Brother Martin Service Program Coordinator, Mr. Christopher McCabe, shared his Klagetoh Service-Immersion Trip experiences:
“Keep saying yes!” This was the message Matt gave our students as we concluded our last evening prayer and reflection before our final drive home. Keep saying yes to God's call to use our gifts to serve, yes to experiencing new and uncomfortable things, and yes to sharing ourselves in community with others. His message was a perfect encapsulation of our experience in Klagetoh because throughout our week at St. Anne Mission our students enthusiastically opened their hearts and said yes to anything that was asked of them.
They said yes to a 2600 mile round trip road trip with students they did not know very well to a part of the country most of them had never been before for an experience that had not been offered at Brother Martin since before 2012. They said yes to simple living as they bunked together in common rooms, saved water with 3-minute showers, put their phones away for most of the day, shared stories and talked around the campfire, cooked and cleaned for one another, and stared up at the stars each evening. They said yes to hard work as they built a new porch roof for Sister Monica, painted part of the exterior of a local man’s home, meticulously created a prayer path in front of the Mission, cleaned and organized the local parish hall to prepare for a vacation Bible school, transported water to people’s homes to offer relief from the current drought, and even cleaned water basins for sheep. Most importantly, they said yes to loving community with others as they celebrated Mass with the local community, shared coffee and pastries with members of the church parish, played sports and games with local kids, opened up to one another in the sweat lodge, listened to locals share the joys and struggles of life on the reservation, observed a traditional pow wow, connected with nature through a hike in Canyon de Chelly, and shared in daily prayer and reflection on our Christian call to be in solidarity with the poor and vulnerable.
Our week in Klagetoh was filled with activity, community, and grace. I feel blessed to have been a part of bringing this experience back for our students and trust that these young men will return to campus ready to share the joy and love they experienced with our school community.
Christina Lasserre from Brothers of the Sacred Heart school, E.D. White, in Thibodaux, reflected on the 2026 Brothers of the Sacred Heart mission trip:
This week, our Brothers of the Sacred Heart 2026 Mission Trip was a powerful reminder that service is often found in ordinary tasks completed with extraordinary love. Together, students and adults from 10 BOSH schools gave generously of their time, energy, and hearts to make a tangible difference in the lives of countless people throughout the New York community.
Over the course of the week, we prepared hundreds of goodie bags to bring joy and encouragement to children receiving care at the local Children's Hospital. We cooked breakfast and baked homemade treats for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, offering comfort and hospitality to those walking through some of life's most difficult moments. Our teams worked tirelessly to prepare two schools and churches for the upcoming school year by scrubbing surfaces, sorting materials, organizing classrooms, and moving what felt like endless amounts of furniture. We also partnered with St. John's Bread & Life Food Program and St. Catherine of Sienna Food Pantry, sorting, organizing, and cleaning so these ministries can continue serving individuals and families experiencing food insecurity while remaining compliant with health regulations. To further support local neighborhoods, we built and painted Little Free Libraries and community food boxes that will soon serve four different communities. We also spent time beautifying and organizing the Brothers' residence, caring for the home of those who have given so much in service to others. One of the most moving moments of our week came as we honored the lives lost on September 11th by praying the names of nearly 3,000 victims. It was a sacred opportunity to remember each person, to pray for their families, and to be reminded of the dignity and value of every human life.
None of these accomplishments happened because of one person. They happened because 67 students and 24 adults chose to show up each day with willing hands, open hearts, and a desire to serve Christ in others.The impact of this week extends far beyond the tasks we completed. It lives on in the people we served, the relationships we built, and the ways each of us has been changed through serving together. What an incredible week. We have much to celebrate, much to be grateful for, and every reason to be proud of what God accomplished through our mission team.
