{"id":94369,"date":"2018-12-24T06:00:43","date_gmt":"2018-12-24T11:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.regnumchristi.com\/en\/angel-for-a-day-builds-young-apostles\/"},"modified":"2023-11-29T16:27:24","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T21:27:24","slug":"angel-for-a-day-builds-young-apostles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.regnumchristi.com\/en\/angel-for-a-day-builds-young-apostles\/","title":{"rendered":"Angel for a Day Builds Young Apostles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you spend a little time in an art gallery looking at classic religious renditions of the apostles, you likely will have a particular impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paintings by masters like Rubens and Rembrandt portray older men with long hair, scraggly beards, and wrinkled faces. They don\u2019t look like them have spent much time at the grooming bar. Chances are they didn\u2019t take a daily hot shower and use balsam-scented hair conditioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frankly, they look a bit scruffy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, in reality, the apostles started their mission as young men, probably in their early 30s. Some had been fishermen, so they probably were strong and physically fit. They probably were a bit short on dental care and truly didn\u2019t use balsam-scented hair conditioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the mission of the apostle started at a relatively young age. And today, many apostles are young, fresh \u2013 and nicely groomed. They also come in both male and female versions and aren\u2019t even a little bit scruffy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It wasa small army of these young apostles who gathered December 8, 2018, at Nativity Catholic Church,<\/a> Washington, DC, to repeat a successful event from a year ago<\/a>: Angel for a Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the end of the day when I\u2019m tried and my knees hurt, a child comes out screaming, \u2018This is the best day ever!\u2019 which makes it all worth it,\u201d said Laura Juarez of the parish staff at the conclusion of the 2017 event.  \u201cThe effect of Angel for a Day is great because what we want is to attract more families, and to bring them, we need to begin with the kids. When the kids come, the families follow. The first time we had a youth day, families started to ask \u2018When\u2019s the next one? When will it be?\u2019\u201d She explained how this is important for that neighborhood, \u201cThe children don\u2019t just come and play, but they\u2019re also in a safe place and they are learning. We\u2019ve found that the kids transmit this learning to their own parents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The volunteer corps for the day included 30 youth \u2013most from the RegnumChristi ECYD Leadership Training Program (LTP)<\/a> \u2013 and 10 adults. The event drew 100 children and a couple dozen parents and parish staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LTP director for boys is Fr. Andrew Gronotte, LC; the director for the girls is Amelia Hoover, a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the surface, Angel for a Day looks pretty simple: a day of fun and games and gifts for kids who might not otherwise have such a joyful Christmas season. (The church is in a tough neighborhood.) But to the volunteers, parish, and beneficiaries it is much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia Gutierrez is a 14-year-old freshman at Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda, MD. And she was among the young apostles at Angel for a Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI always want to help others and spread the word of Jesus,\u201d Olivia said. \u201cI love teaching others, especially children, and building connections between people.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJesus sent his 12 apostles to us to help us and to guide us.  There are so many examples in the bible where Jesus teaches through his parables or stops to help others by healing.  By helping and guiding others I am striving to follow Christ’s teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia learned that often the role of an apostle is simple and not especially glamorous. During the event she ran the photo booth, where kids could have a picture taken with their friends \u2013 and take it home asa remembrance of the day. Part of her job included cutting out Santa hats, reindeer antlers, carrot noses, and other signs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese children are full of love and kindness and I will do anything I can to help them continue their lives spreading love and happiness,\u201d Olivia said. \u201cI originally thought that I was doing this solely to bring the light of Jesus to others, but I learned that those children and the other volunteers, brought the light of Jesus to me as well.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia saw that the example of giving to others wasn\u2019t lost on the children receiving gifts. In fact, some of the very young participants looked to be getting the idea of being an apostle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile we were eating lunch I asked Victoria what her name was,\u201d Olivia explained. \u201cShe didn’t say anything but she made hand motions and then reached for her prize bag.  She pointed in the bag and then to me.  She shared one of her prizes with me and she gave me a pencil to bring home.  I found it so sweet.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnother touching experience was when a young boy was sharing his candy with the volunteers.  Someone asked him what he was going to do with all of it and he said he was going to go around his neighborhood and share it with his neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia strongly encouraged other young people to get involved.  \u201cYou walk away knowing that you made a difference in someone’s life and there is no better feeling than that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andre Haddad, a 15-year-old from Potomac, who attends St. John’sCollege High School in Washington, gave a similar recommendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"