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Mar 25th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2006
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As I gear up for my last semester of college, I'm feeling an increasingly distinct call to service. Though I'm unsure of my vocation at this point, I know that there are many opportunities for lay service through a number of different organizations. I'd really like to serve abroad, and so far, I've looked at three groups: the Peace Corps ( http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm) the Maryknoll Lay Missioners ( http://laymissioners.maryknoll.org/index.php?module=MKArticles&mk_page=about.html) and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps ( https://www.jesuitvolunteers.org/) Have any of you had experience with these groups? Are there other organizations, either religiously-oriented or secular, that you'd recommend? Thanks so much. God bless, Chris
Last edited by Thepeug; 01/05/07 03:46 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Chris,
Personally, I would stay away from the Jesuits. That is my only two cents for what its worth.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,264
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Chris,
I am even inclined to say "avoid all three!"
What type of service work do you want to do? Aid to the Church in Need may be able to connect you to a few organizations, especially in Eastern Europe. I know that there are some organizations/apostolates dedicated to teaching English as a second language, whilie sharing the Gospel.
I'll do some searching for you if you like...
Gordo
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Joined: Apr 2006
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chris, I don't know your age or if you'd meet the requirements, but this is a rather short term volunteer commitment in a safe and proven environment. http://www.osavol.org/
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Chris, A look at this site http://www.missionboronyavo.org will give you an indication of the needs of our mother Greek Catholic Church in Europe. If you email to the Society they may have some suggestions regarding volunteer work.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Thanks for the information, everyone. Both the Augustinian Volunteers and the Mission Society seem really promising. AV seems a bit more structured and directed towards personal growth, while the Mission Society directly benefits the Ruthenian Church in the traditional homelands and in the U.S. One of my concerns about the Peace Corps or even about Roman Catholic organizations is that I'd have limited if any access to the Divine Liturgy; working in Ukraine or Slovakia would certainly solve that problem. I'll contact both to see what I can find out, and also try to get in touch with Aid to the Church in Need.
For those who inquired about may age and service preferences: as of June of this year, I'll (hopefully) be a 23-year old with a B.A. in religious studies, interested in overseas service work of any kind. Thanks again.
Chris
Last edited by Thepeug; 01/06/07 05:55 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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May the Lord bless you and many others through your service!
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Joined: Jun 2002
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How about Madonna House [ madonnahouse.org]? Founder Catherine Doherty started out Russian Orthodox and converted to Roman Catholicism. Although they are under a RC bishop, they have a very Eastern Spirituality.
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Chris, the UCEF is always looking for some good help, and you would have daily access to the Divine Liturgy and other services. You would also make a variety of contacts with different Greek Catholic religious orders, monasteries, etc. : http://www.ucef.org and http://www.ucu.edu.ua/eng/summerschools/language/ess/
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Here is a good eastern opportunity for service: http://www.yorktonredemptorists.com/html/the_welcome_home.html The "Welcome Home" is an innercity mission in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is set up by the Ukrainian Catholic Redemptorists to serve the poorest of that city. It is a drop-in centre / food & clothing pantry / parish / "Thursday night Vespers & a hot meal" type place. I had a profound year as part of this community when I was a Younger Adult.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Jessup B.C. Deacon Member
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Jessup B.C. Deacon Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346 Likes: 1 |
Whatever you do, avoid the Maryknolls. They are into Liberation Theology, an attempt to foster "Marxism with God-talk".
Dn. Robert
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Thanks for the continued suggestions. I apologize for my late response; my internet connection has been down for the last few days. I have a friend who's applying to the UCEF English program, and it definitely sounds appealling. I'll have to look into it. Also, thanks the for warning about Maryknoll. Unfortunately, I heard the same thing about the JVC.
God bless,
Chris
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