Leslie DiRenzo, Missionary Chaperone

Can you consider a fourteen mile drive, a distance shorter than many commute to work, a Mission Trip? Yes!  The five days spent on Pittsburgh’s north side at Light of Life Rescue Mission (LOL) were powerful. This spring, a few of the chaperones met with Tom Mitlo, Director of Operations for the rescue mission. Tom explained that our volunteers could have a small impact on the residents of LOL and the homeless population of our city; however, the goal was to profoundly impact the hearts and minds of our SSJP volunteers.  Goal accomplished.  

Our days were spent working- meal preparation, landscaping, painting, cleaning, moving, sorting, sifting, and any task asked of us. As a chaperone of a group of teenage girls, the work was fun!  The girls sought joy in (almost) every task and their enthusiasm was contagious.  Imagine cleaning up a homeless camp, alongside the residents, while singing and dancing-- I had the pleasure of living it. Other times called for quieting our minds and listening to life stories and testimonies.  The destructive power of addiction and temptation was palpable.  Chris, recovering addict who now works for LOL, shared his story. Chris attended St. Alphonsus (K-8) and later Quigley Catholic High School.  He attributes a biking accident that stripped him of his identity, to his dependency on drugs.  Chris is not an article, a teaching tool or a face on a billboard. He is a Catholic person from our Wexford hometown.  Chris is clean and his identity is now in Christ!

We were fed as we labored, fed with the same food that nourishes the homeless who seek a meal and fed with the Word of God.  Each day Father Mike and Deacon Tony celebrated Mass and spoke into our hearts.  I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst and soaked in His warmth and peace.  Our small group discussion time yielded so much fruit and I recognized how God was stretching me.  I feel challenged to serve more and pour faith into my children every day. 

God’s work is all around us. There is value in traveling over 1,400 miles to serve God’s people in some of the poorest parts of the world; however, mission work is also fourteen miles away. We are called to spread the love of Christ in our beloved city of Pittsburgh, our small town, and our own neighborhood.  I am grateful for this experience and inspired to live the Gospel wherever I am! 

—Leslie DiRenzo, Missionary Chaperone