Saint Mary’s students complete service trip to Guatemala

Saint Mary's students at the Mayan ruins of Zacaleu. Since their return, the Volcano Pacaya, has erupted and Guatemala has also experienced severe flooding.

Diana Lundeen with children of the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos school and orphanage.

WINONA, Minn. — Nine Saint Mary’s University students, joined by Chris McClead, director of SMU’s Campus Ministry, completed a Serving Others United with Love (SOUL) trip to Guatemala May 9-19.

The students, including Abby Voigt, Allison Stephens, Shannon Nelson, Rachel Elbert, John Speedling, Kelly Holt, Diana Lundeen, Ellen Bina and Emily DeWitt, traveled to Antigua, Huehuetenago and San Lucas Toliman to see how some Guatemalans live from day to day.

This trip was intended to ignite a flame on the Winona campus for the life and work of Brother James Miller, a 1966 Saint Mary’s alumnus who was killed while serving in Guatemala in 1982. Brother James has been designated a “Servant of God” and is being considered for sainthood.

The trip’s objectives were:
• To inspire students to live a life dedicated to others by visiting the Brother James Miller House, the school for the indigenous in Huehuetenango, and reflect on how their lives might also serve the common good.
• To provide students with an opportunity to see various non-profit organizations serving the marginalized of Guatemala.
• To have students connect to the Lasallian family and witness the Lasallian mission specifically with the communities of Antigua and Huehuetenango.

Social justice issues encountered included: global solidarity, poverty, education, immigration, advocacy, fair wages, and economic policies in a global market.

Saint Mary’s to host fourth Row, Ride, Run Triathlon

WINONA, Minn. — The fourth Saint Mary’s University “Row, Ride, Run Triathlon” will take place on Saturday, April 24, at 9 a.m.; check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on the west end of Lake Winona. The public is encouraged to take part in the triathlon.

Participants will canoe or kayak a 2.5-mile loop around Lake Winona, then bike 14 miles from Lake Winona to the SMU campus. Once on campus, racers will run 3.1 miles through the bluffs surrounding the university.

Proceeds assist Serving Others United in Love (SOUL), a program of SMU’s Office of Campus Ministry. Through SOUL, members of the Saint Mary’s community participate in national and international service trips.

Participants may begin registering now, either as an individual or as a team. Teams may consist of two, three or four members. The registration period ends April 16. The fees are $15 per individual or $30 per team; registration spots are limited. Event organizers have reduced the cost of this race to increase participation. This is a great event for beginning triathletes.

Racers are responsible for bringing their own bikes, and are required to wear helmets for the bicycling leg of the event. Canoeists and kayakers are required to wear life jackets; a limited number of canoes and kayaks are available to rent for a suggested donation of $5.

For more information, or to register online, visit www.smumn.edu/rowriderun. For information on reservations, call (507) 457-7268.

Saint Mary’s to host second Row, Ride, Run Triathlon

WINONA, Minn. — The second Saint Mary’s University Heart & SOUL “Row, Ride, Run” Triathlon will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 9 a.m.; check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on the west end of Lake Winona. The public is encouraged to take part in the triathlon.

Participants will canoe or kayak a 2.5-mile loop around Lake Winona, then bike 14 miles from Lake Winona to the SMU campus. Once on campus, racers will run 3.1 miles through the bluffs surrounding the university.

Serving Others United in Love (SOUL) is a program of the Office of Campus Ministry at SMU, and offers opportunities to members of the SMU community to serve and be served through both national and international mission trips.

Participants may begin registering now, either as an individual or as a team. Teams may consist of two, three or four members. The registration period ends April 14. The fees are $35 per individual or $60 per team; registration spots are limited.

Each racer is responsible for bringing their own bike, and is required to wear helmets for the bicycling leg of the event. Canoeists and kayakers are required to wear life jackets; a limited number of canoes and kayaks are available to rent for $20. SMU students and employees can use canoes and kayaks at no charge.

For more information, or to register online, visit www.smumn.edu/heartandsoul.