VSC WEST WELCOME MESSAGE NEWSLETTER SUMMER A year of service makes a lifetime of difference. P.2 P.3 P.4

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1 VSC WEST NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014 A year of service makes a lifetime of difference. P.2 P.3 P.4 WELCOME MESSAGE Pictured are NGO Liaisons from the Sisters of Charity Federation, Daughters of Charity International, US Provinces of St. Louise and Los Altos Hills. I had the opportunity to join the Vincentian Family NGO representatives at the 65 th Annual United Nations 2015 DPI/NGO Conference from August in New York. What an experience! I wish everyone could witness the importance of being involved in voicing the human rights of each and every person in this world. The topics evolved from Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which will take us through These Goals were adopted by all world leaders committing their nations to a global partnership. The issues varied from change in agriculture and food systems, ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition, universal health coverage, human rights to education, climate change and practice, use of indigenous knowledge as a means to promote sustainable development, right to water and sanitation, a sufficient living wage for everyone, reducing economic inequalities both within and between nations and many more additional topics. The irony of this is we, who live in this first world country, do witness even here the lack of these basic human rights. Our current and former VSC West members are in the frontlines serving these people who need help in order to live a healthy and productive life. The challenge we face is not only to help improve people s lives here where resources and knowledge is available but also to help others outside this country to also live a sustainable healthy life. -Sr. Frances Vista, DC

2 PAGE 2 VSC WEST SUMMER 2014 IN THIS ISSUE: Welcome Message 1 Office Space 2 Prayers 2 Events 2 Vincentian Celebration Invitation 3 Meet the new Communities! 4-5 Pictures 6-7 Alumni News 8 Labor Day Prayers A good job is more than just a paycheck. A good job fosters interdependence and discipline, and contributes to the health of the community. A good job is a means to provide for the health and welfare of your family, to own a home, and save for retirement. -James H. Douglas Jr. Lord, I thank you for my work and the blessings it provides. Create in me a willing spirit and happy heart. Grant me the ambition to work hard and give me the strength to finish what I have started. May my hands always be prepared to help lighten another s load. And finally, Lord, remind me that the quality of my work is a reflection of you to those around me. Amen. OFFICE SPACE Congratulations Vincentian Service Corps 13-14! After a special time of celebrating and sharing stories at Closing Retreat, members of VSC went off to their next adventures as nurses, medical and PhD students, resident ministers, therapists, trainers, case managers, and teachers. We say a prayer of thanksgiving for their loving and compassionate service to God, neighbor, and one another. Many are nearby and continue to live and work in the communities they served which is a real blessing for us and our new volunteers! Three New Placement Sites This year, we are proud to begin partnerships with three new Placement Sites; Maryvale, a ministry of the Daughters of Charity, The Gubbio Project and St. Anthony s Foundation. Thank you for sponsoring and accompanying Jose, Emily, and Skyler through a life-changing year of faith-based service. To learn more, please visit their websites: Maryvale The Gubbio Project St. Anthony s Foundation VSC WEST CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 27 Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul OCTOBER Reflection Weekend Los Altos Hills, California 18 Celebration of Northern CA Vincentian Family NOVEMBER Catholic Volunteer Network Conference (office closed) 27 Feast of the Miraculous Medal 28 Feast of St. Catherine Laboure 29 Founding of Daughters of Charity 1633

3 SUMMER 2014 VSC WEST PAGE 3 RSVP to vscwest@dochs.org or ccruz@svdpsm.org By October 8, 2014

4 PAGE 4 VSC WEST SUMMER 2014 Meet the LOS ANGELES community! Adavia Thornton is from Kansas City, MO and studied Journalism and Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies at Fairfield University. Adavia is an Employment Specialist at Chrysalis. Service is not only positively affecting those being served, but the servers also receive gifts. We can step away from ourselves, and notice others.... We could all use a community. One centered around understanding, love, and patience. Emily Carey is from Hopewell Junction, New York and graduated from The Catholic University of America, where she studied Nursing. Emily is a Registered Nurse at Maryvale. Throughout my time at CUA, I have viewed nursing as not only a profession in which I can have a stable, rewarding job but also as a vocation in which I can interact with and serve people through healing. Jonathan Nerdig is from Jewell, Iowa and graduated from Luther College, where he studied Psychology and Biology. Jonathan is a Case Worker at the Cardinal Manning Center. I believe we have a moral obligation to live in a way that is sustainable for future generations.... On a spiritual level I believe that living simply allows the soul to thrive whereas getting caught up in a culture of consumerism stifles spiritual growth.. Megan Fitzpatrick is from Mt. Carroll, Illinois and graduated from Loras College, where she studied Marketing and Media Studies. Megan is a Teaching Assistant at St. Vincent Elementary School. I am so excited to have reflection with other young people my age!... Living simply encompasses a number of different voluntary practices to simply one s lifestyle, which can include reducing possessions or even improving self-sufficiency. Katie Heck is from Glenview, IL and studied Digital Cinema and Chinese Studies at DePaul University. Katie is a Teaching Assistant at St. Vincent Elementary School. The needs of the poor are the needs of any human. Not only do we need the basic necessities of food and shelter, but also compassion and support. Every person and place holds different needs and through honest and open dialogue we can find out how to achieve them. Michael Deely is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from St. Vincent College, where he studied Psychology. Michael is a Teaching Assistant at Our Lady of Talpa School. I know this sounds odd, but I m excited to live simply on a limited budget. It will give me a chance to not worry about material possessions and live freely... it can be a wonderful bonding experience. Faith, values, and experience make you what you are not worldly possessions. Neenah Ferguson is from Richfield, Minnesota and graduated from The College of St. Scholastica, where she studied Humanities and Spanish. Neenah is a Teaching Assistant at Mother of Sorrows School. The most important thing I ve gained is to never take life for granted. Most of the time as people, we fail to acknowledge that our everyday experiences are constantly changing before our eyes. Each day brings something different, a new challenge, a new hope, a new discovery something that touches each of us in a special way. If we take for granted these moments we can miss so much.

