July 2015

MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS Transforming Lives, Perspectives, The World

Orientation

Commissioning Mass at Carlow in Pittsburgh

Feature

A Goodbye Blessing to our 2014-2015 MercyOVolunteers

Staff

MVC staff welcomes new Community Coordinator

Para Español pulsa aquí www.mercyvolunteers.org contactus@mercyvolunteers.org Visit our Blog

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Sacramento Volunteers go hiking

NYC Volunteers at the Liberty Bell

Philadelphia Volunteers in Ocean City, NJ

NYC Volunteers enjoy the city

Philadelphia Volunteers in NYC

Arizona Volunteers at the 4 corners

Goodbye Blessing

A Goodbye Letter

Mercy Volunteer Alex Pierlott Says Goodbye To Her Volunteer Year Dear Bittersweet Goodbye, I’ve been feeling the bitter side of you more than the sweet side of you lately, Goodbye.

As my time in Hartford comes to a close, as I can count the number of weeks left on one hand, I am reminded of the sadness that you bring. I am busy wrapping things up at my service site, trying to prepare so

that my leaving is a smooth one for my coworkers. I am doing “last things” in Hartford, trying to spend as much time as I can with my community members and others with whom we have made close connections.

Time is slipping by. Sometimes, Goodbye, I think you do this on purpose. Time speeds up as you draw near. Clients at

Community Meals frequently ask when my last day is; they know I must leave soon, and they want to be prepared. “I can’t believe you have to go!” they say.

I can’t believe it either.

You know, Goodbye, that I have a tough time accepting you. Every time I open up my computer, the following quote Photo left to right: Alex Pierlott, Lauren Tatanus, Sonia Soto

by A.A. Milne greets me: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” You know I need to see this now more than ever, to be reminded that even though you bring me sadness, you aren’t all bitterness.

Goodbye, you are a reminder of how wonderful life and love are.

Your coming closer forces me to remember the good times and the challenges, the growth I have experienced and the many, many things I have learned. You prompt me to look back on this beautiful year of service with MVC and recognize how I have been changed by the helping relationships I have made with clients (with help and growth on

both sides), by the connections I have made with coworkers at Hands on Hartford, and by the family time I have spent with my community members. You show me that all of the things that make saying goodbye so hard mean I am truly blessed.

And without you, Goodbye, how would I ever get to feel the sweetness of Hello, or Hello Again? Although leaving Hartford will be hard, I know that on the other side of you, Goodbye, I get to say Hello Again to home, and family and friends I left there. And then, I get to say a brand-new Hello to the adventure of graduate school.

Goodbye, it is not easy to

accept you, especially the bitterness that you bring. But I recognize that you also bring sweetness too. You bring the close of experiences that are coming to an end at their appointed time to make way for new adventures. And your coming does not mean an end of the connections I have made here, nor does it take away from the growth I have felt here; it only signals a change in them.

Goodbye, I am sorry if I dread you at times, because I know that you are beautiful too, for you remind me of how blessed I am.

Goodbye, I remain, Ever-grateful, Alex

MVC Welcomes New Staff Member Mercy Volunteer Corps is happy to welcome a new addition to our staff, Ashley Hendzell. Ashley is a former Mercy Volunteer and will fill the NyPPaW Community Coordinator position for MVC. In this roll she will help recruit potential volunteers in the NyPPaW region while also caring for the Pittsburgh MVC community.

Ashley’s new office will be located at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA. Ashley studied Apparel Design and Technology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. During her senior year at Purdue she was able to attend her first mission trip to Baudin, Haiti. Since then, Ashley has served and coordinated numerous national service trips. Ashley volunteered with Mercy Volunteer Corps from 2013-2014 in St. Michaels, Arizona. While on the reservation she taught at St. Michaels Indian School.

After her year of service Ashley spent time working in the healthcare industry before ultimately accepting a position with Mercy Volunteer Corps. The MVC staff is excited to begin our new recruitment season with a great addition to our team!

To contact Ashley email: ashleyhendzell@mercyvolunteers.org

Congratulations:

MVC Alum ni We dding

In Memory of Bill Jungerman Mercy Volunteer Corps Remembers Late Alumni

“William Jungerman of Red Bank, formerly of Fair Haven, received his wings on July 9, 2015. Bill’s entire life was filled with caring of others. He cared for, touched and changed the lives of all who knew him. His early years as a priest were followed by his family and marriage counseling practice. Bill and his loving wife, Karen, devoted many years of selfless service with Mercy Volunteer Corps, caring for those less fortunate. His need to continue helping others was apparent through his work with “Dottie’s House”, “Turning Lives” and as a liaison with local abuse services.”

Mercy Volunteer Corps is very greatful for the many years of dedication and service that both Bill and Karen gave to furthering our mission.

They were an absolute blessing to Mercy Volunteer Corps and true examples of living lives in the spirit of Mercy. Their committment to serving those who are poor and marginalized will be remembered here at MVC with great admiration, and their spirits will continue to influence our volunteers for many years to come.

Mercy Volunteer Corps is keeping their family, friends, and MVC alumni and commuity members in our prayers.

Commissioning Mass in Pittsburgh, PA Mercy Volunteer Corps’ Commissioning Mass will be held at 4pm on August 8th at the Mother of Mercy Chapel in the Convent of Mercy (on Carlow University’s Campus). Sr. Sheila Stevenson, RSM (NyPPaW) will address the volunteers during mass. If you would like to attend the Commissioning Mass please RSVP by calling MaryDeMarco at 215.641.5535 or online at www.mercyvolunteers.org/events.

Mercy Volunteer Corps would like to extend a special congratulations to one of our alumni, Stephanie Nibaur ‘13 and her husband John Brehim, on their recent wedding. Stephanie served with Mercy Volunteer Corps at St. Michaels Association for Special Education on the Navajo Reservation in St. Michaels, Arizona.

Mr. and Mrs. Brehim were married on June 20, 2015 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Elma, Iowa. Several Mercy Volunteer Corps alumni were able to attend the ceremony. Featured below are Stephanie and John with their Arizona MVC Community!

Congratulations:

Pe rpe tual Profe ssion Mercy Volunteer Corps Alumna Jennifer Wilson will take her Perpetual Profession of vows to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas on August 2, 2015 in Buffalo. MVC staff will keep her in our thoughts and prayers during this wonderful time in her life.

Congratulations Sr. Jenny, RSM!

ABOUT MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS

Mercy Volunteer Corps promotes social change by placing and supporting volunteers for one year of service with people who are poor and marginalized in the U.S. and South America. Mercy Volunteers work in education, healthcare, and social services while living together in a community and growing spiritually.

Mercy Volunteer Corps 1325 Sumneytown Pike Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437 Phone: 215.641.5535 ContactUs@mercyvolunteers.org www.mercyvolunteers.org www.mercyvolunteers.tumblr.com

August Events August 1-3

Cross Cultural Program

August 4-9

Volunteer Orientation in Pittsburgh

August 8

Commissioning Mass in Pittsburgh

August 10

USA Volunteers begin year of service

August 24

International Volunteers begin year of service

Recruitment Planning Mercy Volunteer Corps has started to plan our recruitment visits for the 2015-2016 recruitment cycle. If you are interested in having an MVC staff member speak at your college, university, high school, or community event please contact our Recruitment Coordinator Chris Davidson to plan a visit.

ChrisDavidson@mercyvolunteers.org

Extending the Circle

Extending the Circle is a unique program offered

by MVC that allows you to support a specific volunteer.

Check out the volunteers’ individual pages to sponsor them in their year of service!

Donate Now

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