The countdown is OFFICIALLY 9 DAYS 'TILL ORIENTATION!
Which means...I should probably explain a little more about this endeavor I'm about to embark on to all you lovely people. The easiest way I can think of explaining is by delineating the fundamental pillars of the JVC program itself. These 4 core values have been an essential part of the application process, my acceptance into the program, and will surely continue to influence my experience over the next year. The four core values of JVC are (in no particular order): Spirituality, Simple Living, Community & Social Justice.
As far as Spirituality is concerned, I expect the JVC is - unsurprisingly - heavily influenced by the teachings of St. Ignatius who, if you're unfamiliar, was the founder of the Society of Jesus (aka the Jesuits!). As such, I expect the spirituality experience will include a combination of contemplative prayer, self-reflection, and - hopefully - self-discovery. St. Ignatius is perhaps most remembered for the quote: "go forth and set the world on fire", I suspect that during my time volunteering, we will be challenged to discover exactly what that means in our lives, how it is that we can effectively "set the world on fire" through this year of service.
Simple Living: This value is the one I personally feel I have the most "experience" with, if you will. Every service endeavor I've taken part in from junior high soup kitchens through mission trips during my years at Villanova have challenged me to consider what it means to live simply. I can remember one definition that resonates especially well with me - and had a special meaning to a loved one in my life - that during our service we "live simply so others may simply live" - Ghandi.
Community: the value I am most anxious to discover more about, as this aspect of my year of service centers not around myself and my own decisions, but all of the people living in my community during our year in Scranton, PA. The Scranton community will be residing in the Jane Jacobs house during our year of service, exploring together questions of how best to live out these Ignatian values and - presumably - growing together as a community in the process.
The last value of Social Justice is perhaps the most rhetorically-loaded term thus far, as it inevitably encompasses just about anything you might define as "justice" in the world today. With the variety of different strong opinions on this topic I'll restrict my definition to simply stating that, as a part of my welcoming information into the JVC, I was encouraged to read a short article by David Hilfiker called The Limits of Charity which took a surprisingly critical view of the type of "charity" work that is sometimes confused with "justice" in today's day and age. I found the article very helpful in developing my understanding of what Social Justice is, and hopefully this yearlong experience will further that understanding.
I suppose it's time to get packing for Orientation, saying the final goodbyes to family & friends, etc. This may be my last update for a while, seeing as I am unsure of my access to 'the blogosphere' during orientation. But, as always, your continued following and support are very much appreciated.
God Bless,
Tom
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
This Morning
Ok, so you'll have to forgive me on this one as it has only a faint connection to the purpose of my blog and the Volunteer journey I'll be embarking on in a few weeks (I believe the countdown is now T-minus 20 days!). Still, what I've read from other bloggers - and some advice from friends - tells me that sometimes you're just moved to put thoughts down in writing, and I think this fits that description precisely.
So last night I went to see the final installment of the Batman movie trilogy with my brother Terence and my cousin TJ. We really enjoyed the movie and it was a great chance to get in some time hanging out with my family before I leave for Scranton. Then, this morning I woke up to the news of the Aurora, Colorado shootings that took place at the premiere last night and the 12 people who had died as a result. I can't say exactly why, but I've been struggling to reconcile this event in my brain and (for the first time in a while) I felt that urgent need to pray for those lost in this attack, their family, their friends, and even for the man responsible for the shooting*. So often, I feel as though prayer becomes less of a impulse in our lives and more of an obligatory act. There seem to be these prescribed times and places at which prayer becomes "appropriate" or - even worse - compulsory. As a result, it can be hard for us to truly feel as though our prayers are meaningful, substantive, or even heard by God. And then there come times in life when we feel that whisper from within to pray, and I mean really pray, not the textbook "Hail Mary...blessed fruit...Amen" regurgitation type of prayer, but real, heartfelt prayer in which we break the prescribed rules of praying (i.e. time/place/method) and truly open ourselves up to God.
I guess the point of my story is that this morning, in the most unexpected and unfortunate of ways, I had one of those prayerful moments as I thought about the victims of this attack and their families. For me, song has always provided a powerful alternative to the standardized run-of-the-mill type of prayer and so a mournful offering through song will be my choice of prayer for those who lost their lives early this morning. What will yours be?
