wasn’t the same doing this kind of work without the people that I went out with to serve on Gospel Roads, but I know that if it wasn’t for what each of them revealed to me, by God working through them, I probably wouldn’t be there today.
Near the end of the retreat, when we were on our way home from a kid’s camp at St. Bernadette, it moved me to tears seeing the beauty of God working through others. It wasn’t just the people we served that made me feel this way, it was what God showed me through my work group. Despite how people look down upon certain groups in society, there are still such amazing Catholics out there that are willing to devote their time to doing the Lord’s work through serving others. Each of their gifts showed me what it means to be a child of God and what it means to be a leader. If it weren’t for my work group, I probably wouldn’t be the same person I am today. As Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
To close, I want to say that being a leader on Gospel Roads helped me to realize God is always going to be there in my life, despite the trials and tribulations that I may experience in my day. Serving others at the 5 different work sites and living in community with such amazing people helped to revamp my faith life from the darkness I was living in prior to the retreat. Though I still may struggle at times, this retreat helped me to be more confident in God’s grace and offer up my struggles to Him. After all, through serving others, I know that my suffering is minor compared to that of others. Serving them helped me to be humbled and trust in God with everything I do and for the people that need our prayers and service. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10
Something that stood out to me in particular about being a young team leader was getting to serve others, but in particular, living in community with great people who were all there for the same reason. It was a blessing to be able to serve others in different ways, because it really opened my eyes to the injustices that surround our world. All the people that we served revealed a lot to me about myself and my faith, particularly because I was able to see God work through the people we served. I remember one moment where we were feeding the homeless and I ended up having a good ten-minute conversation with the man we gave lunch to. He was talking about ways he can get off the street and how he can stay healthy within the time that he is there. One of the things he mentioned was going to church and praying. I really felt the Lord’s presence through this man because it showed me that those who may have nothing in the eyes of the world actually have a lot to offer in the eyes of God. It changed the way I view the homeless, because that man showed me that if we persevere and trust in God, we are capable of anything.
Another thing that stood out to me was being able to live in community with different people for a week, all of which were there to serve others. To be more specific, God’s presence was shown to me through my work group that I went out to our service sites with. Each of them brought something unique to the group. The bonding moments I had with the participants in my work group helped me to serve more effectively. Seeing each of them serve made me more determined to make a difference in the community, even after the retreat was finished.
Currently, I am volunteering in an Alzheimer’s Unit at a nursing home in downtown Toronto. When I applied for the position before the retreat, I wasn’t very excited about it. I finished my first shift three days after the retreat. It definitely wasn’t the same doing this kind of work without the people that I went out with to serve on Gospel Roads, but I know that if it wasn’t for what each of them revealed to me, by God working through them, I probably wouldn’t be there today.
Near the end of the retreat, when we were on our way home from a kid’s camp at St. Bernadette, it moved me to tears seeing the beauty of God working through others. It wasn’t just the people we served that made me feel this way, it was what God showed me through my work group. Despite how people look down upon certain groups in society, there are still such amazing Catholics out there that are willing to devote their time to doing the Lord’s work through serving others. Each of their gifts showed me what it means to be a child of God and what it means to be a leader. If it weren’t for my work group, I probably wouldn’t be the same person I am today. As Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
To close, I want to say that being a leader on Gospel Roads helped me to realize God is always going to be there in my life, despite the trials and tribulations that I may experience in my day. Serving others at the 5 different work sites and living in community with such amazing people helped to revamp my faith life from the darkness I was living in prior to the retreat. Though I still may struggle at times, this retreat helped me to be more confident in God’s grace and offer up my struggles to Him. After all, through serving others, I know that my suffering is minor compared to that of others. Serving them helped me to be humbled and trust in God with everything I do and for the people that need our prayers and service. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10