Springing forward...

With the season slowly changing from winter to spring, transitions are on the mind of many. This holds true for FVM as well. With the influx of sunny days, comes the inevitable question about "next year". How many volunteers will we have? How many sites will be open? What sites will be open? Great questions, and we will try to alleviate some of your curiosity.

As of today, April, 4 2011, we have accepted, and have been accepted by (the most important aspect of this) three prospective, now future FVMs. We are thrilled to share this news with our FVM family and community. The future FVMs come from three separate schools (Washington State College, Le Moyne College, and Siena College) and will begin their year on August 22. Please keep them in your prayers as they finish their college degrees, and prepare themselves for an amazing experience. We know that three confirmed FVMs for 2011 doesn't seem like many so far, but we are confident that all three houses (Camden, Wilmington, and Philadelphia) will be filled with FVMs, as we have many applications pouring into the office, and plenty of visits/interviews on the horizon.

Keep your eyes open on the Facebook page for a new project we are working on. We understand that not all prospective FVMs can visit each site in person, so we are trying to bring that experience to them. We are undertaking a project that will give potential FVMs and insight into each community and their corresponding ministries in a series we are calling "A Day in the Life". We have been, and will continue to follow our current FVMs during their days to encapsulate what it is to live, pray, and work as an FVM. We are excited about this project, and it will be ready for consumption soon.

Finally, we are proud to announce that Fr. John Coughlin, ofm, will be moving on from FVM to take on new ministries and community life at Mt. Irenaeus, our Franciscan Retreat community near St. Bonaventure University. Fr. John was the pioneer site supervisor for the Camden FVMs since its inception in 2006-07 and has seen the role of FVM become an integral asset to the Camden community. Fr. John has touched many hearts and minds over his nine year stay in Camden, and will be missed by his community and ours dearly, as will his compassion, infectious personality, and fondue expertise, but we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

-MJ