*I found this in a Jesuit prayer book, Hearts on Fire, and I thought it particularly helpful this morning. In case you're struggling to find an alternative way of praying, perhaps this might provide some help and inspiration:
From Death to Life
Jesus Christ, may your death be my life
and in your dying may I learn how to live.
May your struggles be my rest,
Your human weakness my courage,
Your embarrassment my honor,
Your passion my delight,
Your sadness my joy,
in your humiliation may I be exalted.
In a word, may I find all my blessings in your trials.
Amen.
- Blessed Peter Faber, SJ
So last night I went to see the final installment of the Batman movie trilogy with my brother Terence and my cousin TJ. We really enjoyed the movie and it was a great chance to get in some time hanging out with my family before I leave for Scranton. Then, this morning I woke up to the news of the Aurora, Colorado shootings that took place at the premiere last night and the 12 people who had died as a result. I can't say exactly why, but I've been struggling to reconcile this event in my brain and (for the first time in a while) I felt that urgent need to pray for those lost in this attack, their family, their friends, and even for the man responsible for the shooting*. So often, I feel as though prayer becomes less of a impulse in our lives and more of an obligatory act. There seem to be these prescribed times and places at which prayer becomes "appropriate" or - even worse - compulsory. As a result, it can be hard for us to truly feel as though our prayers are meaningful, substantive, or even heard by God. And then there come times in life when we feel that whisper from within to pray, and I mean really pray, not the textbook "Hail Mary...blessed fruit...Amen" regurgitation type of prayer, but real, heartfelt prayer in which we break the prescribed rules of praying (i.e. time/place/method) and truly open ourselves up to God.
I guess the point of my story is that this morning, in the most unexpected and unfortunate of ways, I had one of those prayerful moments as I thought about the victims of this attack and their families. For me, song has always provided a powerful alternative to the standardized run-of-the-mill type of prayer and so a mournful offering through song will be my choice of prayer for those who lost their lives early this morning. What will yours be?
*I found this in a Jesuit prayer book, Hearts on Fire, and I thought it particularly helpful this morning. In case you're struggling to find an alternative way of praying, perhaps this might provide some help and inspiration:
From Death to Life
Jesus Christ, may your death be my life
and in your dying may I learn how to live.
May your struggles be my rest,
Your human weakness my courage,
Your embarrassment my honor,
Your passion my delight,
Your sadness my joy,
in your humiliation may I be exalted.
In a word, may I find all my blessings in your trials.
Amen.
- Blessed Peter Faber, SJ
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Oh! Hello, inter-web people!
My name is Tom McHugh and for the next year of my life I will be serving as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). I will be moving to Scranton, Pennsylvania and working at a new job, living in community with four other volunteers from all across the country, and striving to come to a better understanding of what it means to serve. I've decided to fill the "description" portion of this site with the dictionary definition of the word 'volunteer' in hopes that it may aid me (and anyone out there reading this) as I strive to make the word part of my everyday vocabulary and deepen my understanding of what faith based service is all about.
And so, as my journey begins in the coming weeks, I will do my best to update this blog as frequently as I can - while living in simplicity... we'll see how that goes - for any of you out there who would like to join me on this adventure! I welcome input from anyone out there who has thoughts or comments on my blog, please just let me know!
My name is Tom McHugh and for the next year of my life I will be serving as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). I will be moving to Scranton, Pennsylvania and working at a new job, living in community with four other volunteers from all across the country, and striving to come to a better understanding of what it means to serve. I've decided to fill the "description" portion of this site with the dictionary definition of the word 'volunteer' in hopes that it may aid me (and anyone out there reading this) as I strive to make the word part of my everyday vocabulary and deepen my understanding of what faith based service is all about.
And so, as my journey begins in the coming weeks, I will do my best to update this blog as frequently as I can - while living in simplicity... we'll see how that goes - for any of you out there who would like to join me on this adventure! I welcome input from anyone out there who has thoughts or comments on my blog, please just let me know!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)