On Saturday, Oct. 24, Saint Mary’s University students, faculty, and staff joined forces for the annual Lasallian Day of Service, lending a helping hand to neighbors across the Winona area. The event brought the campus community together to live out the Lasallian mission through direct, impactful local outreach. This year’s campus ministry efforts focused on supporting residents who needed extra assistance preparing their homes and properties for the upcoming winter months. The student senate focused on cleaning up highway 14 for the annual highway cleanup.
The Winona-area community effort was organized by sophomore peer minister Rachel Daniels, who coordinated outreach to identify local residents in need of support. She managed the logistics of matching Winona homeowners with volunteers from the Saint Mary’s community, ensuring that help went exactly where it was needed most. Thanks to this careful planning, students were deployed to multiple residents across the region (even into Wisconsin), maximizing the day’s impact.
Faith: Rooted in the Lasallian pillar of faith, the day began at 8:00 AM with a morning Mass celebrated by Father Kevin Stolt, University Chaplain. Gathering in prayer allowed the participants to ground their upcoming physical labor in a spiritual purpose, centering their hearts on Christ before heading out into Winona. This Eucharistic celebration served as a powerful reminder that their upcoming work was a living expression of the Gospel.
Service: A dedicated team of about 25 students, alongside Father Kevin, spent the day tackling essential seasonal property maintenance. The volunteers rolled up their sleeves to rake leaves, clean windows, trim overgrown trees and bushes, and mow lawns. Their hard work provided critical physical relief to residents facing daunting winter preparation tasks, showcasing the active spirit of service that is a pillar of the Lasallian spirit.
Community: Beyond the yard work, the day fostered building connections, as students stayed after each cleanup to visit with their hosts. These moments of conversation provided a deeply meaningful experience for the participants. By balancing hard work with fellowship, Lasallian Day of Service left a lasting impression on both the students and the Winona-area residents they served.
