Service trips through the Sheil Catholic Center are a great opportunity to put your faith into action by serving underprivileged people around the world. It is also a chance to learn about another culture; grow in your personal faith journey; understand and integrate the principles of Catholic Social Teaching; and to share what you have learned with the Sheil community.
Sheil’s service trips include:
- New Orleans Service Trip (Spring Break)
- Nicaragua Service Trip (Winter Break)
- Associates' Service Trip
- Young Alumni Service Trip (Summer Break)
For more information on any of these Service Trips, contact Tim Higgins at t-higgins3@northwestern.edu or (847) 328-4648.
In the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Catholic Charities has sent more than 20,000 college students to help rebuild people's homes. The people of New Orleans continue to need the commitment of the Catholic Church and other communities to help the poor and needy.
To date, Sheil has had ten successful trips to New Orleans, helping more than 30 home owners begin the process of rebuilding. Sheil’s trips to New Orleans have brought hope to its residents and created life-changing experiences to all who have participated.
Our New Orleans trip takes place over Spring Break and is open to undergraduates, graduate students and professional students. To learn first-hand about the students’ experiences and see pictures, check out our New Orleans Blogs.
Registration information will be available online prior to each trip. For more information or to support Sheil’s New Orleans Service Trips, please contact Tim Higgins, Campus Minister, at t-higgins3@northwestern.edu or (847) 328-4648.
For our international trip to Nicaragua, Sheil collaborates with the Fabretto Children’s Foundation. Most of our time in Nicaragua is spent working at the Fabretto center in Cusmapa:
- Ongoing construction projects
- Planting trees with the Forestry Program
- Assisting in the carpentry shop
- Playing games with children
- Participating in various music and sports programs
- Prayer, reflection, group social time and rest in the evenings
At the beginning of the trip, the group will participate in cultural activities and sightseeing to appreciate the great history and natural beauty of Nicaragua. Options may include a volcano tour, shopping in the historic Masaya market and a boat ride on Lake Nicaragua.
Our Nicaragua trip takes place over Winter Break and is open to undergraduates and graduate students.
Registration information will be available online prior to each trip. For more information or to support Sheil’s Nicaragua Service Trip, please contact Beth Knobbe, Campus Minister, at b-knobbe@northwestern.edu or (847) 328-4648.
May 19-26, 2012
Sheil's Associates' Habitat for Humanity Trip takes place in West Tallahatchie, Mississippi. While our primary objective is to build homes for the impoverished, we also immerse ourselves in the neighborhood and its people to learn about their poverty and struggle make a better life.
In addition to home construction, we also help out at local schools, community and community health centers.
Our Associates' trip takes place over Spring Break and is open to anyone in the Sheil community who is over 18 years of age. For more information or to support the Associates' Service Trip, please contact Mike Perry at mfp884@yahoo.com.
Sheil's summer Alumni Service Trip is organized and implemented by our Young Alumni group. Past years’ trips have included house construction in Mississippi and work with Catholic Charities in New Orleans.
The trip’s schedule traditionally includes morning prayer, full workdays and evening reflection using Catholic Social Teaching, as well as social time visiting and learning about local culture.
The Young Alumni trip takes place over Summer Break. Each year’s destination is determined as a part of the planning process. For more information or to get involved, visit the Young Alumni Group.
