As Academy students, the prevalence of service and connecting with God is an important aspect of student life. Though there have been changes over the years, including new mission trips and changes in Rose Week, Mission and Ministry has worked hard to organize a year full of eye-opening experiences through retreats, mission trips, pilgrimages, and advocacy trips. Students were able to hear what was in store for the school year at the convocation dedicated to service on September 9.
The reason why Faith in Action experiences are so imperative is because they allow Academy students to help others, widen their horizons, deepen their faith with prayer, and bond with humanity, in a way that is unique to all other opportunities. Many girls and teachers spoke about their experiences through a video, and while each person had an individual testimony, the video demonstrated the unanimous opinion that mission trips are a transformative experience and are worth going on.
The first type of opportunity available are retreats. Retreats are essentially “extended time with God” and allow students to engage through reflection time and worship through prayer. The retreats open for this school year include two separate Kairos dates for the junior and senior classes. At Kairos, girls can better connect with their peers and find time in their busy lives to connect one-on-one with God. The two weekends take place in October and in January, and the retreat is a prerequisite for being a part of Peer Ministry. Kairos is one of the most beloved events Academy girls participate in, and if often described as detrimental to their development.
Mei-Lin Ellison (‘25) recalled, “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the Kairos retreat.”
The second type of opportunity mentioned in the presentation were advocacy trips. At advocacy trips, students are able to use their voice to support Catholic beliefs and encourage people to be treated with respect and fairness. This school year there are two advocacy trips, both in Washington D.C., that will take place. In October, there will be an advocacy trip that is centered around the Ignatian Family Teach In, and even get to speak with a congressman. In January, students will have the opportunity to attend the National March for Life protest, where people will gather from across the country to advocate for the unborn. With these opportunities, girls can experience the importance of supporting meaningful causes and fighting for human dignity.
Opportunities that are given to students multiple times throughout the year are mission trips. Mission trips are weekend or week-long trips where students travel to different areas in various communities to dedicate their time to serving a specific cause where the local people will benefit. During Catholic Schools Week, Academy is hosting a known service trip to La Victoria, Dominican Republic. Numbers of girls from the past couple years have attended this specific trip, and are always vocal about their positive times spent on the trip. During the same time, a weekend trip has been planned for girls to remodel a migrant home in Plant City. Though this opportunity is closer to home, the pure intentions of the trip are no less important, and are often very impactful. In March, girls can choose to attend the “Toppa Joppa” mission trip at Joppa Mountain, Tennessee. This trip focuses on a community that is not often Catholic, and provides the experience of connecting closely with new students. In addition, more mission trips will be announced throughout the school year so girls can serve in the summer as well.
The last Faith In Action opportunities provided were pilgrimages. Pilgrimages give girls the opportunity for girls to travel throughout the world to find special relics and attend extraordinary events. Occurring in July of 2025, the Jubilee of the Youth is a week-long pilgrimage through Rome, which leads to World Youth Day. This is an opportunity that is given to few, and can broadly expand the perspective of Academy students.
Since this school year is the 25-year anniversary of the first mission trip that took place in 2000, Mission and Ministry has high hopes for participation this school year.
Sister Lisa Perkowski added, “I expect 25% of the student body to take the opportunity and participate in one of these events.”
With the convocation, students are now informed with important information and deadlines so they can partake in these events that are unique to the AHN community. Girls can not only serve the communities of people that need outside assistance, but bond with their peers, and strengthen their relationship with God. There are a wide variety of opportunities, and it is up to the student body to take advantage of them and fill out the applications, which will lead to inestimable personal and spiritual growth.
Presley Keener (‘25) recalled her experience on a mission trip, “Last year, I sacrificed my Spring Break to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic and it was one of the most wholesome and authentic experiences of my life. From sorting shoes and painting houses to building strong connections with my friends who went on the mission trip, I have been able to truly grow in myself as a person. I am so excited to go back this spring!”
