I had the chance to sit down and talk with freshman Patrick McShane (Biology Major) about his experiences with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is volunteer labor and donations of money and materials to help build and rehabilitate houses. Habitat is a nonprofit nondenominational Christian housing ministry. This is only one of many service opportunities available through campus ministry for all the students in our community. All freshmen seminar classes require that each student does at least 10 hours of community service. Habitat was Patrick’s way of getting these required hours. His first experience was so enjoyable and fulfilling that he gave up another two Saturdays to go with other SMU students to help out in our community. One project he took part in included scaffolding on buildings as high as three stories. It was a dangerous job, but fun, as Patrick put it.
However, freshmen seminar was not Patrick’s motivation to take part in community service. Before coming to Saint Martin’s University, Patrick was very involved in community service at his high school in Yuma, AZ, where he went on many trips across the border, into Mexico, and helped out at orphanages and food banks. Helping others is a big part of Patrick’s life. He told me that he can’t live life without helping. It is important to give back when you have so much and others have hardly anything. Helping others is very fulfilling and rewarding to Patrick.
I asked him what his thoughts were on why students don’t volunteer with Campus Ministry community service opportunities offered unless it is required. He told me how many people stay away from Campus Ministry because they feel as if they cannot go there unless they are Catholic. I commented on how this isn’t true and asked what he would say to these individuals to not be so intimidated by Campus Ministry. Patrick’s response was "ministry is doing, not preaching". It is a service to the students and community where faith is worked in through actions and not words. Giving service to others is showing God’s love without having to tell them that it is God’s love. That is what Campus Ministry is here to do, among many other things.
Laurella White
Class of 2012
Business
