Special to The Hays Daily News

Inspired by the works of Mother Teresa, the Catholic Diocese of Salina launched its Prayer and Action summer mission program three years ago to help the needy in Kansas communities.

In 1979, when Mother Teresa accepted the Nobel Peace prize, she said, "I want you to find the poor here, right in your own home first. And begin love there. Be that good news to your own people. And find out about your next-door neighbor -- do you know who they are?" ¬ 

This summer, high school students and their adult sponsors will help those neighbors in need in the Hays area during a three-week mission beginning Monday.

The previous two summers, the Prayer and Action mission program has helped more than 200 residents in Junction City, Goodland, Salina and Colby.

More than 275 high school students have participated in the program. This summer, nearly 300 participants are expected. Groups already have spent two weeks working on projects in Beloit.

The program is set up to allow students and adults in the Salina Diocese to help the elderly, handicapped and poor in their own communities.¬ 

Sister Barbara Ellen Apaceller, director of youth ministry for the diocese, said that while the diocese believes it is important to help developing countries and the poor throughout the world, it is also important that people in need here are not forgotten. ¬ 

In general, the high school students and their adult supervisors will be painting and doing minor repairs and yard work. However, over the past two summers, there have been various other jobs that also have been undertaken by the students. ¬ 

All of the labor, supplies and materials are provided to the residents at no cost.

Most of the money that is used for these supplies has been made available through a grant from Catholic Church Extension Society. This money was made available at the time of the death of Pope John Paul II. ¬ ¬ 

In order to keep this program running for as many years as possible, the diocese works to be as efficient with the funding as possible, Sister Barbara Ellen said. Any contributions from the public are welcome.¬ 

Checks may be written to Diocese of Salina (Prayer and Action) and sent to Sister Barbara Ellen Apaceller, Diocese of Salina, P.O. Box 980, Salina, KS 67402.¬