CHERRY HILL – When Lucia Palombo learned last year of the Diocese of Camden’s Summer in the City, her excitement was tempered by one fact: She was one year too young to participate.
This summer, however, the now-14-year-old from Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Marmora, was able to take part in the youth summer service immersion experience – and after six transformative days and nights, her joy remained.
“The whole week has been really fun; I’ve never been able to serve as many people as I have here,” Palombo said, naming some highlights. “I painted parking spots at [Calvary] Cemetery; I stocked boxes of food at the [Cherry Hill] Food Pantry; I filled backpacks for kids.”
As a greeter and usher at the Wedding of the Sea celebration in Atlantic City, she noted it was “beautiful to see the young and old come together to praise God.”
All told, “it’s great to meet youth who want to know Jesus and have a relationship with Him, like I want to. I’m very happy to have found something like this.”
More than 20 youth like Palombo took part in the Summer in the City program Aug. 11-17. While spending their days learning and living the Gospel call to social justice, the youth spent their evenings in reflection and fellowship here at the Nazareth House.
The program was an opportunity for the young Church to encounter a wide range of people, “whose care, commitment, faith and zeal make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable,” said Dr. Michael Sims, director of the Diocese’s Life & Justice Ministries.
Whether beautifying Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill; gardening and mulching at Camden’s Center for Environmental Transformation; or learning about the important work of Catholic Charities of South Jersey, the teens learned that “every small labor, done with great love, matters,” he continued.
Another key component of the week was reminding youth that everyone is created in God’s image and likeness, noted Sister Dianna Higgins, FMIJ, who served as one of the adult mentors.
“We want to help youth recognize that we all share in this gift of being human, and no matter what people’s circumstances, every person deserves to be respected.”
Abraham Lopez, 17, who took part in Summer in the City for the fourth time, found a new appreciation for the project while welcoming others to the Mass on Aug. 15 for the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Atlantic City.
“There was a man who kept coming up to us, smiling and expressing his happiness that we were there,” said Lopez, of Saint Bridget University Parish, Glassboro. “Just seeing his joy, it made me happy that I could be there and greet him.”
Another adult chaperone, Lauren Adderly, was pleased to see the young people rise to the challenge of caring for others, all the while working under a hot sun to beautify the Center for Environmental Transformation. While there, they also learned about caring for the planet.
“It was on Friday, the last day, and they were tired,” she said of the youth. “But they came together [in mulching], helped each other and bonded. This generosity gives me hope that they’ll continue to put their faith into action, and make their world better.”
Palombo already is planning on participating in next year’s Summer in the City. “You never know how much you can lend a hand to others until you do it.”
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