I decided I wanted to be a teacher when I was 17. I imagined growing up and having my own classroom. I thought about how I would decorate it, how I would arrange the desks, and how I would make sure that every student felt comfortable there. When I decided to spend the year as...
I have always loved the sun. I love the feeling of its warmth on my face. I appreciate how it makes the avocado tree in our front yard abundant with fruit. I look forward to the amazing show it puts on every morning and evening, each day different than the one before. I recently remarked...
My assignment as an Augustinian Volunteer is at St. Patrick’s Grade School, as the Physical Education and Technology teacher. A couple of days ago, I was having a conversation with some of the faculty at St. Patrick’s and we were discussing some of the best sports movies. One of my favorites is Field of Dreams....
Pentecost is my favorite liturgical feast day. Often viewed as the unofficial birthday celebration of the Church, I also like to view it as the disciples’ graduation. Empowered by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the peace of Christ, the disciples are called to action from their place of fear. Exactly one year ago...
When I first applied to the AVs, I had somewhat of an idea of how community life would be. I anticipated it was going to be similar to having roommates. Sometimes, what you think is not exactly how it turns out to be. Even with that in mind, I was still open to this “living...
Attending Villanova University, only 3.4 miles away from home, I have always stayed close by to my family. Moving 2,689 miles away from home was the boldest and scariest thing I have ever done in my life. I was terrified the last month of summer; August was quickly approaching and I would be saying goodbye...
Campus ministry work was something that, at the start of this year, I had a small degree of understanding about. I had been involved in the campus ministry department at my college throughout my junior and senior year. I had gone on a few retreats and done some alternative winter and spring breaks to various...
In Augustinian spirituality, there are three official Core Values: Unitas (Unity), Veritas (Truth), and Caritas (Love). However, there is also an unofficial fourth Value that I have found to be central to my spiritual growth during my year with the Augustinian Volunteers: Fooditas. Fooditas: n. \ˈfüdə̇ˌtäs\: the recognition that sharing a meal with others is...
Teaching P.E. at a grade school is far from predictable; in fact the unpredictability is what is predictable. One day everyone wants to participate and the next day everyone wants to talk about their upcoming weekend. Amidst this unpredictability, one thing has rung true, the students at St. Patrick’s have taught me how dependent we...
Working every day at my service site, St. Pat’s Elementary School, has settled me into a routine. I am often the first one to arrive at the school every morning as the sun is rising, and the last one to leave every evening, just as dark has crept over the entire school. Also in my...
