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A Journey in Faith                                      December 2014
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Community Reflection: (For)Get the Gear

By Katie Mulembe, Catholic Volunteer Network 

 

About a week before I departed for my mission in Zambia, I started the daunting task of packing. I remember spending a lot of time in my bedroom, laying out in all the things I wanted to take with me. I would come across a t-shirt that I was sure I couldn't live without, a pair of boots I thought I might need in case it got muddy there, a money belt to keep my belongings safe, a book I always wanted to read, and so on. As the days went on, the piles got bigger and bigger and when it finally came time to fill up my suitcases - it all wouldn't fit.  Continue reading.
Human Connection Through Language Barriers 
By Kim Esposito, Mercy Volunteer Corps Alum, 2013-2014

 

"No hablo ingles."  I heard this phrase numerous times throughout the course of the past year as a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Clinic. While serving at a free health clinic with a population mainly comprised of Hispanics (approximately seventy to eighty percent), most of whom don't speak any English,  I had to put my background of studying Spanish for five years to good use. At the beginning of my year of service, it took me some time to get accustomed to speaking Spanish in a medical setting. It was much different than anything I had ever experienced while speaking a language in an educational setting, as opposed to being fully immersed in a specific culture. I had to learn on my own how to communicate effectively in Spanish, without the instruction of a teacher or professor. Continue reading.

Words of Wisdom for the Journey
   
We recently asked former volunteers to share their advice for volunteers at the beginning of their service year. Here is what they said...
Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild & precious life? 
Vocation Discernment Retreats

Catholic Volunteer Network, in partnership with Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, is offering weekend retreats that provide space for volunteers to discern their next steps.  
Participation is free for all volunteers, and travel stipends are available.
Click here for dates and registration. 
Dig Deeper into your Faith 
Catholic Apostolate Center strives to support you in your faith journey. Check out some of their most recent resources.   

We want to hear from you!

Write a story for an upcoming issue of Shared Visions!  

Do you have a story or reflection to share with other volunteers? We would love to include it in an upcoming issue of this newsletter. Catholic Volunteer Network and Catholic Apostolate Center may also share contributed stories on their blogs.  

 

Become a contributor to our Lenten Reflection Guide! 
We are looking for current volunteers to help in the formation of our Lenten Reflection guide, which will be distributed to prospective, current, and former volunteers. We will provide a theme, writing guidelines, and scripture to reflect on. Submissions will be due in mid-January. 
 
Tell us what you are reading!
Read any good books lately? Are there any that have been influential in your service experience so far? We want to know which books to add to our volunteer reading list.

For more information about any of these opportunities, please contact Katie Mulembe at kmulembe@catholicvolunteernetwork.org.
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Please send your questions and feedback about this e-newsletter to Katie Mulembe.