Campus Ministry

Compañeros International Service Program
Programa del servicio internacional en la República Dominicana

2009 Bridge at Dojima - US & Dominican Work Crew

David O'Brien '87

Compañeros is taking a year's "sabbatical" as we explore different opportunities in the Dominican Republic and other countries. We are looking into various host organizations for future international immersion trips. In the meantime, our emphasis is on our domestic Companions trips, which will take students to Laredo, Texas; Newburgh, New York; Erie, Pennsylvania, and Gulf Port, Alabama. There will also be an immersive summer Companions program right here in Buffalo.

Compañeros Mission Statement

"The Compañeros Program at Canisius High School offers the student an opportunity to respond to the Ignatian call to service. He is invited to grow in self-knowledge through an international experience of service to and solidarity with the marginalized. A personal encounter with communities and individuals bearing the weight of poverty, weakness, and financial dependence challenges a young man to understand these conditions while acknowledging the poverty implicit in his own weaknesses, shortcomings, and dependence. Likewise, the companionship of this encounter affirms the goodness and potential implicit in his strengths. Drawing upon four central components of community, spirituality, justice, and simple living, Compañeros engages the Gospel message while challenging the student to embrace struggle and discomfort in an unfamiliar, immersive, cross-cultural context. The program seeks to foster an ongoing desire to serve the needs of the other, coupled with a lifelong commitment to justice."

Compañeros Summer 2009 Returns Home
August 12, 2009

The third Compañeros team returned home on Friday, August 7th after a 23-day immersion in the Dominican Republic. The group provided funding and manual labor alongside the residents of La Cuchilla toward the construction of a single lane road bridge that will benefit that and several other villages. Living with Dominican host families provided an enriching cultural experience and a profound human connection. Twelve ten-hour work days saw nearly 150 tons of cement, sand, gravel, wood, rebar and water carried, mixed, formed, and poured by Dominican and American hands alike.

Before leaving the mountains, the group joined visiting alumni and faculty for a return to nearby La Norita, where the 2008 project now lies complete. Puente David was formally blessed at a dedication mass said by Rev. Patrick Malone, S.J., a Jesuit priest from the Wisconsin Province who works at the Institute for Latin American Concern in Santiago. Patrick Burns '08 read the dedication plaque in memory of his uncle, David O'Brien '87: "David's Bridge - Dedicated 2009 in memory of Mr. David O'Brien (1969 - 1998) - "A man for others" - Constructed 2008 by the people of La Norita in cooperation with the Compañeros program from Canisius High School of Buffalo, New York."

Following their two weeks in the mountains, the compañeros traveled to the north coast, where they lived and worked with Crossroads, and ecumenical Christian mission organization that serves the Haitian refugee population. They mixed and poured more cement to assist with two construction projects, including a classroom and a community pavilion. In addition to construction, the group staffed outreach ministries that serve the destitute residents of both the garbage dumps and decrepit sugar-cane factory towns called bateys.

For additional information or to find out how you can support this and other Companions service initiatives, contact Christopher Pitek, Director of Student Formation Programs at 716-882-0466 or email pitek@canisiushigh.org

Compañeros Spring 2008

Adam Augustyn (11)
Griffin Bell (12)
Michael Dillon (11)
Joe Harris (12)
John McHugh (11)
Ethan Notarius (12)
Adam Nugent (12)
Andrew Rogowski (12)
Nicholas Sperrazza (12)
Ray St. Marie (12)

Mr. Paul Cumbo '97
Mr. Adam Baber '01
Mr. Joe Zera '01

Compañeros Summer 2008

Luke Brockmyre (11)
Peter Bukowski (11)
Will Butt (11)
Chase Conatser (11)
Robert Finan (11)
Alex Hilton (11)
Jacob Moy (11)
Chris Rider (11)
Tim Sardinia (11)
Chris Vukelic (11)

Mr. Paul Cumbo '97
Mr. Adam Baber '01
Mr. Patrick Burns '08 (Alumni Intern)
Mr. Ian Toner '08 (Alumni Intern)

Compañeros Summer 2009

Tim Richards '10
Andrew Sauvageau '10
Ian Kamery '10
Zac Diebel '10
Jim Tatar '10
Brett Notarius '10
John Reiser '10
Cameron Walsh '10
Sean O'Neill '10
Dillon Insalaco '10
Nolan Fenzl '10

Mr. Paul Cumbo '97
Mr. Christopher Pitek '00
Mr. Jake Moy '09 (Alumni Intern)

	More Info CHS Students in Ascension
More Info	More Info Students & Faculty at "Puente David"