Spring Newsletter 2024

Alternative Spring Break Trips Sharing God’s Love by Shelby Platner class of 2023, trip leader for Dominican Republic

On a Sunday evening in March, I returned home to my quiet apartment in South Carolina after a beautiful trip to the Dominican Republic with Catholic Campus Ministry. After participating in Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trips during my time as a Catholic Hokie, the quiet evening felt strange compared to the usual treasured reunion at Sunday 8 p.m. Mass. There, students gathered after their time on mission to share the encounters, joy, and memories from the last seven days with a new sense of community. That night, I bet the students on my trip shared about Fr. Ligondé – the pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Villa Gautier – his kind heart, and how he lives his fatherhood so well. I am sure they talked about the children we danced and colored with at the country chapels, or when we played baseball together with a sugarcane bat and rubber duck ball. I know they laughed as they retold stories of the sea urchin “attack” or “Flo,” the beloved water delivery driver. But I am also confident that they heard more stories from other ASBs than they shared that evening, just as we received more than we gave on that trip. The Lord cannot be outdone in generosity, and He truly gives abundantly. Although my evening was quiet, I reflected with hope on my responsibility to share the experience with coworkers, family, and friends who did not go on an ASB, trusting that the Lord will plant seeds through these conversations. It was a gift to witness the profound beauty of the Haitian and Dominican people and their island and experience the Lord’s love in new ways. I grew closer with my co leader, Tallie McGirr, and other current students on the service trip and contemplated on what faith, service, and community look like post-grad. ASBs were one of my favorite experiences at VT, and I am sure many Catholic Hokie alumni agree. What a blessing to serve and give back to the CCM which has given me so much! Fr. Ligondé left us with the charge to “love the Lord with all your ALL.” While the meaning of that call is unique to each of us, I pray that we may each answer with our life and share this love as we go into the world and serve our communities, trusting that our Good Father has placed us right where we are meant to be.