270 Participate in First National IVC Day of Reflection

As the reality of the coronavirus pandemic hits home throughout the United States, the Ignatian Volunteer Corps has been learning to adjust.

Successful appeals to the US Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) and to generous friends and supporters have kept us afloat financially. Now, program adjustments have brought at least one notable success.

Because retreat centers and parishes have been closed, IVC year-end retreats have not taken place in most IVC regions. Instead of cancelling the retreats, regional directors and national staff brought together their creative juices in numerous Zoom platform meetings and launched the first-ever IVC National Day of Reflection.

More than 270 IVC Service Corps members participated in 14 two-hour Zoom gatherings over three days (June 9-11). Each session was limited to 25 participants, and included presentations, prayerful reflection, musical contributions, and even small-group sharing. IVC Regional Directors facilitated the gatherings.

Among the contributors from across the USA were IVC President/CEO Mary McGinnity , Jesuits Frank Reale (St. Louis) and Jim Fleming (New England), IVC Volunteer/Spiritual Reflector Barbara Lee (New York), IVC Regional Director John Green (Philadelphia/New Jersey), and pianist Carolyn Park (DC/Metro Maryland).

Feedback from participants has been very positive. Look forward to more national co-operation in the months ahead. Thanks to all who made these days fruitful. The Day of Reflection has been posted on You Tube. Click here to view the video.Plans are in process to offer our regional council members and spiritual reflectors a chance to participate in this Day of Reflection in July.

Working our Way through the Pandemic Reality

The danger of spread of the coronavirus has impacted the work of IVC New England and its partner agencies, but step by step we are carving out our response today and our plans for the coming IVC year.

Despite the forced shut-downs and alterations in services that many of our partner agencies have had to implement, outreach to those in need has not ended, and many IVC Service Corps members have been able to continue to help. A few are on the front lines. Many are working virtually from home. Others are waiting for the opportunity to return to active service this summer or in the fall.

Our monthly meetings have changed. April, May and June gatherings have been Zoom meetings with opportunities for all to share their current reality, the impact on their agencies and home life, and their hopes for the future. As we plan for the coming year, we have meeting dates and reflectors to assist us, but whether we'll gather virtually or in real-life gatherings remains to be seen. We're staying flexible.

Our partners want us back. Many have recommitted for 2020-2021. New positions have been added. New opportunities have emerged. We'll be there. That is certain. Exactly how is a work in progress. See the following article for more detail on opportunities for the coming IVC year.

IVC New England is accepting applications for 2020-2021. If you have considered joining the IVC Service Corps - becoming an Ignatian Volunteer -there is need for your gifts and talents and we encourage your application. Click here for an application form. Or, tell a friend about us.

We have compiled a list of on-site and remote opportunities, adjusting them each week as the realities of September needs evolve. Our current volunteers and our partner agencies are giving us feedback which is helping us to envision how we can best help those who are feeling the effects of marginalization, and who were facing more than their fair amount of life's challenges before the coronavirus came.

This list mentions some of our current needs. It will be regularly updated on our website. Contact our office for up-to-date information. Spread the word that IVC is alive and well and looking for volunteers in the coming year.