We Carry the Cross Together

by Maura Rocks

Today is Good Friday, a day set apart to remember and reflect on the crucifixion of Jesus. At Nazareth Farm, volunteers, staff, and community friends will mark this day by embarking on a 11.5‑mile hike through the rolling hills of Doddridge County. An old wooden cross will be carried for the entire journey. At each mile, the group will pause to reflect and share a part of the story of Jesus’ journey to Golgotha.

Last year, I traveled from Chicago to spend Holy Week at Nazareth Farm. It is truly a beautiful week in the holler. After the early days of the week are spent on worksites, the sacred days of the Triduum unfold with a distinctly different tenor. On Holy Thursday, we wash one another’s feet. On Good Friday, we carry the cross together.

There is something deeply powerful about bearing a physical cross; the wood rough and scratchy against the skin, its weight awkward and unwieldy. When it was my turn to carry the cross during the hike, I felt my mind and heart turn inward. I was reminded of the many crucified people in our world today, especially those who are suffering, oppressed, or relegated to the margins. I felt the pain of a world that is aching for goodness and justice to flourish. I recalled my own brokenness and my complicity in the harm of others and of our earth. I have to imagine Jesus carried similar aches in his heart, walking not only with the weight of the wood on his shoulders, but with the deep burden of love for a suffering world.

Good Friday invites us each into the paradox of the Christian story. We commemorate the suffering and death of one person, and in doing so, we are led into deep connection and solidarity with all who suffer. We contemplate death and endings even as the physical world around us bursts forth with new life. We hold grief and hope together as we recall to each other that the cross is not the end of our collective story, but the very means by which we are liberated.

This year on Good Friday, I will not be at Nazareth Farm, but I will still try to get outside and walk. Perhaps not twelve miles, but hopefully far enough to feel an ache in my feet—to feel connected, once again, to the story of Jesus who struggled and ached for our collective liberation. I will walk prayerfully, carrying with me the weight of the world’s suffering and my own. In that small, embodied act, I will remember that following Jesus is not only something we believe, but an intentional way we move through the world.

Today we walk, just as we are building a better and more flourishing world at Nazareth Farm, with purpose. Each step, like each act of service and generosity, is taken with intention, attuned to the needs of others, and grounded in love.

How will you walk with purpose this Good Friday?

Entering Into The Great Feast
A Reflection on the Triduum

by Deacon Thom Trunzo

Click here for the daily Holy Week Reflection from Deacon Thom

Entering Into The Great Feast
A Reflection on the Triduum

by Deacon Thom Trunzo

Let’s start with a basic Question: When does LENT end? Palm Sunday with the beginning of Holy Week? Holy Thursday? Good Friday? After the Easter Vigil? Easter Sunday morning at sunrise?

“Holy Week” is complicated, because it is indeed a holy week. There is Palm Sunday – The Chrism Mass – Mass of the Lord’s Supper – Good Friday – Saturday cemetery Services at noon – Easter Vigil – Sunday services & mass! So, Holy Week seems to be a good title for this period.

But it is, contrarily, a misleading title because this week is really broken into two seasons, and probably shouldn’t be thought of as one continuous week – It is a week divided!

This reflection is to help you stay engaged in the ONE FEAST since it is the feast of our salvation. One final note before we start; to really touch the soul of the Triduum is to embrace it, NOT as a simple recollection of the past Jesus events, but rather as OUR salvation! The very first words at the opening of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, while profoundly connecting us to the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, directs us to PERSONALLY enter in. It is OUR celebration of salvation.

The invitation is clear: while we certainly celebrate Jesus’ passion & resurrection, it is each of us who is being asked to enter into our own story of salvation. To use this most effectively, first open-up each of these sections as directed, taking some time to read and think about the summary. I suggest using the journalling technique by writing your thought, but equally as important, your feelings, being aware of movements and perhaps even unexpected thoughts and emotions.

Palm Sunday Evening Reflection

While Palm Sunday is not part of the Triduum, it is the doorway through which we begin our passage from Lent to the Triduum. Read the following as a small group if you have one (family, friends, over zoom) or by yourself.

Palm Sunday Gospel; Matthew 21:1–11

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:

“Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?”

The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Jesus did not want any fanfare! He was only recently run out of Jerusalem with threats from the Jewish leadership. He knew that his return would put him is grave peril. Yet he was bound by Jewish Law to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Some of the Apostles and many of his followers wanted him to proclaim that he was the long-awaited Messiah, probably for all the wrong reasons. And so, he is surprised when greeted by a throng of people proclaiming as such.

Group Reflection Questions:

1. What do you think Jesus was feeling when the crows surrounded him and proclaimed him as the one who comes in the name of the Lord?
2. If you were one of the Apostles, what would you be feeling or experiencing at this event?
3. Think of this entrance and compare / contrast it to an entrance of a typical king.

