Year of Mercy Reflection

Friday, Jun. 24, 2016

I was very privileged to be a part of the first class in Juan Diego Catholic High School’s history to participate in a service experience that definitely changed my life. 

As a senior at JDCHS, I had the chance to go to The Children’s Center in downtown Salt Lake City for the first week in January. Before this experience I didn’t know about The Children’s Center, but now that I know what they do it makes my heart full just knowing that they are changing children’s lives. 

To me this experience wasn’t just another thing to complete so I could graduate high school. I enjoy serving because even though I am helping other people, I am the one that changes the most and opens my heart to others. Through serving you learn to love and appreciate the people’s lives you are touching because oftentimes, like this experience, you are with them for a period of time where you are able to learn more about them – their struggles, likes, loves, desires, and their hearts. 

If I could devote my time and even the rest of my high school career to volunteering at The Children’s Center then, trust me, I most definitely would. This experience made me love and appreciate those tender little hearts I was able to see every day for a week. They are the greatest examples to me. 

Why do we serve? We serve because we find ourselves in service and learn to appreciate what the world has to offer. We learn new things we may have never known before these experiences that teach us about love. 

Ellie Merrill

Juan Diego Catholic High School