Lives changed during Summer in the City

ABSECON – Three years ago, 14-year-old Gabe McGlinchey was in a difficult moment in his life; his friend had just passed away in an accident, and the last place he wanted to be was a summer retreat.

“My mother pushed me to go; I wasn’t looking forward to it,” McGlinchey, from Berlin’s Saint Simon Stock Parish, said of the annual Summer in the City weeklong service immersion experience.

Gradually, though, his feelings began to change. “The second day, I finally got out of my comfort zone and started talking to people,” he said.

His “lightbulb” moment, however, came mid-week, during an evening of Eucharistic Adoration. As he and other youth from across the Diocese of Camden knelt in front of the Blessed Sacrament, he found God’s wisdom in the silence.

“I felt so close to the Holy Spirit,” McGlinchey recalled. “The Lord told me everything was going to be all right, and he told me to heal through [the] performing of good deeds.”

Now 17, McGlinchey was one of 16 young women and men to take part in this year’s Summer in the City held Aug. 14-20. Residing at the Blessed Carlo Acutis Center during the week, the teens ventured out to different locations each day to serve others across Atlantic City.

“We’re doing work through Christ and changing lives,” McGlinchey said. “Every day here when I’m helping someone, it makes my year. It’s a feeling of bliss.”

Among the worksites was the Father Benedict House in Atlantic City, where the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal are preparing for an incoming group of young women who will spend September-May in discernment. Other service included beautifying Holy Cross Cemetery in Mays Landing; making meal bags for the hungry at Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden’s Atlantic City location, and sorting food items at Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Egg Harbor Township. The teens also made new friends during a field day of activities with those from The Arc of Atlantic County.

“For most of these youth, Summer in the City is the highlight of their summer,” said José Rodriguez, director of the diocesan Office of Family and Youth, which sponsored the week. He praised the teens for being “open to meeting new people and experiencing new things together.”

On the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, teens served as ushers during Mass and walked with Bishop Dennis Sullivan during the Wedding of the Sea procession at Atlantic City’s Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Parish of Saint Monica.

Rodriguez recalled the words of Father Kevin Mohan, parish pastor, who met with the youth that day. “Father Mohan told us that during this week, we are to not only allow people to see Jesus through us, through the work that we do, but we are to see Jesus through them.”

Tyler Wimberg, 16, from Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish in Northfield, said he saw Jesus in a man named Mike, whom he met while serving food to the homeless at the Father Benedict House.

“Mike lives under the Boardwalk,” Wimberg said. “He thanked me so many times for serving him and speaking with him.”

Enjoying some downtime, Anna Diaz and Anna Wills sat in front of the Blessed Carlo Acutis Center as they explained how they were strangers a mere 72 hours earlier. Diaz, 16, from Swedesboro’s Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, said she was glad to have met Wills, 18, of Saint Simon Stock Parish.

“We’ve become sisters in Christ,” Diaz said as the two hugged.

At the Benedict House, the first-timer not only made toiletry bags for visitors, but met people who related stories of their addiction struggles. “The week has opened my eyes to what people experience,” Diaz said. “It’s good to help people, and grow in relationship with God and others.”

When asked if she’d recommend Summer in the City to others, Wills, who’s on her second summer with the program, smiled and gave two thumbs-up. “When I’m here, my heart’s not as heavy.”

The opportunity to encounter Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration also helped lift heavy hearts. Father Peter Gallagher, parochial vicar at Holy Angels Parish, Woodbury, led prayers mid-week at Ventnor’s Saint James Church, Holy Trinity Parish. Lex Keefer, who is host of “Changing with the Tides” on YouTube and involved with the Diocese’s “Talking Catholic” podcast, spoke to youth about her devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

As the week began to wind down, An Nguyen, 20, from Most Precious Blood Parish in West Collingswood, reflected on the values gleaned at Summer in the City. She first participated in 2016, returning for three more summers before becoming a chaperone.

She said she is heartened to see youth “learn to love Summer in the City like I did and realize what their service does for someone else. They might not have [the realization] now, but in a week, they’ll look back and go, ‘Wow, I really did all this.’”

For more on Summer in the City, view a photo gallery or watch a video chronicling the week.