It is my pleasure to report that Gospel Roads I in Lexington, Kentucky was a huge success!

A group of 17 individuals, many who had never heard of the Salesians or Don Bosco came together, and by the end of the week were a family. We prayed together, laughed together, and served together. Many of the people we served had never even met a Catholic before, and when we left, they were sad to see us go.

Participants and leaders were sent out to several homes where they cleaned, did yard work, helped with small repairs, but most importantly witnessed to the people. We also painted an adult day care center and cleaned school buses for the local head start program. Of course after we cleaned the buses it rained, so what else could we have done besides dance in it? The people at the head start watched smiling as a bunch of crazy Salesians sang and danced in the downpour. Joy was definitely evident to all those present. The kids loved us being there!

At the end of our work day, we would come back to the parish and attend Mass, have small group sessions, and come together as a community. We had a dance off, egg relay (with water balloons), and many other fun activities. During the week we experienced adoration twice, which was so incredibly powerful. The Holy Spirit swept through the place like wildfire as we offered up all of our experiences, trials, and joys... and prayer teams prayed over many of the participants and fellow leaders as Fr. Frank heard confessions.

On the last day we all went out for pizza at the best pizza place in town! (And the only pizza place in town.) Then, we stopped by a local waterfall before heading to Natural Bridge, one of the most beautiful scenic areas in KY. There we hiked up to the top of the rock formation which overlooked the mountains. Fr. Frank celebrated Mass with all of the beautiful mountains in the background before we headed back down the hill. After playing in the creek and hunting for turtles, we ate dinner and returned to the parish. The next morning we celebrated our final Mass together and received our Gospel Roads pendants. Affirmations were passed around, and everyone said goodbye to Fr. Frank and the parish they had called home for that very special week. We made our two hour journey back to Lexington where everyone said their final goodbyes, taking with them memories that will last forever.

This was a beautiful and powerful week. Lives were changed, people were healed, and the love and joy of Jesus Christ was spread to all of those we served.

I would like to thank all of those who remembered us in their prayers during this time. Although we were only in Kentucky for a week, the spirit of Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians still remains. This is only the beginning!

Written by Brendan O'Sullivan, program director