Loyola Blakefield Seniors Live Out “Men for Others” Motto
This summer, a group of rising seniors from Loyola Blakefield, a Catholic Jesuit school known for its commitment to forming “Men for Others,” put their faith into action by volunteering to help Hamilton Presbyterian Church clear out its facility. Their work, marked by sweat, service, and solidarity, reflects the Jesuit mission to shape compassionate leaders who serve their communities.
Hamilton Presbyterian, a long-standing church in Northeast Baltimore, recently faced the daunting task of clearing out decades of accumulated furniture and supplies. This step is essential for positioning Hamilton to repurpose its space for future ministry and outreach. With a limited staff and aging congregation, the church reached out for help.
That’s when the Loyola Blakefield students stepped in. Coordinated through Jennifer Pearson along with Loyola’s Office of Ignatian Service, young men arrived ready to work. Over the course of a single morning they lifted, sorted, loaded, and hauled out room after room of old, unnecessary furniture and supplies, filling an entire dumpster.
The pastor and members of Hamilton Presbyterian were deeply moved by the students’ respectful presence and tireless energy. In a time when young people are often characterized as disconnected or self-focused, these Loyola students are living proof that a different narrative is not only possible—but already happening. Through their hands and hearts, they reminded both churches and neighborhoods what community really looks like: people showing up, helping out, and lifting one another up.
As the dust settles at Hamilton Presbyterian, new possibilities are rising from the cleared space. And for the Loyola Blakefield seniors, so is a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Man for Others.
By Jennifer Pearson, Ruling Elder at Babcock Presbyterian Church, Biology and Forensic Science Instructor at Loyola Blakefield
