In this month’s Lasallian Volunteers “Ministry of the Month,” The District of San Francisco New Orleans is featured. The ministry is Cathedral High School El Paso and the Lasallian Volunteer is Rebecca “Becca” Hulick, 15-17. Becca went to The Pennsylvania State University and graduated in 2015. Becca focuses on how her faith and the mentoring from her Brothers helps her find her zeal for service.
WHAT IS CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL, EL PASO?
Cathedral High School is an all-boys high school grades 9-12 located in El Paso, Texas. The school serves students from El Paso and nearby Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. As it enters its ninth decade in existence, the school provides students with the individual attention needed to claim opportunities rarely heard of in the border region. For example, college courses taught at Cathedral High School in conjunction with the El Paso Community College, afford junior and senior students the opportunity to complete their first year of college while still a Cathedral student.
WHAT SERVICE IS THE SERVICE THAT BECCA PROVIDES AT CATHEDRAL?
Becca is the Writing Center Coordinator, a position that she created out of a need she saw during her first year as a volunteer. She is also a co-moderator of the Lasallian Youth Club, which is part of a nationwide movement of Young Lasallians who come together at Lasallian high schools to share faith, do community service, and experience community.
Becca with Cathedral students
HOW DID BECCA BECOME A LASALLIAN VOLUNTEER?
While Becca did not attend a Lasallian college or university, she found our program through her aunt who works at Saint Mary’s College. Her aunt, Sister Delores, told her about the program and how special it would be for her to become a Lasallian Volunteer. Becca began doing her research. What attracted Becca to the program the most was, “Faith in the presence of God.” She knew that it would be a challenge for her to serve as a volunteer and if she was chosen, she would say yes to this call she felt was from God.
Becca and her mom Karen with other Lasallians in Rome
HOW HAS BECCA’S FAITH IMPACTED HER AS A LASALLIAN VOLUNTEER?
While Becca has always had a strong faith life, she had gotten away from going to church. It was not until she came to Cathedral that things changed for her. She found a mentor that could help her regain faith in God. She says, “It was a struggle my first year as an LV to discuss the value of faith because I had forgotten what it meant to have it. I see the value of faith throughout my work with the students who participate in Lasallian Youth and go out into the community to help those who can’t help themselves.” In addition to working with her students at Cathedral, Becca was also chosen to represent the Lasallian Volunteers in Rome at the Canonization of our St. Brother Solomon Le Clercq. When we approached Becca about going on the trip, she was initially hesitant. She says of this opportunity, “I struggled to accept this great honor because I didn’t feel I deserved this once in a lifetime opportunity. I prayed about it and realized the Lord led me to this point. This trip was a blessing and the work of God. Every day I experience God and I notice him in other people more often than I did before.”
HOW HAS LIVING AND WORKING WITH THE DE LA SALLE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS IMPACTED BECCA?
For Becca, the Brothers have been crucial to her faith life because they have taught her to pray. She enjoys their morning and evening prayers. She feels it is the time of day where people are at their most human, giving their
Becca and her Brothers from the Cathedral El Paso Community
insecurities to God, each other, and being the most honest with themselves. She also appreciates the opportunity to come together as a community intentionally twice daily. The most important way her Brothers have impacted her is teaching her to enjoy life. She says, “Living in community with the Brothers has taught me a lot of about myself and it’s something you could only experience as an LV. One of the traits I have gained from the Brothers is how to be humble. I used to rush through my days and make it point to complete all my work so I could relax. Now I pace myself and I spend more time interacting with students and getting to know them and for them to know me.”
WHAT WOULD BECCA SAY TO COLLEGE SENIORS DISCERNING A YEAR SPENT WITH THE LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS?
Becca believes that the Lasallian Volunteers program allows young people to grow spiritually and professionally while working in an environment that the person cares about. She says, “The Lasallian Volunteers grants you access into the real world while not being completely alone. You are surrounded by a Lasallian family throughout your journey.” When Becca’s service year ends, she hopes to continue working in a Lasallian ministry or participate in Lasallian association groups wherever she is living. She says, “Becoming a Lasallian Volunteer has changed my perspective on life and has helped me grow to appreciate the people who have been by my side throughout my two years as a volunteer.”