By Denise Konkol, Special to your Catholic Herald

In many traditional weddings, the statement of commitment is confined to the church ceremony. When Tammy and Mark Smith tied the knot in January of 2006 at Lumen Christi Church in Mequon, they wanted to extend that message of commitment to the reception as well.

As both were involved in the parish’s summer outreach program during high school, when they began dating, the Smiths wanted to give credit to the ministry that brought them together — and that has remained important in their lives. Instead of offering their guests party favors, they decided to make a donation to the summer outreach program in their honor.

They also extended the opportunity to their guests to make their own donation in exchange for a kiss.

“We had a box up at the head table, and instead of people clinking their glasses to have us kiss, we asked that they come forward to make a donation for summer outreach,” explained Tammy.

“We tried to be creative, but keep it clean,” said Mark with a laugh. “Of course, the bigger the donation, the better the kiss. Once Tammy and I stood on the chairs to kiss, and I believe that was for a $20 donation.”

Guests were enthusiastic about the idea, many who were fellow parishioners at Lumen Christi, which has seen the outreach program blossom. An estimated 100 high school students are now part of the program, which has no specific focus but to help where there is need.

“It really is a way to get teens involved in serving the community, wherever that may be and however that may be,” said Mark. “It could be participating in Bible study, picking up trash in downtown Milwaukee, feeding the hungry at a meal program — anything to get teens involved in service work.”

Although Tammy and Mark first met as first graders at St. Cecelia’s (a parish that merged with St. James to form Lumen Christi), they really began to get to know one another in high school during the meetings and service projects of summer outreach.

“I won’t say that we wouldn’t have started dating if it weren’t for the summer outreach program, but it certainly helped in getting to know each other,” said Mark.

“We have so many memories together, and have made so many friends through the program,” agreed Tammy. Started in 1991, Lumen Christi’s summer outreach is not unique. However, the fervent support of its parishioners and teen participants make it a success story.

Teens in high school may participate in the program, which initially can involve local community support. Tammy’s first experience was helping a family in Sheboygan with their farm over the summer, helping to put up a shed as part of her service.

Older teens may also venture out further for projects, including Eagle Butte Lakota reservation in South Dakota. Mark’s experience there used his skills in construction, and he assisted in painting and patchwork on the reservation’s rectory.

Summer outreach also finds itself in the Appalachian Mountains working to help the poorer rural communities there. It’s not easy work, but the teens involved are enthusiastic, many taking a week off of work to serve in this ministry.

Apparently, the interest and commitment toward the ministry doesn’t end after high school. As young adults in their mid-20s, Mark and Tammy contemplate continuing their involvement with the program.

“We have discussed becoming leaders, but we know that you have to be at least 25 to drive the vans (for rental car purposes),” said Mark.

In the meantime, their connection for a ministry that was instrumental in their coming together has spurred others into thinking in a similar vein, although both are quick to point out that an idea similar to theirs doesn’t have to be for summer outreach, but can be another cause that is important to the couple.

“It could be for cancer research, a social cause – whatever is meaningful for the couple,” said Mark.

“We wanted to do something at our wedding that reflected where our relationship started – and that was in service to the church,” added Tammy. “Now, because people were so touched by that, especially friends who were a part of the ministry, they want to do something similar at their weddings.”

Their guests helped to raise $300 for summer outreach at Tammy and Mark’s wedding in the middle of winter, proving that commitment to serving the church has no season.

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