Category: Volunteers

Maintenance Garage: Steel Building Construction, Part III copy

Maintenance Garage:
Interior Framing, Jan 2023

by Eric Fitts, Director

Having worked in 2022 to frame out walls, posts, beams, and joists in Bay 5 (the first one we are framing out), then laying the loft floor and beginning the loft knee wall in that bay, we began 2023 from that point.

In January, with six days of work from Alvernia and St. Anselm, we completed the loft knee wall in Bay 5, then framed out walls, posts and beams in Bay 4.

Next, we’ll continue framing out the interior, run the wiring, install the vehicle lift, insulate the auto shop and wood shop, sheath the interior walls, build out the work benches and shelving, and outfit the auto shop and wood shop.

“Rebuild My Church” Capital Campaign

Delbarton School Service-Retreat at Bethlehem Farm

Delbarton School Service-Retreat at Bethlehem Farm
2022 Bethlehem Farm Working Retreat
2022 Bethlehem Farm Working Retreat

Last week, Br. William McMillan, O.S.B. and Br. Finnbar McEvoy, O.S.B. accompanied five Delbarton students to Bethlehem Farm in West Virginia for the School’s annual service mission. Attending the trip were Nicholas O’Brien ’23, Matt Pasko ’23, Patrick Moore ’23, Eoin Quinn ’23, and Daniel Brennan ’23.

Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Alderson, WV, the heart of Appalachia, that operates a local farm with the goal of transforming lives through service while teaching sustainable practices. The farm integrates four cornerstones into its mission: prayer, service, community and simplicity. While on retreat, guests from church and school groups learn what it means to live a life of prayer and simplicity while offering home repair services to low income residents in the area. During the summers, Bethlehem Farm invites high school and college students to volunteer a week of service to the farm, and the staff provides housing, food, gathering spaces and programming. 

Last week, Delbarton students began each day with a morning prayer that referenced one Catholic social teaching principle. Next, our boys assisted with chores around the farm: weeding in the garden, weed whacking, sweeping up etc. Breakfast was served,  then each young person was given a work assignment for the day. After a group prayer in the parking lot, each group set off for tasks that included reinforcing a ceiling and building a porch with on-the-job training when necessary. At each site, the group was guided by a full-time employee of Bethlehem Farm. At the end of each work day, everyone returned to the farm for dinner, followed by a review of the day, evening prayer, and time to relax before heading to bed. 

 Each Delbarton student reported that he enjoyed the hard work, meeting another student group from Indiana, and the atmosphere of faith inspiring a radical kind of life. Cell phones are powered off during each Bethlehem Farm experience, which presents a radical departure from everyday life for guests. Less screentime breeds more interaction with other paticpants, and more contemplative thinking too. 

Delbarton’s Bethlehem Farm mission is an annual community service tradition and we welcome students to join us. Boys interested in attending a future Bethlehem Farm mission are encouraged to contact Director of Mission & Ministry Mr. Matt White. Learn more about life at Bethlehem Farm and support the farm’s mission here. 

March 1-7: Eastern Mennonite, St. Peter’s University, and Loyola Chicago copy

March 1-7: Eastern Mennonite, St. Peter’s University, and Loyola Chicago

March 1-7: College Week

Groups from Eastern Mennonite, St. Peter’s University, and Loyola Chicago

The first of 3 College Group Weeks in a row! Groups from Eastern Mennonite, St. Peter’s University, and Loyola Chicago, joined us to paint a house and move a ton of wood with Leota, replace an underpinning with Paul, seal a roof with Paige and Courtney, and start a foundation repair with Bonnie. Thanks to summer servants Katherine Warth and Patrick McGinnis for joining us for laughs, hard work, and great meals. And that’s on PERIOD!

March 8-14: College Week: Avila University, Benedictine College, University of Notre Dame

March 8-14: College Week: Avila University, Benedictine College, University of Notre Dame

March 8-14: College Week: Avila University, Benedictine College, University of Notre Dame

March 8-14: college week. Groups from Avila University, Benedictine College, and University of Notre Dame joined us last week on their spring break. A crew worked with Tori and Leota to finish up painting her house and a few other jobs. We served on home crew with Steve and Colleen to provide delicious meals. Eric brought a farm crew to Farmer Rhonda’s to assist with construction of her high tunnel and playing with baby animals. Joseph and a crew worked with Bonnie to continue replacing a foundation. And Raine and Gemma worked with Ann to continue repairing porches and her roof. Former Summer Servant Emma Qualy Pearson brought her knowledge and joy to the week, and seasonal servant Marty squeezed back in time to lend a hand in the kitchen.


It was a privilege to welcome BC home for the first time and have them join some of our long-time partners. Thanks for the hard work and inspiring prayers!

January 5-11: St. Anselm, College of Mount Saint Vincent, and St. Paul at UW-Madison

January 5-11: St. Anselm, College of Mount Saint Vincent, and St. Paul at UW-Madison

January 5-11: College Week

Groups from College of Mount Saint Vincent, St. Anselm and St. Paul’s University Catholic Center joined us for a great start to 2020.

Groups were blessed with a half-day on Tuesday to take time hiking, sledding, and relaxing in the snow. We spent the rest of the week bundled up as we worked with Mike Jenkins on his roof and Charlotte Summers to fix her porch. We were fortunate to help farm friends Rhonda Sherman Dortch on her high tunnel construction and Anne brown to prepare for growing season on her farm. A farmcrew helped Eric Fittsdawg continue siding on the San Damiano Center for Sustainability.

