DSW: Making a Difference in Durham

Last Week, eight teens participated in our annual three-day DSW Youth Retreat.  Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, teens and facilitators engaged in meaningful in-person service with local community partnerships, and virtually formation on Salesian spirituality.

"The DSW retreat was a fun and rewarding experience, allowing me to serve my community and grow in my spirituality, even during a pandemic," said Ben Miranda. 

Frances Harris, parishioner and Daughter of St. Francis de Sales, led the three-part Salesian formation series titled, "What's Love Got to Do With It?: Obedience and Freedom." Salesian spirituality, focused on the teachings and writings of St. Francis de Sales, provided framework and guidance to this faith topic. The decision to obey is not passive. It requires the freedom of the will and the heart.
 

The great secret is this: find out what God wants, and when you know, try to do his will joyfully or at least bravely; and over and above all that, we must love God's will and the obligation it lays upon us. - St. Francis DeSales

Through service, the teens learned about how local agencies promote and uplift the sanctity and dignity of life, especially for our brothers and sisters experiencing a wide range of disparities.  

Community Partners

Food Justice Garden at Holy Infant
Participants harvested 189 lbs. of produce. The crops included watermelon, squash and tomato varieties. 

Keep Durham Beautiful
Our group spent two hours cleaning up litter on the American Tobacco Trail extension on Riddle Road.

Families Moving Forward
Teens repackaged diapers and wipes for families with infants and small children who are experiencing homelessness.

On the final day of the retreat, teens participated in a virtual bread baking activity. Inspired by the first Christian communities described in the Acts of the Apostles, the teens were encouraged to pray and break bread with their families.