German Teens Serve South Bronx Parish as Redemptorist Volunteers

Two young men from Germany traveled across the world to serve and assist people who happen to live and worship in the Bronx.

Thomas Holzhausen, 19, and Philipp Klingenhager, 19, volunteered at Redemptorist-run Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, where they served under the pastor, Father Francis Skelly, C.Ss.R.

The two assisted at Immaculate Conception School, helped with the parish youth group and catechetical program, and in whatever other capacities they were needed.

Father Skelly told CNY the two young men had “lots of life and energy.”

“They were willing to do anything,” he said.

The young men were part of a yearlong Redemptorist volunteer program. It marked the first time the program sent volunteers to the Bronx.

Before leaving to return to Germany Aug. 4, they were feted at a farewell Mass at the East 150th Street parish church the day before.

During their stay, which began last September, the two men ate and prayed with the parish’s Redemptorist community, learning what it was like to live as a priest.

“They came to a better understanding of Redemptorist life,” Father Skelly said.

The two also caught a full glimpse of New York life, attending Yankees, Mets and Knicks games, and visiting some New York landmarks.

Above all, however, they were at Immaculate Conception to serve.

“They had a great attitude of service. They were here to serve the parish,” Father Skelly said.

In an interview, Thomas told CNY that he and Philipp attended the same Redemptorist high school in Bonn, Germany. He liked the charism of the Redemptorists, which says, “Go out to the people.”

He told CNY, “They have a great need in the Bronx. Fifty percent of people live below the poverty line.”

“We are going to where the poor people are,” he said.

The activity he enjoyed the most was working with young school children. “They are just adorable,” he said. “You work with them, and it’s so much fun because they are so happy with small successes. It makes me smile. I enjoyed this work.”

Philipp told CNY he and Thomas have known each other since childhood. That was helpful because they each knew the strengths and weaknesses of the other and could compensate as needed.

“We worked at an inner city parish,” he said. “You can’t change the world, but you can help, one, two or three people. That’s the beginning.”

Living in a foreign country was an adventure that allowed the two men to build relationships with the people of the community they were serving.

A typical day included working in the school, helping out the Redemptorist’s vocations director, shopping for groceries and performing other daily tasks. The day included morning and evening prayer and socializing with members of the Redemptorist community.

“I liked the continuity framed with morning and evening prayer,” Philipp said. Working within a framework didn’t mean things were routine or boring.

“There was a good balance between continuity and variety,” he said. “Every day something was going on.”

His favorite task was working with the youth group on Friday evenings. Members ranged in age from 14 and 22. He said that it was nice to “share faith and fellowship.”

He told CNY that the whole experience was about “learning about yourself, learning about work and your own faith, and your own spirituality.”

“I liked the missionary aspect of it,” he said. “You change places, see different people, which makes it easier to make the time more interesting.”

John Woods contributed to this article.