VSC WEST
NEWSLETTER | SUMMER 2014
www.vscorps.org
erence.
A year of ser vice makes a lifetime of diff
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WELCOME MESSAGE
Pictured are NGO Liaisons from the Sisters of Charity Federation, Daughters of Charity International,
US Provinces of St. Louise and Los Altos Hills.
I had the opportunity to join the Vincentian Family
NGO representatives at the 65th Annual United Nations 2015 DPI/NGO Conference from August 26-29 in
New York. What an experience! I wish everyone
could witness the importance of being involved in
voicing the “human rights” of each and every person
in this world.
The topics evolved from 2000-2015 Millennium
Development Goals (MDG) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which will take us through 2030.
These Goals were adopted by all world leaders committing their nations to a global partnership. The issues varied from change in agriculture and food systems, ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition,
universal health coverage, human rights to education,
climate change and practice, use of indigenous
knowledge as a means to promote sustainable development, right to water and sanitation, a sufficient living wage for everyone, reducing economic inequalities
both within and between nations and many more additional topics.
The irony of this is we, who live in this first world
country, do witness even here the lack of these basic
human rights. Our current and former VSC West
members are in the frontlines serving these people
who need help in order to live a healthy and productive life. The challenge we face is not only to help improve people’s lives here where resources and
knowledge is available but also to help others outside
this country to also live a sustainable healthy life.
-Sr. Frances Vista, DC
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Welcome Message 1
———————————————Office Space
2
———————————————Prayers
2
———————————————Events
2
———————————————Vincentian Celebration
Invitation
3
———————————————Meet the new
Communities!
4-5
———————————————Pictures
6-7
———————————————Alumni News
8
———————————————Labor Day Prayers
A good job is more than just
a paycheck. A good job
fosters interdependence and
discipline, and contributes to
the health of the community.
A good job is a means to
provide for the health and
welfare of your family, to
own a home, and save for
retirement.
-James H. Douglas Jr.
Lord, I thank you for my
work and the blessings it
provides. Create in me a
willing spirit and happy
heart. Grant me the
ambition to work hard and
give me the strength to
finish what I have started.
May my hands always be
prepared to help lighten
another’s load. And finally,
Lord, remind me that the
quality of my work is a
reflection of you to those
around me. Amen.
VSC
WEST
SUMMER 2014
OFFICE SPACE
Congratulations Vincentian Service Corps ‘13-’14!
After a special time of celebrating and sharing stories at Closing Retreat, members of VSC 13’-14’ went off to their next adventures as nurses, medical and
PhD students, resident ministers, therapists, trainers, case managers, and
teachers. We say a prayer of thanksgiving for their loving and compassionate
service to God, neighbor, and one another. Many are nearby and continue to
live and work in the communities they served which is a real blessing for us
and our new volunteers!
Three New Placement Sites
This year, we are proud to begin
partnerships with three new
Placement Sites; Maryvale, a
ministry of the Daughters of
Charity, The Gubbio Project and
St.
Anthony’s
Foundation.
Thank you for sponsoring and
accompanying Jose, Emily, and
Skyler through a life-changing
year of faith-based service. To
learn more, please visit their
websites:
Maryvale
www.maryvale.org
The Gubbio Project
www.thegubbioproject.org
St. Anthony’s Foundation
www.stanthonysf.org
VSC WEST CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
27
Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul
OCTOBER
17-19 Reflection Weekend
Los Altos Hills, California
18
Celebration of Northern CA
Vincentian Family
NOVEMBER
11-14 Catholic Volunteer Network
Conference (office closed)
27
Feast of the Miraculous Medal
28
Feast of St. Catherine Laboure
29
Founding of Daughters of Charity
1633
SUMMER 2014
VSC
WEST
RSVP to
vscwest@dochs.org or
ccruz@svdpsm.org
By October 8, 2014
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SUMMER 2014
Meet the LOS ANGELES community!
Adavia Thornton is from Kansas
City, MO and studied Journalism
and Women, Gender, Sexuality
Studies at Fairfield University. Adavia is an Employment
Specialist at Chrysalis. “Service is
not only positively affecting those
being served, but the servers also
receive gifts. We can step away
from ourselves, and notice others.
