Closing Retreat Day 1

Well after our unforeseen lack of internet connection, here is the final blog for the 2009-2010 FVM year. (Don't worry, the next blog will be up in less than a month for 2010-2011)

For our closing retreat, each community, Katie, and I met up in Wareham, Massachusetts, at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center. This particular retreat location has seen two years of FMV closing retreats, and this one was just as fantastic as the previous years.

Our retreat was a reunion of sorts, and saw people come from many different places to come together one last time. Due to various circumstances, we had people come from Maine, New Hampshire, Buffalo, Las Vegas, and of course from our three ministry sites.
The first full day on retreat we had a great prayer down by the water. Camden led the prayer and had us realize the nature and our places in the living world. We listened to some amazing readings and then were asked to draw pictures of what we think our lives are in a representation of a house. This was tough for the non-Picassos of the FVM world, but we all truly found something prayerful in whatever we put down on paper.

After lunch we continued a tradition FVMs have done for many years now. We wrote letters to ourselves about how we have grown during this past year personally, communally, and spiritually. The letters were then sealed, and will be sent to us at some point during this upcoming FVM year. Once those letter were written, everybody wrote letters to next year's FVM class. Words of wisdom, advice, and prayers were put down on the paper, and will be presented on opening retreat.


Post dinner. We had Mass down at the boat house led by Leo (Philly), Brad (Wilmington), Eddie (Wilmington), and Josh (Camden). Fr. John celebrated and we had music by Julianne (Wilmington) and Crhis (Camden). It was the perfect ending to a great first day of retreat.

Hot and Humid

The temperature in the mid-Atlantic is up, and so is the action for revolving around FVM. Over the past month, we have accepted, and been accepted, by seven applicants for next year's FVM class. They come from all over the map, and are eagerly awaiting their site placements. With this many people already accepted, we have been running around like crazy with interviews, site visits, and entertaining. It is a labor of love, and we are very excited to have such a strong number so early (for us anyway).

Although work has picked up, we still find time to enjoy ourselves. I took six FVMs to Baltimore, along with two St. Francis Inn interns, to see the Red Sox and Orioles duke it out. The game was a bit lop-sided (going the Red Sox direction), but we all had a great time. It is always nice to get out of the ministry setting and have fun.

The St. Francis Inn block party is only a week away as well, and we expect all of our FVMs to be in attendance for this amazing event.

Peace

Springing forward

Spring has arrived, and with it, the formation of FVM 2010-2011. WE obviously realize that the current FVM year isn't over quite yet, but we have to start working on next years group as well.

Over the past month, we have received many applications and have generated much interest in out program. To date, we have accepted, and been accepted (the most important part), by two applicants for next year. This week we are hosting three prospective volunteers at each of our ministry sites. This is a very exciting time for us as we strive to maintain all three of our sites for the first time in a very long time.

As a reminder, we are looking for donations, no matter what amount, to reach our goal of $12,000 by the end of June, to be matched by a generous benefactor dollar for dollar. We realize this is a tough economic time, but any donation will be welcomed with much gratitude.

Peace,

Matt

April showers, brings May...

Donations?

We here at FVM hate to do it, but we are asking for your help. Over the past 20 years of our programs history, we have been totally supported by the many generous benefactors of the Holy Name Province by way of the Benevolence Fund. We are fortunate to have been free of fund-raising duties, but now we need your support!

Beginning this year, our funding has been decreased by 33% and we are responsible to pick up the rest. That is where you come in. No matter the amount, your donation will go directly to help an FVM serve our brothers and sisters in the Camden, Wilmington, and Philadelphia communities. And to top it off, any donation you make will be doubled (up to a total of $12,000) from now until the end of June by a gracious anonymous donor.

We realize that the economy has been tough and money is short all around, but we would love you to consider a contribution so others may be able to experience and realize the amazing powers of the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry.

Donations can be made directly on our official website at www.franciscanvolunteerministry.org, or you can send your gift to:

FVM Program Director
P.O. Box 29276
Philadelphia, PA 19125

Thank you again for your generosity!

God Bless

Ecumenical Advocacy Days

Camden FVMs Anna and Chris, as well as Julianne from Wilmington headed to Washington D.C. this weekend to take part in the Ecumenical Advocacy Days. Here are some pictures from the event.





Meeting with Rep. Robert Andrews






Norma's family welcoming the Camden community.

It's been a while

Sorry this has taken so long to get up. The past month has been crazy with events, retreat, travel, and some personal struggling. So here we go.

During the beginning of February, I spent a week at Siena College speaking with students, friars, and faculty. Whether with the Career Center, Student Senate, freshman classes, or on the radio with the school's president, FVM was everywhere for the week. I also held a reunion for the Siena students who had visited the Inn over their winter break. we had a great time, and then started a St. Francis Inn club on campus. They are scheduled to be back to the Inn in late May!

We celebrated the Birthday of Fr. John Coughlin, ofm (Camden site supervisor) on Jan. 31, as well as a big birthday, I won't mention how many years, for Fr. Michael Duffy, ofm, on Feb. 11.

At the end of February, March Madness began at the Inn with the arrival of yet another group from Siena College. They were a great group again.

Following Siena, St. Anselm College arrived at the Inn. We (FVM) have had a strong connection with St. Anselm over the past few years as evidenced by four volunteers this year, and one the two years before this.

As of now, the University of Eastern Illinois is at the Inn, and next week the Inn hosts St. Francis University.

Camden is making progress...

Just an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer about a project our FVMs have taken interest in.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/80521777.html