I was sent to the Baton Rouge community for my summer assignment. A few days ago as I reflected on my time here, I remember Fr. Chuong Cao driving me from Houston to Baton Rouge back in May. I had no idea exactly what I would be doing here. Not long after my arrival, I realized that “the harvest is abundant and the laborers are few.”

During my time here, I have been working at St. Gerard Parish and at the Hispanic Apostolate in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. I participated in St. Gerard School’s Summer Enrichment Program, teaching Spanish four days a week to kids from Pre-Kindergarten to 7th grade. That was quite an adventure because even though I am fluent in Spanish, I am not a Spanish teacher – by any extent of the imagination. I also participated in the Scripture prayer group and Masses during the week and week-ends.

The Hispanic Apostolate has been a very good experience. I was able to participate in Spanish Masses at the different Redemptorist ministry sites. We planned a triduum to introduce devotion to our Mother of Perpetual Help, which was very well received by the people.

I was also very happy to learn that there was a group of youth who had been meeting during the school year and wanted to continue to meet during the summer. We have been able to meet and share our faith. The youth group was a good learning experience because I had never before worked with adolescents in this capacity. Our meetings led to discussions with the Hispanic Apostolate staff to create a group for young adults so the youth can continue to share their faith and culture after they turn 18 years old. I will not be there to see that develop, but it’s out of my hands now and in the hands of God.

Now that the restrictions for the pandemic are becoming less strict,the different ministries involved with the Mass are beginning to be reintroduced. Fr. Kevin Zubel and I worked on a presentation tore-introduce these ministries – altar server, sacristan, lectors, ministers of hospitality and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. The first presentations were well received by the community, and Fr. Kevin will follow up with onsite training where the Redemptorists minister.

It’s all very exciting! The Redemptorist community has definitely been a blessing for me. It is a very good community, and I have enjoyed my time here very much. One of the things that I most enjoyed was our lunches together.

As a slow eater myself, I appreciate when community meals go a little long. But the community and conversation at the table is always lively and enjoyable. The community welcomed me with open arms when I arrived. I will miss them, and I leave here (hopefully a better Redemptorist Brother) with a happy heart full of gratitude and good memories.