Quiet Private Reflection Questions:

1. To proclaim Jesus as “King,” means to follow him and his teachings. What are some ways in which I struggle or even fail to follow?
2. If we think of Jesus’ entrance outside the physical event and more of a Spiritual event, how is Jesus trying to enter my heart and soul? In what ways do I embrace his arrival? In what ways do I resist?
3. In what ways do I enter into other people’s lives? When I do so, do I enter and stay more on the surface or am I willing to enter into their pain or joys and be vulnerable and open to them as well?
4. God loves me unconditionally! God has sent these people into my life to show me that love. (make a list) After you have made a list, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for each of them. You can continue to add to this reflection throughout the remaining few days of Lent.

Prayer: Commit to starting and ending your day with prayer, no matter how much time you have. You can read a reflection, sit in silence listening to God, or do the dishes for another. 

Fasting: Add a practice of simplicity to your Lenten journey. You can turn your cell phone off for an hour each day, fast from hurtful language, or limit the amount of resources you use each day.

Almsgiving: Support Nazareth Farm as we build with purpose by purchasing new tools for home repair sites. 

“We need people in our lives who raise our standards and remind us of our essential purpose”  – Matthew Kelly

When we first traveled to Nazareth Farm in 2006, we were looking for a week away on a family mission trip. Little did we know the week would plant seeds that would expand our worldview and show us the power of serving others as a path to draw closer to Christ.

Life becomes rich and fulfilling when we live for something bigger than ourselves. All of us need a “North Star” that helps us to stay pointed in the right direction. As Catholic Christians, we’re called to love God and love our neighbors. Nazareth Farm showed us practical and powerful ways to put our faith into action.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.” Whether it’s building a wheelchair ramp so a neighbor can more easily get to the doctor or putting underpinning on a trailer to help keep it warm, the service projects share God’s love with those in need. The group interaction builds community with those being served, letting them know they matter and that they are not walking alone through life. And over the course of the week, volunteers realize that their service yields so much more than what they are “doing”, it moves them closer to “being” the person God created them to be.

Call it transformation. Call it revelation. Call it Building with Purpose.

Our initial visit to Nazareth Farm expanded my view of the Church. It led to many future visits and a term on the Board. We met so many inspiring staff members, many of whom we stay connected with today, most all of them continuing to live their faith with passion and purpose. I’m blessed to have them as role models as I continue my faith journey.

I’m proud to be a Naz Farm Alumnus. It’s been 20 years since we first turned onto Nazareth Farm Road and entered the holler. I still reflect on fond memories of family week service, bucket showers, the hike to hear Elijah yell, “God, are you there?”, and sitting in the O’Connor Room being asked where I saw God that day. I’ve adopted that question and ask it of myself each evening.

And I take comfort in knowing that the current staff is still welcoming home volunteers, many of whom will experience God in a powerful new way as they learn of the cornerstones of simplicity, prayer, community, and service. Which is why I consider it a good investment to donate to the Building with Purpose request for tools in support of the Nazareth Farm mission. As part of my Lenten observance, I plan to make a significant contribution to the effort and I hope you will support the cause as well. Expect a miracle!

Deacon Scott Haner, Former Nazareth Farm volunteer and board member

Prayer: Commit to starting and ending your day with prayer, no matter how much time you have. You can read a reflection, sit in silence listening to God, or do the dishes for another. 

Fasting: Add a practice of simplicity to your Lenten journey. You can turn your cell phone off for an hour each day, fast from hurtful language, or limit the amount of resources you use each day.

Almsgiving: Support Nazareth Farm as we build with purpose by purchasing new tools for home repair sites. 

Building with Purpose: Ash Wednesday Reflection

Each year, Lent reminds us of Jesus’s sacrifice of coming to the earth and dying for our sins. His love for us transforms our lives and has transformed the lives of billions of Christians in the past 2000 years. Each year Lent convicts me. How am I deserving of this love? How could I earn this?

I can’t.

I couldn’t.

So what do I do? How can I respond to this generous, unconditional love?

By imitating it.

By sacrificing for others.

By doing things with intention, with purpose beyond myself.

When visiting Nazareth Farm, volunteers live the Gospel through the cornerstones of community, simplicity, prayer, and service. The home repair we do physically repairs people’s homes, allowing them to live more safely and warmly in their own homes. Furthermore, it builds community with our neighbors, inviting conversation with volunteers that crosses cultures and generations.

And Jesus, too, was a fixer, a builder, a carpenter by trade. Jesus, too, built community around his mission of love.

This Lent, the Farm is Building with Purpose. We are asking our supporters to practice their Lenten almsgiving by purchasing tools from Our Wishlist or donate funds to support our mission. These tools build ramps and repair roofs! They give life to our wood shop where volunteers work on projects to take home as reminders of their transformative time at the Farm. Your gift helps us to transform the lives of volunteers and homeowners. Your Lenten gift helps us Build with Purpose the kingdom of God.

We hope you can join us in our Lenten journey,

Susan Hollis and Beth Patton, Nazareth Farm Board Members

Prayer

Commit to starting and ending your day with prayer, no matter how much time you have. You can read a reflection, sit in silence listening to God, or do the dishes for another. You can also join us for a Holy Week Retreat!

Fasting

Add a practice of simplicity to your Lenten journey. You can turn your cell phone off for an hour each day, fast from hurtful language, or limit the amount of resources you use each day.

