Clelian Heights- Day 6

Our week here at Clelian Heights flew by! Although some of us had previous experience working with special needs students, this week presented many opportunities for us to step out of our comfort zone and grow. Four of us helped in Clelian Center, the sheltered workshop, lending a hand at supervising, cheer leading and some occasional heavy lifting. Four of us helped in the school with the Extended School Year program. We too saw many new faces and were welcomed with open arms and smiles. The sisters, staff, students and clients hold a special place in our hearts and prayers.

The highlight of Friday was Mass with the clients at Clelian Center and school children. Some of our CJ volunteers volunteered to sing in the choir and even learned American Sign Language in the process. Enthusiasm and a prayerful spirit filled the chapel.

Later our closing prayer service allowed us to reflect with gratitude on the gifts of the week--faith, ability to communicate, simplicity of life, humility. We also shared gifts that we'll bring home with us--greater respect for all people, focusing on the positive, a new sense of true happiness. We will truly treasure the memories of this week!

Clelian Heights- Day 5

Thursday was a busy day at Clelian Heights. It was Field Trip Thursday! The CJ students helping in the school visited a nearby park and then went bowling. Good times were had by all. One more day together remains, and we are looking forward to celebrating Mass together on Friday morning. 

The evening concluded with a birthday dance for one of the Clelian Center clients. The music was rocking, and the dance floor was moving. Here we are doing the Chicken Dance.

Clelian Heights- Day 4

As our time at Clelian Heights continues, we feel more and more comfortable as we work with the students and clients. Today, we celebrated the birthday of Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, in “special activities” religion class. 

We also took time after dinner to reflect on our week so far. Below are some of the students’ thoughts:

• ​“There is a genuine happiness here. A real kind of happiness that must be found in something more than clothes or money.”
• “The students and clients here are in-tune with their faith. It’s freely expressed in everything they do. They are so grateful.”
• “People here genuinely care about each other. When they meet someone new, they find something positive to say and focus on their real beauty.”
• “The people I’ve met here aren’t ashamed of who they are. They know their strengths and their weaknesses. And they’re okay with that.”
• “We are all people with disabilities. It’s odd that we define some people that way. We all struggle with some things, and we’re all good at other things.“

The blessings from the week abound! We are grateful for everyone’s prayers and support.

 

Young Neighbors in Action Service Trip ~ Chicago, IL

A group of Cor Jesu students is spending a week in Chicago, serving others through the organization, Young Neighbors in Action (YNA). The students are participating in mission, growing in faith, joining in prayer and serving those in need. Eile Woeltje ’16 shares a reflection about the students’ experiences from Tuesday, June 23:

Today our group went to St. Colombanus Church food pantry, the largest food pantry in Chicago, where we helped bag canned goods that we will distribute to 500 families on Wednesday. As a whole, we bagged 7,000 pounds of goods, and we're looking forward to distributing the food and “sharing the love of the heart of Christ” with others.

 

Clelian Heights- Day 3

Clelian Heights- Day 3:

Today was a busy day for the volunteers at Clelian Heights. The girls helping in the Clelian Center assisted Sr. Lauren Elizabeth and Sr. Kathryn in a religion lesson. 

We talked about the love of Jesus' heart and how we can have hearts like His! 

After our long day, the residents of Chip's House gave us a full tour! We also toured the facilities where the adults make dog biscuits and do industrial laundry. 

The weather to end the evening was perfect for a game of Duck, Duck, Goose and a gorgeous sunset across the rolling Pennsylvania hills.

Clelian Heights Day 2

Reflecting our our first day.

Comments/Reflections on our first day of service:

From a CJ student helping in the sheltered workshop: I saw a girl show her mom her paycheck and I was surprised by how what a machine can do in two minutes could bring someone else so much joy.

From a CJ student helping in the school: I am grateful for the ability to communicate. It seems so simple. But when I'm happy or angry I can just say so!

From a CJ student helping in the sheltered workshop: There's a real sense of community here. I see it in the attention the clients pay to one another. They know each other's birthdays. Thu are concerned when someone else is sad.

From a CJ student helping in the school program: I'm grateful to have people in my life to love and care for me. And to be educated in a place where I can be myself.

Another CJ student said: Today was a great day. I got a lot of hugs!

Clelian Heights- Day 1

Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children

Clelian Heights is a ministry of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Pennsylvania and is dedicated to enabling children and adults with developmental disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, to function in the world at their own ability level as contributing and valuable members of society. Each year, Cor Jesu students have the opportunity to spend a week alongside the Sisters and the 80-plus staff members, living out the school’s mission by “sharing the love of the heart of Christ” with the children and adults served through the facility. Below is a blog that describes the students’ experiences throughout the week of June 21-26, 2015:

Day 1: After arriving yesterday in Pittsburgh, we traveled to Greensburg, PA. We met the sisters and had a tour of the school. Today we toured Pittsburgh. Highlights include: a tour of the Cathedral of Learning, Heinz Chapel, a walking tour of the University of Pittsburgh campus, St. Paul's Cathedral and a look at Duquesne University. Here's a group shot of us at the Mt. Washington Overlook where we saw much of downtown Pittsburgh and the merging of the three rivers. Our adventures also included a trip down the Monongahela Incline--a first for many. The weather was in our favor and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset across the hills.