Three Saint Vincent College students spent the end of their semester break completing a project that reaches out to the needy in an inner-city neighborhood in Philadelphia.

The Sarnelli House, a volunteer mission center in Kensington, is run by the Blessed Sarnelli Community Inc., which invites young people to share in their commitment to serve the needy through prayer, generosity and service.

John McCulloch, of North Huntingdon, spent a week there two years ago as part of a project with the Greater Norwin Youth Group, which is based at his church, Immaculate Conception, in Irwin.

"It was such a powerful experience that I wanted to go again when I heard that they needed help in renovating their new location," he said.

Mr. McCulloch, a sophomore majoring in Catholic theology and philosophy, recruited sophomore math major Robert C. Waruszewski, of West View, and Nathaniel L. Dippold, a junior math major from St. Marys, for the project that was sponsored by the Saint Vincent College Service Learning and Outreach.

They left Jan. 6, and returned Friday, in time for a new semester at Saint Vincent.

"When I was there, all the people were very thankful, saying 'God bless you,' and thanking us," Mr. McCulloch said. "They were so embracing. In serving them, it's serving Christ. It was such a great opportunity."

The three students stayed in Philadelphia with the Rev. Kevin Murray of the Redemptorist Congregation. He has been involved with the center for 12 years.

"For these young people to give their time, especially during their break, when they could be doing other things, deserves a lot of credit, Father Kevin said.

"The fellows did a great job and it was nice to have them."

Every week, the center serves about 200 needy people of all ages, many of them homeless, by providing meals and opportunities for hot showers. Volunteers give out blankets and warm clothing, and they interact with the guests, which is a vital part of the ministry.

"We made different stops through the city," Mr. Waruszewski said.

"On Thursday night, we were handing out hot dogs and hot chocolate, and when we were about to run out, one of the guys shared his hot chocolate with someone else. We tried to give him another, but he refused.

"It was touching to see his generosity. He was willing to take less so that other people coming could have more."

"I can best describe experiences like this as basically bringing you off your high horse," said Mr. Dippold, who last spring was part of a Saint Vincent service project that partnered with Habitat for Humanity in Mississippi.

"It brings you down to earth, and [makes you] appreciate the finer things in life.