Kelly Litt currently serves at the Dominican Leadership Conference at the United Nations. This article is also being published on domlife.org.
From January 28th – February 1st the Dominican
Volunteers reunited in Ponchatoula, Louisiana for their midyear retreat. Hosted
by the Dominican Sisters of Peace at their Rosaryville Spirit Life Center, the
current volunteers joined to reflect, re-center, refocus, and reignite their
spark for the remainder of their volunteer year.
“I really
valued the opportunity to make a retreat at the midpoint of our service year.
DVUSA consistently puts forth a commitment to reflection as part of Dominican
spirituality, "to contemplate and share the fruits of contemplation."
It is really easy to get burnt out in service, giving so much of yourself
without necessarily feeling any reward. The opportunity to reunite and share joys
and sorrows with my fellow volunteers was really refreshing.” –Grace Urankar,
Volunteer in San Francisco at Immaculate Conception Academy
The volunteers opened the retreat with laughter as communities acted out
short skits to explain what their day to day life was like living in community
with Dominican Sisters or other volunteers. Though the
skits pointed out the most comical aspects of community, it was apparent that
the DVs truly value their experiences of living in community and have grown in
numerous ways through that experience. Each community also had an opportunity
to lead prayers and social activities for the larger group throughout the
retreat.
The volunteers living
in the Bronx, NY perform a skit
about a typical dinner in their community.
The Dominican Volunteers were also given an opportunity to preach in
Dominican fashion through their lives and experiences. DVs wrote “pre-volunteer
letters” addressed to themselves before they began their volunteer year. Many
letters included suggestions on essentials to pack and surprises they might
find through moving to a new city. These letters also discussed expectations of
their service year explaining what would be their largest struggles and
greatest joys. These letters were both heavy as they explained times of tears
but also uplifting as they spoke of laughter, passion, and life-changing
experiences.
"Retreat
is usually a time spent taking a break from all of the work that we live
through on a daily basis. However, on mid-year retreat, it felt like we
continued to live our experiences when we were sharing them with our fellow
volunteers. For a time, it felt like I was living in 15 other lives when we all
shared our letters. It also reminded me that we're all living with each other
in spirit throughout this whole year and I couldn't be more blessed to share an
experience so powerful and breathtaking with this group of women and men."
–Chris Bargeron, Volunteer in Chicago at Heartland Alliance
The volunteers took
some time to reflect personally and with a partner
about ministry,
relationships, and understanding themselves.
The volunteers were also able to have dinner with the Dominican Sisters
of Peace in New Orleans. Many volunteers enjoyed gumbo for the first time! The
volunteers also appreciated time and pizza with the Dominican Friars after attending
Mass at St. Anthony of Padua, the Dominican church in New Orleans.
"It
was great to join the rest of the DVs on our mid-year retreat in Lousiana! The best part was definitely having an
opportunity to hear about the amazing work that all of the volunteers are doing
across the nation. I am truly
impressed with how incredible the DVs are this year and our retreat reminded me
of the passion that our group of volunteers shares for ministry and for
improving the world that we all live in!" –Amelia Vojt, Volunteer in
Chicago serving at Sarah’s Inn
Volunteers enjoyed dinner and conversations with the Dominican Sisters
of Peace
at their Motherhouse in New Orleans.
The volunteers were blessed to share in prayer and learning with some of
the Dominican Sisters during their retreat. The Dominican Sisters of Peace gave
the volunteers an opportunity to reflect on spirituality and prayer as Sr. Dot
Trosclair led a meditative prayer. Sr. Ceal Warner shared some insight on
personal and spiritual growth with the volunteers and gave them an opportunity
to better understand their own personality through the Color Code personality
test. Sr. Suzanne Brauer shared about St. Dominic and the Dominican charisms
with the volunteers and gave them an opportunity to reflect on the history and
mission behind their service. With the opportunity to prayerfully reflect and
craft their own earthen vessels, Sr. Pat Thomas led the volunteers in a
reflection on their passions and spiritual gifts.
“I
found the DVUSA Midyear Retreat to be prayerful and uplifting. I loved all of
the presentations, in particular, the ones on prayer and Dominican
Spirituality. It was helpful to hear the experiences and stories of my fellow
volunteers. I feel rejuvenated and ready to begin the second half of my year as
a Dominican Volunteer.” –David Gayes, Volunteer in Chicago serving at the Tolton
Literacy Center and Casa Juan Diego
Volunteers described their vessels after Sr. Pat Thomas led them
through
a reflective and creative session.
“Mid-Year
Retreat was a refreshing reminder as to why we, the volunteers, are taking this
journey together. We were able to share our stories, challenges, successes, and
how we are living out the four pillars. We re-sparked the passion and mission
that bind us together and were able to provide encouragement and support for
one another.” –Rebecca Morgenstern, Volunteer in the Bronx serving at Dominican
Sisters Family Health Services
For more information and pictures from the midyear retreat, check out
Dominican Volunteers USA Facebook page here.
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