Earlier this month, I attended the National Conference on Faith-Based Service held in Cleveland, Ohio. One hundred plus people gathered as community to share, deepen and expand ideas and dreams about service that can change our world. It was a great gathering, and so much continues to resonate for me:
- We don’t do service to make us feel good about ourselves. We do service because Jesus says, “feed the hungry, comfort the sorrowful, . . .”
- “Service never sleeps” –We must build allies for social justice and stand together with the marginalized. Diversity and inclusion are so important.
- Our baptismal promises bring us together to encounter and accompany the vulnerable.
- God creates out of chaos. A single individual can be enough for hope!
Having shared that, I am happy to announce our Ursuline Summer Service program for 2020. We will work at an amazing place in San Antonio, Texas, Haven for Hope, where persons experiencing homelessness are helped and strengthened. Housing will be at Our Lady of the Lake University. It will be a week of community, service, prayer and fun with the Ursulines, all steeped in the culture of beautiful San Antonio. Applications are welcome!