"That's what volunteers do"

Our latest blog post comes from Dominican Sister and Dominican Volunteers USA Board Member, Sister Mary Kremer.

Sister Mary Kremer OP

Sister Mary shares a conversation with the 2017-18 Chicago volunteers that exemplified St. Dominic’s mission.

Thank you for your service and Dominican example Sister Mary.

"Several months ago, I invited myself for supper to the House of Connections in Chicago because I wanted volunteers to join me in making an appeal for financial support for the Program at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in River Forest IL. At the supper table, I described the project and asked if any one of the four volunteers might be interested in talking more about it.

Zach Moeller, sitting next to me, responded in a clear voice: “We’ll all help you.”

I was startled and looked right at Zach: “Are you saying ‘yes’”?

Without hesitation he replied, “Yes, of course. That’s what volunteers do.”

The other three looked right at me, saying nothing. Their broad grins said everything: “We too are ready.”

The annals of early Dominican life do not record St. Dominic speaking these same generous words, but I suspect that this great preacher and teacher spent his life generously giving to others whatever he had.

I have a short movie in my mind of four generous DVs, son and daughters of Dominic, Zach Moeller Elizabeth Drake, Madeleine Paulsen, and Sarah Pereira, that will carry me until I meet next year’s DVs.”

Zach, Elizabeth, Madeleine and Sarah