Local students traveled to El Salvador with Our Lady of Lourdes Church through CFCA, to participate in a Mission Awareness Project. The participants visited local cities and villages to learn about El Salvadorian culture and traditions. They learned about the economic hardships the citizens must face and are trying to overcome. They also visited San Salvador at the sites where Msgr. Romero was assassinated and University of Central America where Jesuit priests and their caretakers were murdered during the civil war for speaking out and advocating for the poor. The students learned first hand the lessons of Msgr. Romero that one small action by one individual for another person will not only change the life of that one person but in turn make a difference in the world.

This trip also helped the students to understand the plight of undocumented immigrants in our area. Many of these people leave their countries to earn money to support their families. The immigrants cannot enter this country legally. The laws state that in order to do so you must be able to prove they have jobs and homes to return to in their native country.

Many students have committed to sponsorships to help the poor children of El Salvador. By their sponsorships, the El Salvadorian children receive food, medical attention and clothing.

The students all agreed this was a life changing experience. They continue to spread the news about El Salvador and the plight of its poor citizens.

The student participants in the El Salvador mission from St. John the Baptist are Matthew Baltrusitis, Dana Baltrusitis, Brendan Boyle, Nora Boyle, Patrick Boyle, Lisa Marie Maher, Megan Freidman, Alana Doran and Christopher Papacchia; from West Islip High School are Katie Olsen, Lauren Olsen, Joe Walsh and Katie Milligan; from St. Joseph’s College is Joe Dorfmeister and from Catholic University of America is Meagan Walsh.