STANDISH — In an effort to share their faith through sacrifice and service, 21 teenagers from New Jersey spent last week in Maine serving others by painting, planting, weeding, mowing, cleaning and doing similar chores to help those who could use a hand.

“It’s always rewarding helping others,” said Sarah Conner, 17. “Helping others with their houses or gardening — it just makes you feel good inside.”

The teens and their adult chaperones stayed at Saint Joseph’s College and spent each day performing service work in the Lakes Region, as well as in the Lewiston and Portland areas.

The teenagers are members of the VITA youth group from Sacred Heart Church in Haworth, N.J. Each year, members of the group go on a summer mission trip somewhere in the U.S. This year, they connected with Catholic Charities Maine.

“We try to find a place where there is a need for help and that is also safe for our kids,” said the Rev. Stephen Fichter of Sacred Heart. “Somewhere where they can learn about Catholics in other parts of the country.”

There has been no shortage of work — or gratitude — along the way. The teens have painted, cleaned and cleared out a wooded area at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Windham; helped members of the Community of the Resurrection in Otisfield clear out weeds; worked with Maine Island Trails Association and the Fort Williams Park Foundation; and helped individual homeowners with house repairs and yard work.

The teens and their chaperones describe the work and the trip as extremely rewarding.

“It’s something I love to do,” said Kevin Doran, 18. “You see what your faith is doing for other people by giving service and helping out other people who need help.”

Past trips have taken members of the group to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, to Colorado after devastating flooding, and to the Jersey Shore following Hurricane Sandy.

“It’s really amazing to be able to work with these young kids and see how hard working they really are when they put their minds to it,” said Jackie Buckley, a parent and chaperone.

After a closing Mass in Otisfield on Thursday, the group departed Maine on Friday, but their visit will not be forgotten by the many people they helped or by the participants themselves.

“It’s nice to be able to give back to the community and spread God’s message of helping others,” said Brian Holden, 18.