. . . We could all use a community. One centered around understanding, love, and patience.”
Emily Carey is from Hopewell
Junction, New York and graduated from The Catholic University
of America, where she studied
Nursing. Emily is a Registered
Nurse at Maryvale. “Throughout
my time at CUA, I have viewed
nursing as not only a profession in
which I can have a stable, rewarding job but also as a vocation in
which I can interact with and serve people through healing.”
Katie Heck is from Glenview, IL
Jonathan Nerdig is from Jewell,
and studied Digital Cinema and
Iowa and graduated from Luther
Chinese Studies at DePaul UniCollege, where he studied Psycholversity. Katie is a Teaching Asogy and Biology. Jonathan is a Case
sistant at St. Vincent Elementary
Worker at the Cardinal Manning
School. “The needs of the poor are
Center. “I believe we have a moral
the needs of any human. Not only
obligation to live in a way that is
do we need the basic necessities of
sustainable for future generations. . .
food and shelter, but also compas. On a spiritual level I believe that
sion and support. Every person
living simply allows the soul to
thrive whereas getting caught up in a culture of consumerism and place holds different needs and through honest and
open dialogue we can find out how to achieve them.”
stifles spiritual growth..”
Megan Fitzpatrick is from Mt. Carroll, Illinois and graduated from
Loras College, where she studied
Marketing and Media Studies. Megan is a Teaching Assistant at St.
Vincent Elementary School. “I am
so excited to have reflection with
other young people my age! . . . Living simply encompasses a number of
different voluntary practices to
simply one’s lifestyle, which can include reducing possessions
or even improving self-sufficiency.”
Michael Deely is from Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania and graduated from
St. Vincent College, where he studied Psychology. Michael is a Teaching Assistant at Our Lady of Talpa
School. “I know this sounds odd, but
I’m excited to live simply on a limited budget. It will give me a chance
to not worry about material possessions and live freely . . . it can be a
wonderful bonding experience. Faith, values, and experience
make you what you are not worldly possessions.”
Neenah Ferguson is from Richfield, Minnesota and graduated from The College of St. Scholastica,
where she studied Humanities and Spanish. Neenah is a Teaching Assistant at Mother of Sorrows
School. “The most important thing I’ve gained is to never take life for granted. Most of the time as
people, we fail to acknowledge that our everyday experiences are constantly changing before our
eyes. Each day brings something different, a new challenge, a new hope, a new discovery something
that touches each of us in a special way. If we take for granted these moments we can miss so much.”
SUMMER 2014
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Meet the SAN FRANCISCO community!
Ashley Thompson is from Alhambra, CA and studied History
and Political Science at Loyola
Marymount University. Ashley is
a Teaching Assistant at De Marillac Academy. “This is what I
wanted from the VSC program: A
way to grow in community with
people who also shared a passion
for service. If someone is willing
to give eleven months of their life to serve the community, I
already feel honored to be sharing a home with them.”
Jordan Bouchard is from Fairport, NY and studied English,
Psychology, Sociology, and International Studies at St. John’s University. Jordan is a Program Aide
at the St. Vincent de Paul Society
of San Francisco Wellness Center.
“Whenever I serve I always come
back to one simple idea—dignity.
No matter how rich or poor someone may be . . . it is important to view one another on the
same level, all being human and people of God.”
Jose Lopez is from Elmhurst,
Illinois and graduated from DePaul University, where he studied
Political Science, Peace Justice
and Conflict Studies, and Philosophy. Jose is a Hospitality Monitor/Outreach and Donations Coordinator at The Gubbio Project.
“I believe serving the poor is taking time and initiative to help create a platform for those who are not heard, to be heard.”