Almsgiving

Support Nazareth Farm as we build with purpose by purchasing new tools for home repair sites. 

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Kahlil Gibran, from The Prophet

Living a Life of Service

Being a staff member and making a commitment to Nazareth Farm has been more than just a job after college for me. It has been my way of life. Being on staff here allowed me to truly embrace the cornerstones in every aspect of myself. I have been able to enrich my life in a new place with a supportive and loving community. I have connected and grown close with neighbors & homeowners and have learned about the rich culture of Appalachia while serving alongside so many. I have seen myself grow into a better person, confident that prayer, community, service, and simplicity can be a part of my life anywhere.

This is because I answered the call to give of myself and be present to the needs of others.

Unfortunately, today people often look down on the idea of taking a “gap year” – a term I try to avoid when talking about my time at Nazareth Farm. Time spent serving at Nazareth Farm is not a pause in my life, it is a fulfilling part of my life’s story (and real work.) When we interview new staff members, we always ask, “how would working at Nazareth Farm be a fulfilling growth opportunity for you?”, aka how does Nazareth Farm fit into your bigger life picture?

In my 20 months living at the Farm, I’ve been fortunate to be a part of dozens of other staff members’ and sojourners’ journeys. Many people come to Nazareth Farm expecting to serve others or take time to discern God’s call for their lives, and they do. But they also discover new skills, meet lifelong friends from around the country, learn how to run a nonprofit and minister to young people, and they see joy in the cornerstones. They all leave with a deeper understanding of how to be their best selves in the world.

I encourage you to think about how you can live a life of service. Maybe you are interested in spending a year or two at Nazareth Farm – or you know of a young person who should. If so, look at (or share) our website and start an application – it doesn’t hurt to just take a look. 

Vaya Con Dios, Friends

Since December, three staff members have headed down the mountain after serving at the Farm. Before joining staff, all of these also spent time as summer sojourners. Brendan, Gracie, and Vincent all left their mark on our hearts and on the Farm. While it’s always difficult to say goodbye, we are grateful for their time with us – and we know they’ll be back!

Brendan (aka boom boom, aka beef, aka his nicknames never stuck) showed care and dedication to every relationship and responsibility at the Farm. For over a year, he served as our Project Assistant, dedicating more time to each homeowner and assisting with project designs and billing. He also took our lawn care to the next level, even moving everything into a new and better shed. Brendan is back in PA, starting a new job near family and friends. 

If you’ve volunteered in the past two years, Gracie organized your trip and prepped your Monday lunch. She brought a wide smile and a generous heart to her work. Gracie worked on many homes, building porches and ramps, and she also completed the new chapel with Bobby last year. If you’re visiting the Farm soon, be sure to take some quiet time with Jesus in that space. Gracie headed west towards Wyoming, prepping for her summer wedding and next move.

Vincent kept the Farm running through his work on facilities and vehicle repairs, ensuring we could safely go to and from worksites. If V wasn’t under a truck, he was gathering people to play Spikeball or another game. He brought thoughtful listening and reflections to each conversation, helping volunteers dig deeper into their personal transformation. Vincent is moving to South Bend to start a new position, walking with others during their personal journey.

Join Us!

“Which of these three, in your opinion, was a neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”  He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” – Luke 10:36-37

A Word from the Board Chair

I first came to Nazareth Farm in 2008 as a college volunteer. Like most, I had no idea what to anticipate. After a long drive from Chicago, I exited the van into the cold March evening air weary and nervous. Without pause, a staff member bounded up to me and said “welcome home!” as she threw her arms around me into the best hug. She hugged me, a stranger, and welcomed me into her community.

Nazareth Farm stands for a radical hospitality which embraces (literally!) how Jesus calls us to be neighbors. A love rooted in community, simplicity, service, and prayer. A love which recognizes, above all else, the simple dignity of being human. A place where the stranger is welcomed home.

As we enter 2026, hopeful in our search for a new Executive Director, may we always keep our neighbors at the center of who we are as an organization. And may all of us model what we’ve learned so deeply at the Farm – the transformative power of a simple hug of our neighbor, whoever they may be.

I’m proud to share Nazareth Farm’s 2025 Annual Report with you all today. A few snapshots of our work are below, and you can read the whole report online.

Expect a miracle,

Daniel Zundel, Chair of the Board of Directors

Urgent Need: new staff members

Nazareth Farm is seeking new staff members to live in our intentional community, providing home repair to neighbors and leading volunteer retreats for students. If God may be calling you, learn more and take a look at our application here. No construction experience necessary, just an open heart and willingness to serve fully.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. There are immediate openings, and it’s not too early to apply for a summer or fall start date. Many staff members are recent college/grad school graduates, but this is a great opportunity for anyone looking for a career change or opportunity to serve others.

Ways to Give

• Donate online as you are able
• Provide stability: donate monthly or quarterly
• Buy an item off our Wishlist
• Donate assets such as stocks
• Plan your legacy and add Nazareth Farm to your estate plan

Questions? Contact Allyson Petry at development@nazarethfarm.org