Mary Jo Holmes, RSM

 

       Over 10 years ago, when Detroit Regional Community Leadership invited me to represent Detroit for the Institute-wide MVC project, I, of course, had no idea what I was saying "Yes" to.  However, it was clear to me that Leadership really valued MVC, even though Detroit didn't, then, have a volunteer site.  Upon doing some research, I learned that an Associate and some Vowed members had kept Detroit connected to the bigger picture over the years, and that we even had a volunteer, one year, awhile back.  Then, participating in annual Institute-led meetings, I learned that it didn't matter whether, or not, we had Volunteers; there were many important ways to engage with the project. 

So, my first years were spent working with Detroit Communications staff, learning how to market MVC and to do recruitment work.  It was a privilege to work closely with parishes, throughout the state, who knew Sisters of Mercy, valued our Charism, and were delighted when one of their members was called to serve society's marginalized with us. 

Then, 7 years ago, Detroit invited now National MVC Coordinator, Marie Shultz-Stebel to speak, at a community meeting, about her call to MVC.  Marie ignited a spark that is still burning brightly!  With the decision to apply to become a MVC site, my responsibilities changed significantly.  With a core committee of Associates and Sisters, I cultivated ministry sites, looked for housing, and worked out the details of finances, transportation and support for our new volunteers.  Once the volunteers arrived, I remained the point person.  However, I was in education ministry, across the state, so I continued to rely heavily on the talents and generosity of the core committee, as well as the Corktown neighborhood community, where our volunteers lived. 

Sharing the MVC journey with the Institute, and locally, has been  non-stop learning, while  experiencing the depth of God's Mercy so alive in our world today.  What a graced privilege to know and work closely with MVC Leadership and extended staff, over the years!  How inspiring to share the journey with volunteers, both young and not so young!  Finally, what a gift to work closely with Detroit Sisters, Associates, Companions, past Volunteers, and other partners -in- Ministry to welcome volunteers, who have expanded our Circle of Mercy in amazing ways.  If I sound grateful, hopeful and energized, that's what I am; that's the gift of MVC to our community, our church, our world!

  

 Sheila Devereux, RSM 

  

My life with MVC continues over a span of at least 15 years and what an inspiring and fulfilling journey it has been. The many beautiful people and experiences of this ministry have been a source of incredible joy and blessing. It was such a gift to be re-connected, after a few years of administrative ministry, with the energy, idealism and excitement of youth and of course of committed older people as well. Their dedication to the works of Mercy and social justice has been such a source of inspiration, energy and hope.  And I hold in my heart and prayers always all those who were at one time or another are a part of my life down through the years.

Our annual gatherings at Sea Isle over those first 10 years or so were such joyful, fulfilling and encouraging experiences. Precious friendships were forged during those times, gifts destined to last a life time.

My MVC years have been filled with recruiting at College and University job fairs in the West, of interviewing prospective candidates and ministry sites, as well as well as working with our Volunteers and their support persons in San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Portland, Oregon, Nampa, Idaho and most recently with the St. Michael's Indian Reservation. With the help of many wonderful people in those various places we have planned and held the mid-term retreats in Lincoln City, Oregon and Moss Beach, California. These have been inspiring occasions for sharing in-depth spirituality, ministry, community living experiences and having a little "fun" along with it all.

My involvement over this past year has been much more limited as the WMW Community has hired Angie Carlton, a former volunteer, to be fulltime and to replace Sister Mary Jo Holmes (my dear friend) and myself. It is so time for new blood, ideas and energy and we are delighted to have Angie leading the way.

From this time forward I will continue to be most interested and supportive. And MVC will always be in my prayers and heart. My prayerful dream is to experience a much larger number of people clamoring to be Mercy Volunteers who will help expand the healing works of Mercy so needed in our fractured world today.

Blessings of peace, love and prayers to our staff and to our volunteers of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

         Thanks for sharing the journey with me.

  

 

Bette Gallagher, RSM, Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator and Pat Smith, Site Support Person

 

Pat Smith

I became a support person pretty much by default after 9/11.  I was an informal support to some of the volunteers that year, who came from New York and knew many people who were either killed or lost someone in the attack.  I simply had an "open door" for them to come in and talk.  I also arranged for some counseling for one of them who was particularly affected by it.  After that year I was asked to become a support person on a more formal basis and I accepted because I believe very strongly in the volunteer experience and I love the Mercy Volunteer Corps philosophy. 

Our site is unusual in that we do not have permanent housing for volunteers so it is a challenge every year to find accommodations.  It has been my experience that the vast majority of the volunteers fall into the routines of both schools pretty quickly and adapt to the different climate and culture very well.  I am always impressed by their willingness to get involved and understand what the needs of the sites are.  Their flexibility, enthusiasm and adaptability are remarkable. The commitment to MVC is somewhat stringent but they always make the effort to live up to it by "living simply" (which is the only way to live, out here), scheduling the Spirituality nights and community dinners and dealing with the formation of a community, in general.  It is their dedication that has kept me involved with them. 

There have been challenges and the support given to me from the MVC organization has been greatly appreciated.  For the last several years I have been the lone support person due to circumstances here at SMASE and at SMIS.  The previous volunteers were part of the support team here until about 3 years ago when the last one moved on.  It is my hope that future volunteers will elect to stay on for a period of time and be able to provide additional support to the volunteers coming after them.  On the whole, being a support person is very rewarding in that it enabled me to get to know the volunteers on a more personal level.  I hope future support people find it just as rewarding - and FUN!!