In July 2007, Holy Apostles Church, a Catholic Parish in Western Cranston, instituted a teen program called “Teens on a Mission.” The program is designed to select and prepare 10 teens who have been confirmed in the church to do missionary work.

“Missionary work involves identifying our own talents and spirituality and giving these gifts to those who are poor and marginalized in this world,” said Mike Santilli, director of youth ministry and mission coordinator for Holy Apostles.

Holy Apostles does its missionary service under the direction of Mustard Seed Communities, based out of Boston.

The group of 10 students and four adults traveled to the Blessed Assurance orphanage in Montego Bay, Jamaica, for the week of June 20-27.

The orphanage is home to 35 severely handicapped orphans. Visiting missionaries become part of the community for one week. They participate in daily prayer devotions, assist with the feeding and caring of the orphans, provide recreational and educational opportunities, and take part in physical work projects on the campus.

“The missionaries build beautiful and life-changing bonds with the children as they give of their time and talents. Each missionary goes thinking they will change the lives of the children at Blessed Assurance, but they truth is, they change us,” Santilli said.

The teen missionaries for this year were Jack Farley, Sarah Gallo, Hayden Parkes, Ariana Tortolani, PJ Thomas, Christian Sorensen, Matthew Russell and Brenda Dillon from Cranston, and Keryn Berrell and Amanda Woodbury from Scituate. The adults included Santilli, Mark Colozzi, Caitlin Jackson and Maryann Johnson.

The students actually went through a rigorous process before going on the trip. All of them were in their junior year of high school. They had to be active in the church, been confirmed and shown dedication to their faith, as well as other requirements. Over 19 students applied for the 10 spots.

Once the missionaries were selected, the fundraising and orientation process began. Students actually started meeting once a week in January in preparation.

“One way they did fundraising was through the ‘Christmas Card’ program. The students sent out the cards specifically asking the recipients instead of getting them gifts, to support them on their mission,” Santilli said.

There were also bake sales and a special cabaret show coordinated by Colozzi, the director of music for Holy Apostles. The parish is extremely supportive and generous to all the travelers.

For several of the missionary families, it was the second and even third generation going on the trip.

Meeting with the missionaries after the trip, they were enthusiastic and energetic to share their experiences. We sat in the Youth Room at Holy Apostles Church on a hot, humid, rainy night, and the students could not have been more welcoming or respectful. They were excited to talk.

The one consistent theme each one relayed was that the children at Blessed Assurance had more unconditional love and appreciation for life then they expected. The residents would smile for everyone, they enjoyed the musical gifts the missionaries brought with them, and they taught the students about acceptance.

“It is a seemingly unlimited number of lessons learned … We were put there to give us a better life, not for us to give them a better life,” Christian said.

Jack commented on the orphans’ ability to love and connect with the missionaries.

“It was surreal. They did not have much, but they were so happy. We live in such a world of consumerism, we take for granted all that we have,” he said.

Of the 35 residents of the orphanage, only two of them have verbal skills. However, all the children were able to communicate their needs and show the love and appreciation they had for the missionaries.

Matthew commented on how he was able to come out of his own shell by sharing music with the orphans.

“I sang a few simple church songs with Mark [Colozzi], and seeing how happy it made them made it easier for me. These kids don’t want ‘stuff,’ they want you – your time, attention and love,” he said.

Colozzi added how it amazing to reach someone you never thought possible.

For several of the missionaries, it was their first time away from home, must less traveling all the way to Jamaica. For Ariana, that was the case.

“I didn’t know what to expect. It was my first time away from my family,” she said. “We had to leave all technology and sources of communication. The group became my family. They were a constant source of comfort. I treasured our times of nightly reflections. The hardest part was saying goodbye and leaving the kids. I didn’t miss my phone at all.”

The missionaries would all rush through their 6 a.m. breakfast to get to see the orphans. They enjoyed being with them the most. While they worked on painting or helping with repairs, their main focus was being able to finish and get back to “their kids.”

In PJ’s case, the connection between his self-confidence and the trip was instant.

“I met Sabrina, she is seven years old and nonverbal. I would take her to the chapel and spend time with her there. These kids all looked up to us,” he said.

Hayden spent much of his time with a boy who was the most nonverbal.

“He tied a simple piece of yellow string around my wrist to show his love and gratitude. I look at it daily as reminder of my mission and how easy it can be to love someone unconditionally,” he said.

The living quarters are not what you would expect when in Montego Bay. The missionaries lived in a dorm-style building with large living room and kitchen on the main floor, and two separate sleeping quarters upstairs.

The missionaries quickly learned the food was different as well. They dined on jerk chicken and spicy rice. The group exchanged private jokes and shared stories that only further proved how close they had become in one week’s time.

Sarah’s time at Blessed Assurance was so life altering that she has changed her career goals.

“I have friends who have gone on the mission previously, I thought I knew what to expect. It changed my life so much that it has formed my career path to now become a special education teacher,” she said.

For Caitlin Jackson, the experience was especially meaningful, as she didn’t go when she was in high school. Seeing the trip through her eyes as a chaperone, and first-time missionary was a unique experience.

“It was the most uplifting and rewarding experience one person can go through. Feeling their love, seeing the light in their eyes, it is so genuine. Since Holy Apostles has been going for eight years, they hold a special place in the hearts of Blessed Assurance,” she said.

The missionaries were sent with toys, games, stuffed animals and clothing all donated by the parishioners of Holy Apostles. They also donated drums and a keyboard to the orphanage.

“The gift of music is universal. It bridged the gap. Watching these children connect through music is something I will never forget,” Colozzi said.

Colozzi and Johnson both offered sincere thanks to Santilli for his direction.

“We never had to worry about anything. Mike made it all happen. He is the spiritual and social glue. We were a unique group in a unique place. We were blessed to have Mike and Monsignor Paul Theroux to be involved,” Johnson said.

One of the remarkable points Colozzi commented on was the lack of technology for the missionaries.

“We took 10 teens and came back with an amazing group of young adults who had no technology to communicate with. They developed instant bonds by talking and sharing,” he said.

The students, who attend different high schools throughout Rhode Island, get together just to hang out, go to the movies or for ice cream. They have formed a bond of friendship that they feel will be lifelong.

“It’s amazing to witness our teens caring the children at Blessed Assurance. This life-changing experience transformed the hearts of our young people as they so many blessings we take for granted in our lives. The teens also come to realize that they can make a positive difference in the life of another person,” Santilli said.