North Alabama Catholic Work Camp 2022 recently wrapped up another year of service. For over 20 years, the work camp has been giving high school teens the opportunity to go out into their local community and serve, physically being the hands and feet of our Lord.

This year, the work camp served many agencies: HSV City Senior Outreach Program, CASA, Burritt on the Mountain, Madison County Senior Center, Manna House, Downtown Rescue Mission, Catholic Center of Concern, UAH College Campus Ministry, RockSteadyBoxing for Párkinson patients, Friends of Rescue, and Christmas Charities Year Round.

The goal of work camp two-fold. The first goal is to serve. The second is offer the teens to opportunity to meet non-profits which they can find in most cities. Doing so will allow them to build a relationship and potentially continue to serve wherever life takes them.

This year marked the first in many years without Cathy Wissel who passed away in February. She was the sole keeper of a local community garden known as God’s Garden. Her vegetables and fruits were grown for local food banks and programs that feed the homeless. Wissel tended her garden, oftentimes alone, but every summer, the work camp was there to help. She was an amazing witness to God’s love and grace.

Of the 63 young people who comprised this year’s work camp, not one missed a day of serving in the hot summer sun. It truly was an amazing week. May all the glory go to God!