This past spring break, students from St. Joseph’s University, New York visited St. Louis, Missouri, where they engaged in experiences centered on racial disparities and the pursuit of justice. The service and mission trip, spearheaded by the University’s Campus Ministry and partly funded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, spanned six days, during which students learned of the racial tensions that permeate America’s history and their effect on today’s current society.
Also present during the trip were moments that adhere to the values on which St. Joseph’s was founded on such as intellectual rigor, service and spiritual depth.
Meet Me in St. Louis
Hosted March 15 – 20, the first day of the trip was all about SJNY’s seven participating students becoming accustomed to the city of St. Louis, escorted by directors of Campus Ministry on the Long Island and Brooklyn campuses, Jonathan Galo and S. Marie Mackey ’84 CSJ, respectively. Keeping in line with the spiritual values of campus ministry, students attended a Catholic Mass at the Cathedral of Basilica of St. Louis, home to the second largest collection of mosaics in the world.
Day two saw everyone venture over to the nearby city of Springfield, IL where up next was a visit to President Abraham Lincoln’s home, the Abraham Lincoln Museum and the site of his tomb. It was an opportunity for the students to learn more than may have already known about the 16th president, including his life and work, especially in regards to the Emancipation Proclamation.
Putting the “Service” in Service and Mission Trip
The following morning began with the group volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, where students assisted in distributing food for the church’s pantry, serving bagged lunches and organizing clothes for their free clothing window. During that time a guest speaker was invited to share her experiences on addiction, recovery and how her faith helped turn her life around.
It wouldn’t be a service and mission trip without visiting the Sisters of St. Joseph that live and work in the area. Students learned about the Sisters who founded the St. Louis congregation in 1836 and their work teaching deaf children. One stop on their tour was the Sisters’ chapel which housed a large number of relics gifted by various saints over the years. Closing out the day was a special presentation by a sister who sits on the board of Marion Middle School — an institution partly founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph — informing students on all the work the Sisters do and the influence they still hold within their communities.
Traveling Through Time
On day four, concrete city streets turned to dirt roads as the students traveled to the countryside to visit St. Peter’s Chapel in Bush Creek — two and half hours outside St. Louis. St. Peter’s Chapel holds historical prominence as the site where Fr. Augustus Tolton, America’s first black priest and a former slave was baptized.
From there it was on to the city of Hannibal — the birthplace of Mark Twain — as students learned more about the world-renowned writer’s life and works.
Closing out the road trip of sorts was a visit to Quincy, IL where the group toured a stop on the underground railroad while learning more about Fr. Tolton.
A Not-to-Distant History
The remainder of the trip was about getting to St. Louis, its surrounding communities and the racial tensions that have left a lasting effect on its residents. Throughout the day, the group heard from members in the community including a local coffee shop owner, who in addition to keeping customers happy, strives to promote the importance of inclusion and belongingness.
During a visit to Washington University, students spoke with Lt. Jeff Swatek, a police officer in St. Louis, who detailed his time serving amid the Ferguson riots in the wake of the death Michael Brown in 2014.
The final day of the trip was spent meeting with community leaders who continue to discuss ways to seek transformative justice. This included a visit to Ferguson as well.
Before heading home, one last stop was made to St. Louis University for a conversation with Fr. Jeff Harrison, SJ, who discussed the Church’s history and its relationship with slavery.
A Trip to Remember
The group returned with a memorable experience that would allow them to reflect not only on the lessons learned, but how they can make an impact in their lives and those around them moving forward.
“As we look toward the future, I would like to encourage more students to apply for our next spring break trip as these are memorable experiences that will, in many ways, help them to come closer to our ‘dear neighbor’ and inspire them to work for others,” said Jonathan Galo.
According to Galo, more information on service and mission trip set for spring 2027 will be available in the early fall 2026 semester.
Photos from this Year’s Service and Mission Trip:
