Cooper Ray

For the past four years, I have had the privilege of serving as the Music Minister at one of the many Catholic Heart Workcamps that are held across the country each summer. First stop, Toledo, OH. When I arrived late Sunday night after having spent 13 hours traveling and missing my flight from Chicago, I was greeted by a couple of the members of Catholic Heart Workcamp Team 2-A.

The first thing I noticed was the incredible servant attitude that each member possessed.  I thought, “ahhh, it will wear off by day 2 or 3.  They’re just trying to put on a good face for me.”  I was mistaken.  All week long, day or night, I encountered nothing but positive attitudes and a willingness to put others first.  I had never seen this consistency of “servant attitude” among a staff.  Not only did it affect me, but it affected the entire camp.  Over 200 high school students gave up a week of their summer and served in amazing ways with amazing love.  I sensed early on that this week was going to be different and I was not disappointed.  The spirit that the young people exuded was, in my opinion, the result of a staff that truly embraced their call to discipleship.  I am so grateful for my time spent with all of them and only wish that I could have remained with the team as they loaded up their workcamp truck and moved on to the next city that would be graced by their spirit, energy, and most importantly a willingness to think of others before thinking of themselves.

I am reminded of a quote from Philippians 2:3 which states, “Do nothing out of selfishness or vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but for those of others.”