Alternative Spring Break
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is an opportunity for a student to use his or her Spring
Break to serve those in need rather than themselves. The Alternative Spring Break
Program began in 1994 by the Campus Ministry Office under the direction of Christine
Edmonds. It focused on two primary locations - Ecuador and Mississippi - to assist
established mission programs in both the United States and Abroad. Today, the ASB
program has suspended missions abroad upon the request of the Bishop of Dallas. Students
may apply for the program in September. Interviews for places on the team(s) are held
in October. Faith formation begins in November for a March Spring Break.
Every team member prepares for the mission trip in a few of ways. They attend bi-weekly
one-hour faith formation meetings to learn, understand, and begin to implement the
cornerstones of ASB (Service, Prayer, Simplicity, and Community) before embarking
on the trip. They help with the fundraising activities of ASB (the Poinsettia Sale,
an Advent Tree, and the St. Valentine's Breakfast). They participate in a one day
retreat / community service project in the spring semester before Spring Break. This
preparation helps the students begin to form bonds with their teammates as well as
mentally and spiritually prepare for the service they are about to embark on.
The Alternative Spring Break team(s) leave campus the weekend Spring Break begins
and pilgrimage to their service location. Team members live with the communities they
serve in order to more effectively minister to the communities needs. Service to the
community takes many forms: constructing houses, feeding the poor, tutoring children,
building community with the handicapped, etc. The team members’ own spiritual needs
are met through daily prayer, reflection time, and mass. Through their work, each
team member learns their acts of giving leads to an abundance of spiritual gifts in
return.
After the mission trip, students return to campus more aware of the fortunes and graces
they are blessed with. The students speak about their experience at Dinner & Discourse
(an open forum event campus ministry holds every Tuesday night) and write a personal
reflection about their journey, which is published in a reflection booklet and posted
on the website. Many ASB alumni continue to participate in service while in college
and after they graduate. Some even attend additonal Alternative Spring Breaks. ASB
team members would say the mission trips are challenging and they are glad they took
the challenge.
If you desire to promote the mission of the Church, serve your neighbor as Christ
serves you, and/or discover who you are by participating in an Alternative Spring
Break, contact Denise Phillips in the Campus Ministry Office at 972.721.5168 .
