The second year, we restored a bathroom and living area in a home that had fallen into severe disrepair. It wasn't just about repairing walls, flooring, or plumbing—it was about helping a family regain a safe and welcoming place to call home. We were reminded that every person deserves to live with dignity.

 

This year, our mission was to replace the roof on a home that desperately needed it. As we worked under the summer sun, I couldn't help but think about how a secure roof provides more than shelter. It offers peace of mind, protection, and a sense that someone truly cares.

 

Yet, if someone asked me what keeps bringing me back, my answer wouldn't be the construction projects.  It is the faith.

 

Each evening, we gather with teenagers, young adults, and adult volunteers to pray, reflect, and share what our Catholic faith means in our lives. We speak honestly about our struggles, our blessings, and the ways God continues to work through ordinary people. Watching young people openly discuss their faith, challenge one another to grow closer to Christ, and willingly give up a week of their summer to serve others gives me tremendous hope for the future of our Church.

 

There is also something special about the fellowship that develops. We arrive as individuals from different parishes and backgrounds, but by the end of the week we leave as a family. Working side by side, sharing meals, laughing together, praying together, and serving together creates friendships that last well beyond the mission trip.

 

And then there is Appalachia itself.  The mountains, winding roads, quiet mornings, and breathtaking beauty create the perfect backdrop for hearing God's voice. Every year, as I drive through those hills, John Denver's words come to mind: "Country roads, take me home." Home isn't just a place; it's where you experience God's presence most clearly. For one week each summer, those country roads lead me to a community where faith is lived, neighbors care for one another, and Christ is encountered in every person we meet.

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I initially signed up believing I was going to help others. Instead, I discovered that I am the one who continues to receive the greater blessing. The residents teach gratitude. The young people inspire hope. The volunteers demonstrate selfless love. And together we experience what Christ meant when He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

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I leave Appalachia each year physically tired but spiritually renewed, already looking forward to returning. I am grateful to Certain Place Ministries for creating an opportunity where faith is not merely discussed—it is lived. It has become one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, and I pray that God continues to lead me back down those country roads for many years to come.

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- Matt Donnelly

St. Vincent Martyr Church

Madison, NJ