Twelve youths, who are members of Austin Catholic churches, are raising money to give Denver a good cleaning.

Under the direction of Keri Flahive, the Austin Catholic Youth Minister, these high school-aged students have been selling soup and butter braids to Mass-goers at a Catholic church every Wednesday throughout Lent.

The money will go toward off-setting the cost required to make the trip to Denver this summer for fixing, painting and generally cleaning up low-income areas of the city.

Flahive said the work after Mass creates the opportunity for youth to show their interest in the church.

"Older people get to see younger people doing things for the church," she said. "Then they become a part of the church."

"Giving back to the church and the community is something everyone should be involved with," said Kristine Merten, a sophomore at Austin High School said.

The program is called Catholic Heart Work Camp. Every year, it focuses on a different U.S. city. Last year, it was held in Milwaukee.

Merten painted a blind man's house last year. She said she was amazed the living conditions of inner-cities are so bad.

Stephanie Gorman, also an Austin High School sophomore, said she was surprised by the attitudes of people living in low-income housing.

"People were really friendly, not like what I thought they'd be," she said. "It was kind of ghetto, but everyone was really nice."

The group will join up with about 400 other students from around the country before splitting up for various projects. This forces them to make new friends, instead of sticking to the comfort of an established circle of friends. Many of the students said they still keep in contact with friends made on previous trips.

Also, as a part of the program, there are masses and prayer time for the students to reflect on their work and their relationship with God.

"I would say it definitely makes me believe more in my faith," Merton said. "I feel like I'm doing something that maybe he (Jesus) did at some time, except in the 21st century."

Flahive limited the group to 12 on a first-come, first-serve basis. She said keeping the group small helps make sure the focus is on service and faith, rather than having it just be a fun trip west. She said she was surprised by the effects on some students.

"Some of these kids I'd never expect to go on something like this, but they go and come back changed," Flahive said.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2213 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com