Closing Retreat Day 4

The final day of the 2009-2010 FVM year started the same way opening retreat began. We gathered in the chapel to have Mass said by Fr. Michael. The song "Voices that Challenge" was played as it has been for many years, and our volunteers were guided to think about the people they came in contact with over the year, and who's voices challenged them. Many of the FVMs had their eyes closed, and it was easy to see they were imagining the people who touched their hearts.

Fr. Chris played a beautiful rendition of "Pescador de Hombres" that brought tears to a few eyes. The way he played and sang showed so much passion and love that it was hard not to get emotional.

After communion, each community received a farewell blessing, and were anointed with oil by their site friars.



After Mass, we gathered for a photo shoot outside. It took many tries to get good pictures, but we finally found some that worked. To see more photos from retreat, head to our Facebook page.



In closing, we were truly blessed to be able to work with such a great group of volunteers this year. They challenged each other as well as us, but their commitment to their ministries, communities, and each other are to be commended greatly. It was evident than our volunteers were working for God, and that God was truly working through them. Good bye to our 2009-2010 FVM class. Thank you for everything, and may God bless you.

Closing Retreat Day 3

Wednesday Morning came a bit sooner than normal due to the fact we were up late. Really late. A few of us stayed up to greet one of our FVMs who had to go home for some personal reasons. We thank you for your prayers regarding this matter!

When the whole crew finally woke up, we had a Mass led by Julianne, Chris, Rory, and Anna. We gathered in the Chapel of the retreat house and then made a pilgrimage outside to a crucifix and statue of Mary. While outside, we went around the circle and had a very personal prayers of the faithful. We then headed inside to conclude the Mass. Chris and Julianne shared their amazing musical talents by singing and performing a song during communion. It was truly beautiful.

After Mass, we got together for a presentation by FVM alum Kelly Quist (Philadelphia 2003-2004) about life AFTER FVM. Kelly shared some stories from her personal life about how hard it was to readjust to life outside of the FVM world. This really helped many of our FVMs who are in a position of transition. Kelly was able to bring such a personal experience to a group setting easily, and said many times how lucky our FVMs were to be in the program.

We would like to thank Kelly greatly for being present and for such personal sharing!



During lunch, the annual mystery ride was announced. We had 15 minutes to get ready and pile into every car we had. Twenty minutes later we found ourselves at a ferry to head to MARTHA'S VINYARD! This marked the third "off continent" mystery ride. The weather was a bit shaky in the morning, but once we boarded, the sun came out in full force. Once we hit port on the other side of the water, groups broke off to explore. Some went to go eat, some went to the beach, and some went bike riding around the island. We were able to spend about four hours mixing it up with the tourists and millionaire mansion owners and we all enjoyed it thoroughly.




After we grabbed some dinner, Wilmington led our final prayer for the 2009-2010 year. For the prayer, we lit candles and said a prayer of thanksgiving for something in our FVM lives, and then one for the incoming FVMs. Although we were all pretty tired, it was the perfect way to end a perfect day.

Closing Retreat Day 2

We woke up Tuesday after the rain had passed, and had a Mass down at the boat house again. The Mass was put on by Celia, Kelly, Mary and Norma, and was celebrated by Fr. Chris. We sat on the beautiful porch of the house looking over the bay. Music again was brought to us by Chris and Julianne, and all four girls gave reflections after the Gospel. For the remainder of the Mass, we headed to the beach where we had communion and a few songs. The feel of the sand between our toes and the sun beating down on us gave us a great realization of nature and how blessed we are to be a part of it.

Following Mass, the director of the Cabrini Mission Corps, Gina Scarpello, started a presentation about transitions. Gina, a former volunteer herself, gave great insight in to how difficult it is to transition from a year of service. Gina explained the difference between a transition and a change, and how both can be dealt with. After a short lunch break, each individual community broke off, friars included, to discuss and brainstorm what they have learned this year communally, spiritually, and personally.

We would like to thank Gina greatly for sharing her gifts with us, and for facilitating sharing and understanding for our communities.


After dinner, we had a great prayer led by the Philadelphia community. During this prayer, we all got up one-by-one, and gave affirmation to a particular member of the 2009-2010 FVM community. Each person was given a name randomly, and was asked to get in front of the whole group to affirm their name. This was a beautiful demonstration of how deeply we each cared for each other, even if we weren't the closest to the person on the paper. Everybody took this exercise very seriously, and the mood of the rest of retreat seemed to be more relational.



More to come...

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