Transformative Service: Cotter Schools' Journey to Jerusalem Farm

Submitted by JANA KORDER

In mid-July, seven members from Cotter Schools embarked on a transformative service trip to Jerusalem Farm in Kansas City. Jerusalem Farm describes itself as "a Catholic intentional community ... built on the four cornerstones of Prayer, Community, Service and Simplicity. We strive to transform our lives and those around us through service retreat experiences, sustainable living and home repair."

The Cotter team comprised senior Bryan Sullivan, junior Myles Brummer, sophomores Jacob Moore and Jaxson Greshik, alumni chaperones James Greshik ('22) and John Corcoran ('95), and staff member Marisa Corcoran.

The trip was filled with meaningful work and memorable experiences. One of the highlights was ripping up the old carpet in Shirley’s house and replacing it with bamboo flooring. The group cherished Shirley's company as they worked alongside her from Tuesday to Thursday. Myles Brummer reflected, “My favorite part of the trip was talking to Shirley and being able to help her house look better by putting new flooring in.”

Another significant task was identifying and removing invasive species at Cliff Drive in the Pendleton Heights neighborhood. The team also helped move and integrate six new baby goats with the existing herd of five adult goats, all of whom play a crucial role in eating the invasive species. Jacob Moore found joy in this task, saying, “I enjoyed working with the invasive species and learning how to identify other things, like wood sorrel.”

The group also embraced the local culture and cuisine, trying new foods such as a traditional breakfast in Jerusalem and the adventurous "Jeruben sandwich," which included one of everything in the lunch cooler. They tended to the gardens, harvested produce, and made delicious dishes like tomato soup.

Spiritual growth was another cornerstone of the trip. The group engaged in new forms of prayer, sharing reflections on simplicity, prayer, community, and service. Bryan Sullivan shared, “I learned new ways to pray and I also learned more about the other people that went with us from Cotter and their interests.”

Despite the sweltering heat, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, the group’s spirits remained high. They played countless games, including Spicy Uno, Spoons, Mafia, Pickleball, Soccer, and Code Names, fostering a strong sense of community and camaraderie.

Sullivan found personal growth in the manual labor, stating, “The most impactful part of the trip for me was putting in the flooring at Shirley's because I learned more about flooring and found out that I like it. Which is helpful for me because I want to do construction in the future.” He added,

“This was a good experience to meet new people and strengthen friends and new things.”

Chaperone Marisa Corcoran praised the group’s dedication, saying, “It was a joy to accompany these young men to Jerusalem Farm. They dove into the experience with good attitudes and worked so hard, despite the hot days. We had a lot of fun, laughed a lot, and grew in our faith together during this week. I'm already looking forward to next year's trip!”

The trip was a testament to the values of Catholic Social Teaching, as the group explored its principles in the context of Kansas City and the wider world. The week was a blend of hard work, spiritual reflection, and deepened relationships, leaving a lasting impact on all involved. As Brummer wisely noted, “Even if you think you won’t like something, you need to try it! Chances are you'll like it!”

Jana Korder works in communications, marketing & brand identity for Cotter Schools in Winona.