MONROE - More than 90 Catholic teens from across Wisconsin converged on Green County Monday for a week of service.
At nursing homes, churches, schools and residences, about 90 teens - called missionaries - and 30 adults - or lead missionaries - worked on various community projects throughout the county for Madison organization Love Begins Here.
Garrett Martin, youth minister at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, said almost 1,000 teens will work on service projects for Love Begins Here throughout the Diocese of Madison by the end of the summer.
"It's a way for us to express why our faith matters," Martin said. "Our lives have to reflect our faith, and service is a big part of the Catholic faith."
Love Begins Here began in the Diocese of Madison in 2009, Martin said. Since then, thousands of teens and adults have worked on projects in cities throughout the diocese.
This week, Monroe served as the host city, which it hasn't done since 2013, Martin said. Eight other groups of similar size will work at other cities throughout the summer.
On Thursday, Martin led a group of teens to assist at Aster Assisted Living of Monroe, cleaning the patios and holding a bible study session with residents. Earlier in the week, his team visited other sites, including private residences and St. Victor Church.
"When we come together, it brings a positive change, not just for the community but for the kids as well," Martin said. "I love the opportunity to grow myself as I watch the kids grow."
Other groups of volunteers visited the Green County Family YMCA and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, sorting clothing and repainting a wall.
Meagan Kline, director of Faith Development at St. William Parish in Janesville, said this year was her first year involved with Love Begins Here.
"I didn't realize we would have such an opportunity to interact with the community," Kline said.
Kline said her team of teens, ranging from ages 14 to 17, came from all across the Madison Diocese and few, if any, knew each other before this week.
"I enjoy helping people beyond what I could see before," Kline said. "Besides, I like doing hard labor."
Most teens become involved with Love Begins Here through youth programs at their home parishes, but others - called the "lost sheep" - come from parishes not involved in the program.
Allison Malek, a teacher at St. Jerome School in Columbus, was responsible for organizing the lost sheep.
"It's not what I expected, but in a good way," Malek said. "I'm just blown away by the service of all these kids."
Joseph Watson, 17, of Sauk City, said this year was his fourth year working with Love Begins Here.
"I just want to return to the world what it gave to me," Watson said.
Thursday was the group's last day of work this week, Martin said. After a night of activities and games at St. Victor School, where the group spends each night, they will return to their homes today - hopefully leaving Monroe a slightly better place, Martin said.
"When I'm here I get to witness a profoundly tangible understanding of our faith," Martin said. "It's about selflessly giving and serving others."
At nursing homes, churches, schools and residences, about 90 teens - called missionaries - and 30 adults - or lead missionaries - worked on various community projects throughout the county for Madison organization Love Begins Here.
Garrett Martin, youth minister at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, said almost 1,000 teens will work on service projects for Love Begins Here throughout the Diocese of Madison by the end of the summer.
"It's a way for us to express why our faith matters," Martin said. "Our lives have to reflect our faith, and service is a big part of the Catholic faith."
Love Begins Here began in the Diocese of Madison in 2009, Martin said. Since then, thousands of teens and adults have worked on projects in cities throughout the diocese.
This week, Monroe served as the host city, which it hasn't done since 2013, Martin said. Eight other groups of similar size will work at other cities throughout the summer.
On Thursday, Martin led a group of teens to assist at Aster Assisted Living of Monroe, cleaning the patios and holding a bible study session with residents. Earlier in the week, his team visited other sites, including private residences and St. Victor Church.
"When we come together, it brings a positive change, not just for the community but for the kids as well," Martin said. "I love the opportunity to grow myself as I watch the kids grow."
Other groups of volunteers visited the Green County Family YMCA and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, sorting clothing and repainting a wall.
Meagan Kline, director of Faith Development at St. William Parish in Janesville, said this year was her first year involved with Love Begins Here.
"I didn't realize we would have such an opportunity to interact with the community," Kline said.
Kline said her team of teens, ranging from ages 14 to 17, came from all across the Madison Diocese and few, if any, knew each other before this week.
"I enjoy helping people beyond what I could see before," Kline said. "Besides, I like doing hard labor."
Most teens become involved with Love Begins Here through youth programs at their home parishes, but others - called the "lost sheep" - come from parishes not involved in the program.
Allison Malek, a teacher at St. Jerome School in Columbus, was responsible for organizing the lost sheep.
"It's not what I expected, but in a good way," Malek said. "I'm just blown away by the service of all these kids."
Joseph Watson, 17, of Sauk City, said this year was his fourth year working with Love Begins Here.
"I just want to return to the world what it gave to me," Watson said.
Thursday was the group's last day of work this week, Martin said. After a night of activities and games at St. Victor School, where the group spends each night, they will return to their homes today - hopefully leaving Monroe a slightly better place, Martin said.
"When I'm here I get to witness a profoundly tangible understanding of our faith," Martin said. "It's about selflessly giving and serving others."