Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25:
Kellenberg students traveled to Spain as a part of Project Understanding over February Break.
Project Understanding is a Long Island based program that facilitates interfaith dialogue between Catholic and Jewish students on a shared pilgrimage. Students are nominated by their church or synagogue to take part in the program, and are acknowledged for their leadership skills, open heart, and ministry involvement.
Annually, Project Understanding groups travel to understand faith through world landmarks. This year, 24 young men and women, 10 of which were Kellenberg students, traveled throughout Spain to learn about the country’s multifaceted Jewish, Islamic, and Christian history.
During the week, the group traveled as far as from Segovia to Zaragoza. Their trip highlighted many of Spain’s landmarks, such as the synagogues of Toledo and the cathedrals of Madrid The diverse group of Christian and Jewish moderators and students broadened the standpoints of their discussions, giving all those involved a unique, new comprehension of their faith.
Senior Amanda Punturieri, one of the pilgrims, shares, “I was able to have deep conversations with my peers about faith and identity, something that I never really had the chance to do before. The trip reinforced my belief that coming together to learn from one another is the best way to understand.”
Upon returning, students had the opportunity to share what the trip meant for them. On Monday, March 10, the One Heart One Mind Many Cultures Club welcomed Bro. Peter, a teacher at Kellenberg and one of the trip’s moderators, and pilgrims to present on their time in Spain and how the pilgrimage enhanced their faith.
The trip was a beautiful reminder that faith, despite differences in practices, can unify passionate teenagers and adults alike. The students came back to Kellenberg, and their respective parishes, with a deepened understanding of their own and another faith.
