Gifts for a volunteer: hope and hospitality

I had no idea that the interview Sarah Knoblock requested of me would be a virtual one. This was outside my world. I knew the topic was volunteering and was ready to suggest that instead of talking about what I did, I give her a Healing Touch treatment. 

She looked a little puzzled but agreed. Ten minutes later we were setting up the mike and camera, Sarah explaining that she had some general questions about volunteering for me to answer. These short clips would be used on social media.

Here is a paraphrase of one challenging question. Why can volunteering at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods be a positive experience for the volunteer? Luckily the interviewee has time to think before the camera churns.

Hope and peace

Volunteering can be a source of hope and peace. Many visitors feel a sense of peace as they come through our gates. As for hope, what the world needs now is …. I trace these gifts to Mother Theodore and her companions. Without hope how could they have stayed in the middle of the forest to open a school? There is no house provided, where would they live?

But stay they did and their hope in the providence of God was an integral part of their lives in community, their spirituality and their mission. These women and their followers were women of hope. It was always a big deal, even more important than the practice of “No music teacher, no school.”

Prove me wrong

Reading the community’s history, one discovers the lack of adequate housing, fires, prejudice, problems with the bishop, lack of funds, etc. There was never a lack of hope.

Hope leads to hospitality. I heard on the news recently that a volunteer in some situation was told he was ONLY a volunteer. Not here. I dare you to prove me wrong. 

We will be so happy and grateful to have you here; you indeed will be “well come. “Hopefully (deliberate word choice) you will give volunteering a try. We hope to see you soon.