Molly Huth is from Fostoria, OH
and graduated from Aquinas College, where she studied Communication and Theology. Molly is a
Case Worker at the St. Vincent de
Paul Society of San Francisco Riley Center. “ . . . We experience
prayer, reflection, meals, and social times together as a large
group. . . . This experience has truly opened my eyes to what it means to live in community
with others—working toward the common good of all. “
Pamela Gonzalez is from Los
Angeles, California and graduated from Loyola Marymount University, where she studied Psychology and Elementary Education. Pamela is a Case Worker at
the St. Vincent de Paul Society of
San Francisco Riley Center. “I
will never forget each of the stories we heard, and especially the
injustices we saw with simple human rights...Their faith has inspired me to see God even in the midst of the darkest moments, just as they have with all the injustices they face. “
Skyler McNulty is from Soquel,
California and graduated from Loyola Marymount University, where
she studied Dance and Biology. Skyler is a social Action program COORDINATOR at the St. Anthony’s Foundation. “We do not
choose the life and family we are
born into, but I strongly believe that
there are a multitude of ways to improve or change situations in our lives by making wise decisions and following the word of God.”
Jordan Bouchard
Emily Carey
Michael Deely
Neenah Ferguson
Megan Fitzpatrick
Pamela Gonzalez
Katie Heck
Molly Huth
Jose Lopez
Skyler McNulty
Jonathan Nerdig
Ashley Thompson
Adavia Thornton
Program Aide
Registered Nurse
Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Case Worker
Teaching Assistant
Case Worker
Hospitality Monitor/Outreach and Donations Coordinator
Social Action Program Coordinator
Case Worker
Teaching Assistant
Employment Specialist
St. Vincent de Paul Society Wellness Center
Maryvale
Our Lady of Talpa School
Mother of Sorrows School
St. Vincent Elementary School
St. Vincent de Paul Society Riley Center
St. Vincent Elementary School
St. Vincent de Paul Society Riley Center
The Gubbio Project
St. Anthony’s Foundation
Cardinal Manning Center
De Marillac Academy
Chrysalis
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VSC
WEST
SUMMER 2014
PICTURES FROM ORIENTATION!
Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Skyler and Jordan hanging out. Katie, Neenah, Michael, Jonathan, Jose, and Ashley share their stories through creative drawings. Megan, Adavia, and Emily let the world know where they are living this year. LA Crew, shares
their community covenant with the LA Vincentian Family during Mass. Father Prudencio Rodriguez, C.M. is the presider.
SUMMER 2014
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PAGE 7
PICTURES FROM ORIENTATION!
Left to Right, Top to Bottom: SF Crew shares their community covenant. Molly and Pamela getting excited for the year. Fr.
Gregory G. Kirsch and Sr. Frances sharing stories. LMU’s, Tom King speaks about Alcohol and Social Justice. RJ, Darby, Ann,
and Connor (VSC ‘09-’10) reminisce. Neenah listens to LA support person and former volunteer, Katie Abel. Time to eat cake!
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VSC
WEST
SUMMER 2014
ALUMNI UPDATES!
Jen Schooling (‘05
-’06) and John on
a walking trip. “If
any of the volunteers are ever in or
near Cambridge,
please let me know,
I’d love to see a VSC
face some time!”
Karen Essick (‘09-’10) and her students at Hampton
University Child Development Center.
Congratulations to Veronica Gaidelis-Langer and
Nathan Langer (‘04-’05) for the arrival of their newest family member, Frances Rose, born May 16th!
“Her big brothers Isaiah (5) and Simon (3) are very excited to have a little sister.”
Board of Directors
Sr. Trinitas Hernandez, DC
Board President
Rosalie Rendu Center
Sr. Josephine Burns, DC
Province of the West
Thank you Mark and
Mary Tran-Wexler for
serving as support people
for the San Francisco Community and sharing your
ministry of presence.
Thank you to our alumni who gave a helping hand and
came to support the new volunteers at Orientation!
Do you have any cool news you would like to share
with the rest of the “formers” or greater VSC family?
Interested in getting involved? Know a good joke?
Please let us know. We love hearing from you!
Vincentian Service Corps West
25 San Fernando Way Suite B
Daly City, CA 94015-2065
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Kitty Mullooly
Business Manager
Mullooly Dental Services
John Scudder
President
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
Sr. Kathleen Powers, DC
Demarillac Academy
Sponsored by
Member of MISEVI International
: 650-991-6465
: 650-991-3905
: vscwest@dochs.org
www.vscorps.org