We deep cleaned the Farmhouse, split wood for the stove, and harvested many greens from our high tunnel and greenhouse. Former summer servant Cece Pateman joined us for the week, and Marty Nocchi came back for the week to make history as the first “summer” servant to serve in all seasons. We’re still working on names; some are calling him well-seasoned!

Our volunteer group enjoying a prayer experience at the top of Bill Mann’s Hill, cheering on Wisconsin despite coming from other schools

Fun sledding down the hill!

Ursuline Students Live Service, Faith at Bethlehem Farm

Ursuline Students Live Service, Faith at Bethlehem Farm

We had a great time this summer with the group from Ursuline New Orleans–check out this reflection on their experience. Click link below:

Ursuline students live service, faith on W.Va. farm

We are delighted to see that they brought composting and reducing food waste back home with them (making a difference in their school dining hall), as they share their cornerstone experience in so many ways.

The Ursuline New Orleans group with Clare and Miriam Fitts

SAVE THE DATE: December 14th, 2019, Bethlehem Farm Benefit in Chicago

SAVE THE DATE: December 14th, 2019, Bethlehem Farm Benefit in Chicago

Please mark your calendars for our annual celebration/fundraiser at our winter benefit in Chicago on December 14th!! 

5:30pm: Vigil Mass for the 3rd Sunday in Advent
7-10pm: Event

Will include complimentary food and drink, great conversations, a short program of speakers, a silent auction, and raffle.

More information will be posted later.

Meet others with similar passions and interests.
Bid on beautiful quilts that make unique Christmas gifts.
Take home some one-of-a-kind artwork.
Enjoy hearing about the past year at the Farm and future plans.
Laugh along with students sharing the impact of their Bethlehem Farm experience.
See highlights from our low-income hoe repair sites.
Enjoy a beautiful space provided by close partner, St. Ignatius College Prep

July 7-13, 2019, High School Week

July 7-13, 2019, High School Week: St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City), Loyola Blakefield (MD), Geurin HS (Noblesville, IN)

Thanks to the groups from St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City), Loyola Blakefield (MD), and Geurin HS (Noblesville, IN) for a great week of service-immersion in the Gospel cornerstones.

Making a difference serving with Missy, Teshla, the Clark family, Wellspring of Greenbrier, Sprouting Farms, Home Crew, and Farm Crew (constructing San Damiano, repairing the water-damaged driveway, and planting and harvesting the garden).

Thanks to these students and their group leaders Steve Morrill, Adelaide, Robin, James, Lauren LaCoy, and Luke Hoefer for their servant hearts.

Thanks also to our Summer Servants for the week: Marty Nocchi, Kevin Truong, Alexandra Sinner, Claire Sofronas, Jake Harper, Frances Rafferty, Molly Sutter, Mea St. Amour, Patrick McGinnis, Jack Lampton, Anna Beeman, Charlie Smith, Bonnie Nickander, Laren Cobb, and Jackie Myers. And thanks to special guests, the Martins Family, missionaries to the Diocese of Green Bay through the Family Missions Company, who were staying with us for a few days after being introduced by our friend, Julie Engel.

Caretakers and Summer Servants

June 30-July 6, 2019, High School Week

June 30-July 6, 2019, High School Week: St. Mary of the Woods (Chicago), Fr. Ryan HS (Nashville), & John Paul II HS (Hendersonville, TN)

Thanks to the groups from St. Mary of the Woods (Chicago), Fr. Ryan HS (Nashville), and John Paul II HS (Hendersonville, TN) for a great week.

Making a difference serving with Melissa, Teshla, the Clark family, Farmer Rhonda, Home Crew, and Farm Crew (constructing San Damiano and planting and harvesting the garden).

Thanks to these students and their group leaders Amanda, Parvin, Erin, Brent, Neelie, Bryan, and Megan for their servant hearts.

Thanks also to our Summer Servants for the week: Marty Nocchi, Kevin Truong, Alexandra Sinner, Claire Sofronas, Jake Harper, Frances Rafferty, Molly Sutter, Mea St. Amour, Patrick McGinnis, Jack Lampton, and Anna Beeman. And thanks to special guest Nick Cochran, a Diocesan seminarian working with Fr. Arthur Bufogle this summer who was able to spend the week with us.

John Paul II HS, Hendersonville, TN
St. Mary of the Woods, Chicago, IL
Fr. Ryan HS, Nashville, TN
Caretakers and Summer Servants

June 16-22, 2019, High School Week

June 16-22, 2019, High School Week: Cristo Rey Chicago, Ursuline (MA), Ursuline (New Orleans), & Our Lady of Grace (IN)

Thanks to the groups from Cristo Rey Chicago, Ursuline (MA), Ursuline (New Orleans) and Our Lady of Grace (IN) for a great week.

Making a difference serving with Melissa, Teshla, Wellspring, Farmer Rhonda, Home Crew, and Farm Crew (constructing San Damiano and planting and harvesting the garden).

Thanks to these students and their group leaders Laura, Elisabeth, Beth, Sue, Katie, Paul, Rob, and Alex for their servant hearts.

Thanks also to our Summer Servants for the week: Grace Pallisard, Marty Nocchi, Kevin Truong, Leah Buck, Gabby DaCunha, Alexandra Sinner, Claire Sofronas, Sarah Schuster, and Marianne & Robert Croisant (and little Sebastian).

Cristo Rey Chicago
Ursuline High (Dedham, MA)
Ursuline (New Orleans)
Our Lady of Grace (IN)
Full Group
Caretakers and Summer Servants