Watching young adults, like myself, serving God’s people in any way they can. It’s the one thing I enjoy most about the relationships I’ve been blessed with through the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown.
Most recently I witnessed young adults hard at work creating the “Summer Magic Camp” for children participating in the Ursuline Sisters’ various ministries. On June 23, our very talented AmeriCorps volunteers, Laura Roch and Janie Rosko, welcomed 20 children to the Motherhouse for a day of games, crafts, and swimming.
This was one of my first Motherhouse events where I was no longer a fellow volunteer, but rather, an employee for one of the children’s ministries. I can confidently say that the smiles on my kids’ faces at the end of the day proved Laura and Janie had succeeded. They gave these children a day to step out of their normal routine and make a beautiful summer memory.
In addition to Laura and Janie’s hard work, many volunteers also gave their time that day. I felt so inspired by their interactions with the children. Some played games (showing the kids how to play musical chairs), some assisted the kids in making crafts (slime and music shakers), and some even went for a splash in the pool, offering encouragement and support to new swimmers. A couple of our youngest volunteers also gave their time to bake and decorate cupcakes for dessert (a favorite part of the day for many!).
Watching the kids spend a day together just “being kids” made my heart feel so full. Watching the way the volunteers interacted with one another as best friends, smiling the whole time, reminded me that serving is a two-way street. As St. Angela Merici once said, “Reflect that in reality, you have a greater need to serve the poor than they have of your service.”