Over the summer, CJ’s ministry and service offered several travel opportunities to help Chaminade Julienne grow in their faith. Two of the trips were service-focused immersion trips to Tacoma, Washington, and Rutledge, Tennessee.
“These immersion trips can be incredibly transformative for students,” said Burns. “It is an opportunity for them to travel outside of their comfort zone, to experience a different place, live simply, and discover new ways to put their faith into action.”
In early July, Molly Shoen ‘26 and seven of her CJ peers flew to Tacoma, Washington. There, the students participated in various service projects with the Tacoma Catholic Worker, an organization dedicated to creating community for individuals who are experiencing 
homelessness. Most of the service work involved landscaping to improve conditions in the Catholic Worker urban garden.
“Meeting the Catholic Workers out in Tacoma was impactful,” said Shoen.”Serving others is their entire lives. Although their lives were simple, they were full of joy. It made me want to devote more of my time to service and spend more time out of my comfort zone to try to help others.”
Shoen admits that she learned a lot from doing manual labor and not having the comforts of home.
Shoen stated, “I would encourage anyone considering an immersion trip to jump at the opportunity. It was an awesome experience!”
Other work involved participation in various community programs, including attending their Tuesday evening group dinner, which offers a prayer service and a free meal to anyone in need. The group also had the opportunity to volunteer for a morning at L’Arche Tahoma Hope Farm. L’Arche is an organization providing community living and work opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities. During downtime, the group had the opportunity to explore the Tacoma/Seattle areas and experience the beautiful nature of the Pacific Northwest. They also took part in prayer, reflection, and conversation related to faith and justice.
The final immersion trip of the summer occurred in late July, when Penelope Nelson ‘26 and eight CJ students went on a road trip to Rutledge, Tennessee. They helped run a day camp organized by Glenmary Home Missioners for local children from families who are primarily migrant agricultural workers. Students from Badin High School, another school affiliated with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, collaborated with CJ students to entertain the children with crafts, games, and other activities. In the afternoon, there was time for reflection, faith sharing, and taking in God’s beauty with views of the Joppa Mountain and the surrounding Smoky Mountains.
To Nelson, the most impactful part of the trip was coming to camp and seeing the kids’ faces light up when the bus turned into the parking lot.
“Whether it was making a bracelet for them, painting something for them to take home, or playing zombie tag with them, they took those things to heart and were so grateful that we were there,” she said. “I also had the opportunity to work at a food pantry. It was great because everyone there stayed focused and dedicated to moving, unloading, packing, and bringing out food for everyone who needed it. This trip inspired Noah, Owen, and me to translate our passion for these kids from migrant families and their community into our senior capstone project.”
Nelson encourages other students to take every chance to serve God and give back to the community.
“Your presence and your effort mean more than you think, and every act of service is changing the world positively,” said Nelson.
“I hope these experiences allow our students to think differently about how they approach certain situations, and recognize the ways they can use their gifts and talents to meet the world’s greatest needs, whatever their vocation may be,” said Burns. “The ultimate outcome is a renewed understanding of social justice and that we all have a role to play in dismantling systems of oppression, as Jesus outlines in Matthew 25:35-36: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”