From my previous experience volunteering with the Religious of the Assumption, I knew I wanted to do it again. I am truly grateful for my time volunteering in Worcester, MA, and I will cherish it for the rest of my life.
Whilst volunteering at St. Peter’s Parish, helping at their food pantry and teaching English as a second language, I was moved by the stories and experiences shared with me and how everyone was treated with dignity. Moving forward I will carry those life lessons with me. These initiatives epitomise what the Assumption Volunteer scheme is all about: helping those in one’s community.
Every Friday I would assist in hosting the knitting and crocheting sessions. The ladies were very warm and gracious, and extremely patient with my efforts at both crocheting and knitting. Since coming home, I have continued to develop my skills, and I have picked up a new hobby thanks to them.
I often helped Sr Akeneta in the garden and as spring turned to summer it was lovely to see how the garden started to bloom, to see the fruits of our labour.
I stayed at the Assumption Centre, which I shared with other volunteers past and present. I enjoyed living in a community with other girls who shared the same mission. Every week we ate together and I have never eaten such delicious homemade cookies and pies. They introduced me to life in Worcester and kindly helped me navigate American supermarkets. They showed me some of the local amenities and we attended Adoration and Mass together when possible.
I particularly enjoyed spending time with the girls and Msgr. Scollen, who kindly treated us for breakfast at a typical American diner after volunteering at the food pantry on Wednesday mornings. Since he had been born in Worcester, he was a fount of knowledge and full of anecdotes about the city.
I was there in the spring when we took part in the Walk For Homelessness, raising funds for the charity. We wore matching t-shirts which we had tie-died for the event.
I was most fortunate to visit St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer twice, the second time for a Pentecost Retreat. I was taken aback by the beauty of the surroundings and also the peaceful atmosphere.
I am truly blessed by the Sisters’ kindness and support in Worcester. They made me feel so welcome and I felt at home straight away. I admire their generosity of spirit and feel honoured to have been able to learn from them - from the history and work of the Assumption in the USA, to their own individual causes. I appreciate every single one of them, and anyone who knows them is blessed to have them in their life.
To their virtues, I would add a sense of humour. I have never laughed so much as I did playing Mini Golf with them.
I would like to thank Sr Nuala, Sr Evelyn, Sr Phuong, Sr Akeneta, Sr Beatrice and Sr Delphine, Maura, Katherine, Caitlin, Brenna and a special thanks to Sandy and her husband Paul. They all opened up their hearts to me.
I am thankful for the scheme, and I would recommend it to anyone considering volunteering.
Jolanta (England)