5 SUMMER 2014 VSC WEST PAGE 5 Meet the SAN FRANCISCO community! Ashley Thompson is from Alhambra, CA and studied History and Political Science at Loyola Marymount University. Ashley is a Teaching Assistant at De Marillac Academy. This is what I wanted from the VSC program: A way to grow in community with people who also shared a passion for service. If someone is willing to give eleven months of their life to serve the community, I already feel honored to be sharing a home with them. Jose Lopez is from Elmhurst, Illinois and graduated from De- Paul University, where he studied Political Science, Peace Justice and Conflict Studies, and Philosophy. Jose is a Hospitality Monitor/Outreach and Donations Coordinator at The Gubbio Project. I believe serving the poor is taking time and initiative to help create a platform for those who are not heard, to be heard. Pamela Gonzalez is from Los Angeles, California and graduated from Loyola Marymount University, where she studied Psychology and Elementary Education. Pamela is a Case Worker at the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco Riley Center. I will never forget each of the stories we heard, and especially the injustices we saw with simple human rights...their faith has inspired me to see God even in the midst of the darkest moments, just as they have with all the injustices they face. Jordan Bouchard is from Fairport, NY and studied English, Psychology, Sociology, and International Studies at St. John s University. Jordan is a Program Aide at the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco Wellness Center. Whenever I serve I always come back to one simple idea dignity. No matter how rich or poor someone may be... it is important to view one another on the same level, all being human and people of God. Molly Huth is from Fostoria, OH and graduated from Aquinas College, where she studied Communication and Theology. Molly is a Case Worker at the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco Riley Center.... We experience prayer, reflection, meals, and social times together as a large group.... This experience has truly opened my eyes to what it means to live in community with others working toward the common good of all. Skyler McNulty is from Soquel, California and graduated from Loyola Marymount University, where she studied Dance and Biology. Skyler is a social Action program COORDINATOR at the St. Anthony s Foundation. We do not choose the life and family we are born into, but I strongly believe that there are a multitude of ways to improve or change situations in our lives by making wise decisions and following the word of God. Jordan Bouchard Program Aide St. Vincent de Paul Society Wellness Center Emily Carey Registered Nurse Maryvale Michael Deely Teaching Assistant Our Lady of Talpa School Neenah Ferguson Teaching Assistant Mother of Sorrows School Megan Fitzpatrick Teaching Assistant St. Vincent Elementary School Pamela Gonzalez Case Worker St. Vincent de Paul Society Riley Center Katie Heck Teaching Assistant St. Vincent Elementary School Molly Huth Case Worker St. Vincent de Paul Society Riley Center Jose Lopez Hospitality Monitor/Outreach and Donations Coordinator The Gubbio Project Skyler McNulty Social Action Program Coordinator St. Anthony s Foundation Jonathan Nerdig Case Worker Cardinal Manning Center Ashley Thompson Teaching Assistant De Marillac Academy Adavia Thornton Employment Specialist Chrysalis

6 PAGE 6 VSC WEST SUMMER 2014 PICTURES FROM ORIENTATION! Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Skyler and Jordan hanging out. Katie, Neenah, Michael, Jonathan, Jose, and Ashley share their stories through creative drawings. Megan, Adavia, and Emily let the world know where they are living this year. LA Crew, shares their community covenant with the LA Vincentian Family during Mass. Father Prudencio Rodriguez, C.M. is the presider.

7 SUMMER 2014 VSC WEST PAGE 7 PICTURES FROM ORIENTATION! Left to Right, Top to Bottom: SF Crew shares their community covenant. Molly and Pamela getting excited for the year. Fr. Gregory G. Kirsch and Sr. Frances sharing stories. LMU s, Tom King speaks about Alcohol and Social Justice. RJ, Darby, Ann, and Connor (VSC 09-10) reminisce. Neenah listens to LA support person and former volunteer, Katie Abel. Time to eat cake!

8 PAGE 8 VSC WEST SUMMER 2014 ALUMNI UPDATES! Jen Schooling ( 05-06) and John on a walking trip. If any of the volunteers are ever in or near Cambridge, please let me know, I d love to see a VSC face some time! Karen Essick ( 09-10) and her students at Hampton University Child Development Center. Congratulations to Veronica Gaidelis-Langer and Nathan Langer ( 04-05) for the arrival of their newest family member, Frances Rose, born May 16th! Her big brothers Isaiah (5) and Simon (3) are very excited to have a little sister. Thank you Mark and Mary Tran-Wexler for serving as support people for the San Francisco Community and sharing your ministry of presence. Thank you to our alumni who gave a helping hand and came to support the new volunteers at Orientation! Do you have any cool news you would like to share with the rest of the formers or greater VSC family? Interested in getting involved? Know a good joke? Please let us know. We love hearing from you! Board of Directors Sr. Trinitas Hernandez, DC Board President Rosalie Rendu Center Sr. Josephine Burns, DC Province of the West Vincentian Service Corps West 25 San Fernando Way Suite B Daly City, CA A D D R E S S S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D Kitty Mullooly Business Manager Mullooly Dental Services John Scudder President Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Sr. Kathleen Powers, DC Demarillac Academy Sponsored by Member of MISEVI International : : : vscwest@dochs.org