At St. Michael’s, parish youth discover the greatest gift they can give is their time. By Lorena Reynoso
In the hills of rural Appalachia, the small but vibrant parish of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Unicoi County, Tennessee, becomes the center of something extraordinary each summer. For five days, middle school youth set aside their vacations for Faith in Action Team (FIAT), a week filled with service, prayer, and learning what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
St. Michael’s is dedicated to nurturing faith in an area where Catholics are few and far between. FIAT gives young parishioners the chance to grow spiritually while making a visible impact on their parish and community. Each morning begins with daily Mass, where the youth serve as lectors and participants. Afterward, they divide into two groups. One tackles projects on parish grounds, while the other heads into the community. The next day, they switch roles, ensuring everyone experiences both kinds of service.
At the church, projects are designed to leave a lasting mark: building benches, planting flowers, creating crosses, and more. Each task allows them to see how their hands helped shape the parish’s growth.
But FIAT is about more than beautifying church grounds. Out in the community, the youth assist elderly or disabled parishioners with yard work and home care — tasks that can feel overwhelming without help. Last year, one team spent a summer afternoon clearing a retired Navy commander’s yard, rewarded afterward with stories, gratitude, and a round of homemade ice cream sodas.
The youth also serve local organizations. At the animal shelter, they cleaned cages and cared for pets. At the Care and Share resource center, they painted shelves and organized clothing to help families in need. They’ve even walked the Linear Trail, picking up litter so neighbors can enjoy a cleaner community space.
One of FIAT’s most meaningful traditions is baking cookies for farm workers. After attending Mass in an open barn with no AC, the youth deliver cookies to farm workers who spend months away from their families. It is a humbling reminder of sacrifice, faith, and resilience.
Beyond service, FIAT emphasizes Catholic social teaching. Glenmary lay missioner Kathy O’Brien leads daily lessons, connecting the lives of saints to modern issues. Additionally, Director Darlene Donzella and parish volunteers dedicate countless hours to planning and supervision. Their efforts ensure that middle schoolers experience firsthand the joy of service and the power of faith in action.
For the youth of St. Michael’s, FIAT is more than just a week of activities. It is a living lesson that sometimes the greatest gift we can give is our time. And in offering theirs, these young people are building not only gardens, trails, and shelters, but the kingdom of God itself.
Photo Story Route
In the hills of rural Appalachia, the small but vibrant parish of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Unicoi County, Tennessee, becomes the center of something extraordinary each summer. For five days, middle school youth set aside their vacations for Faith in Action Team (FIAT), a week filled with service, prayer, and learning what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
St. Michael’s is dedicated to nurturing faith in an area where Catholics are few and far between. FIAT gives young parishioners the chance to grow spiritually while making a visible impact on their parish and community.
Projects at the church are designed to leave a lasting mark so the youth can see how their hands helped shape the parish’s growth.
But FIAT is about more than beautifying church grounds. Out in the community, the youth assist elderly or disabled parishioners with yardwork and home care — tasks that can feel overwhelming without help.
One of FIAT’s most meaningful traditions is baking cookies for farmworkers. After attending Mass in an open barn with no AC, the youth deliver cookies to farmworkers who spend months away from their families. It is a humbling reminder of sacrifice, faith, and resilience.
For the youth of St. Michael’s, FIAT is more than just a week of activities. It is a living lesson that sometimes the greatest gift we can give is our time. And in offering theirs, these young people are building not only gardens, trails, and shelters but the Kingdom of God itself.
