Addressing Basic Needs in Advent: The Work Continues
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Springwell, Nurtury Early Learning, and Rian Immigrant Center: Still Going Strong
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Advent is a time of light and hope. Though climate change, poverty, COVID and political division continue as a part of the reality in which we live, IVC members opt to support our many community partners in their efforts to see and be light in the darkness. A year ago, in this newsletter, we named some areas of concern during the pandemic which our community partners address. Their work continues:
Food. Finding food remains a priority for many families and individuals. St. John's Parish in Worcester, Springwell in Metro West, South End Boston's Haley House, and My Brother's Keeper in Easton are among our partner agencies directly addressing that need either through food delivery or onsite meals.
Shelter. Housing and shelter are illusive for many. Boston Medical Center's Elders Living at Home Program helps search out possible housing for those needing it. Ethos in Jamaica Plain works to keep seniors in their homes. Bethany Hill Place in Framingham and Matthew 25 in Worcester provide affordable, independent housing. Mary House in Providence is engaged in finding shelter solutions for their homeless clients. L'Arche Boston North in Haverhill offers live-in community housing for its members. Ignatian Volunteers assist with these efforts.
In all, IVC New England service corps members assist 30 nonprofit agencies based in nine Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities. Each of these schools, churches, and community agencies offers a spark of light in the darkness to those in need, and hope in the days leading up to Christmas.
For a list of all IVC New England Volunteers and Placements click here.
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IVC New England Core Community Celebrates Advent Together
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Core Community Members Gather for Mass and Celebration in December
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Approximately fifty IVC New England "Core Community" members and spouses/partners gathered at the Saint Peter Faber Jesuit Community in Brighton on Sunday, December 5, to celebrate the beginnings of the Advent season and the community of IVC. "Core Community" has come to refer to the volunteers, spiritual reflectors, and regional council members who make up the IVC community.
The gathering began with liturgy. Ken Hughes, SJ presided. In his homily, Ken explained that each of the advent candles that many light in their homes and churches during the season has its own meaning. Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace are their messages, leading to the Love that Christ brings at Christmas. In the Second Week of Advent, the journey of Faith urges us to move beyond our failures to focus on our blessings and make way for the Joy of the following week.
Following Mass, Ignatian Volunteers Jane Leonard (Rian Immigrant Center) and Katherine McGrath, SC (Julie's Family Learning Program) spoke about the mission and work of their placement sites and their own roles at those centers. Then, IVC New England Director Dave Hinchen, with help from friends, presented several volunteers and reflectors gift baskets of Fair Trade products for their service.
Those receiving gifts for five years of service were: Sheila Rourke (Casserly House) and Jon Braley (NECAT). Joe Appleyard, SJ, Fred Enman, SJ, Jim Hayes, SJ, Tom Lucci (Matthew 25/My Brother's Keeper), and Ken Hughes, SJ were honored for ten years of service.
Following Mass and presentations, all joyfully adjourned for refreshments, camaraderie, and conversation. The Core Community celebration has been traditionally hosted by the Peter Faber Jesuits but was interrupted last year when the pandemic forced a relocation outdoors for a liturgy at St. Paul's parish in Wellesley.
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Joe McCarthy Joins IVC New England Regional Council
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IVC New England's Regional Council enthusiastically welcomed Joe McCarthy as its newest member at their November meeting at Cathedral High School in Boston. Joe has served as an Ignatian Volunteer at Highlander Charter School in Providence since 2019 and brings with him an abundance of gifts and experience.
Prior to joining IVC, Joe worked as a Career Counselor at Providence College and Salve Regina University, and had a long career in Human Resources. He is a native of Scranton (PA) and a graduate of the University of Scranton. He was an advocate for the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition for two decades and has been a volunteer at a camp for autistic children.
The purpose of Regional Councils in the Ignatian Volunteer Corps is to support, partner with, and guide Regional Directors, especially in the areas of promotion, relationship-building, and fundraising. Regional Councils assist in the development of strategic plans for regional growth and engage in visioning on how to keep the IVC mission alive and viable.
IVC New England also wishes to acknowledge the work of two veteran members of its Regional Council who have moved on from official council work after several dedicated years of service - Jackie Regan and Sandy Yates. Thank you, Jackie and Sandy, for your love and commitment to the work of IVC. And, thank you for your continued, ongoing support.
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My Brother's Keeper and a Christmas Gift to IVC
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IVC New England has partnered with My Brother's Keeper (Easton, Dartmouth) in its mission to deliver furniture, food, and Christmas gifts free of charge to families in need in Southeastern Massachusetts. What a surprise it was for us to receive an early Christmas gift from My Brother's Keeper (MBK) in its November newsletter!
In that issue, IVC and our six current MBK volunteers were highlighted. Click here to meet Carol Armstrong, Leslie McCarthy, Tom Lucci, Larry Loh, Cathy Conroy, and Dennis Kay, and to read more about the great work going on at My Brother's Keeper. Thank you, MBK, for your Christmas gift!
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Retreat Opportunity from Campion Center in Weston
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Long-time IVC New England spiritual reflector, Nancy Sheridan, SASV and Worcester Nativity School Chaplain, Tom McMurray, SJ will lead an online Introduction to the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Prayer Retreat from January 15 to 18, sponsored by Campion Renewal Center in Weston. Cost is $130.
This extended prayer weekend will introduce retreatants to important principles of Ignatian prayer and engage them in key meditations and contemplations from the Spiritual Exercises.The retreat combines elements from guided and directed retreats, with conferences/points for the group as well as one-on-one meetings with a director. The retreat begins Friday at 5:45 pm and ends on Monday at noon. To register for this retreat and to learn more about Campion Center offerings, click here.
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From all of us at IVC, to all of you, our core community members, friends, and supporters, best wishes for a joyful, peace-filled Christmas and a New Year filled with opportunity and good cheer!
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31 Fairview Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
617-571-3838
newengland@ivcusa.org
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