A Reflection from Addie

As our 2016 Summer Experience program at St. Mary-by-the-Sea in Cape May kicks off, we listen to the words and experiences of 2015 volunteer Addie Crossen. Addie will be starting her Junior year at Duquesne University in the Fall. Below she shares about her time as an SSJ Mission Corps summer volunteer last year...

When I first heard of the Summer SSJ Mission Corps Program, it sounded like a dream come true. How could it not? Spending 6 weeks in Cape May, one of the most beautiful places on earth, volunteering - one of my favorite things to do - and meeting others my age that share in some of my main interests! There was no downside to this opportunity and as the summer went on I truly did realize it was a dream come true.

2015 Summer Mission Corps volunteers from Left
to Right: Clare, Addie, and Rosalie

Spending my summer at St.Mary’s-by-the-Sea Retreat House with the SSJ Mission Corps was the best decision I could have made last year. I had just finished my freshmen year of school and had gotten away from my volunteering roots, which I really didn’t like. Volunteering had always been a large part of my life and I knew I needed to get back to it somehow. Not only did the Summer Mission Corps Program provide me with a way back into volunteering, it also taught me so many lessons that I never expected to learn.

I learned how to live a simpler life, not only through my own actions of fasting and reflection, but through the examples of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. How they live their lives is truly beautiful and I am so grateful to have been able to take part.

I learned how to live in a community, and all of the incredibly hard work and patience it takes to be more concerned with the well-being and the needs of my community rather than my own, so that we were able to work together and grow together and learn together. The importance of communication and the ability to discuss my feelings with others will forever be a lesson that I will continue to use in my life.

The best part of living in the community was forming the bonds that were created. Being able to go from barely knowing one another to spending everyday together and becoming great friends was the greatest part. I was able to be with my friends and learn who I am as an individual with them as they were learning about themselves at the same time. It is an experience I will always cherish.

Meet the new SSJ General Council and Angelique, our 2014 SSJ Mission Corps Volunteer!

The summer has been a time of great transition for the SSJ Mission Corps and the SSJ community. June wrapped up the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia's Chapter gathering. This event, held every five years, provides a space for the SSJs to gather together as a community and create new "generous promises" and elect new leadership. If you would like to read more about the SSJ's general promise and the incredible accomplishments of their Chapter gathering, click the following link:

http://ssjphila.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/NEWS-RELEASE_SSJ_Chapter2014_web.pdf

We are proud to share with you the new SSJ General Leadership Council for 2014-2019 (pictured below).

Additionally, we are excited to announce that we have taken on a new SSJ Mission Corps volunteer, Angelique Bradford. Angelique will be living in community with another volunteer program, ACE: SJU, and working with our Sisters at the SSJ Welcome Center in Kensington.

We are thrilled to have Angelique with us for half the year. She will simultaneously be wrapping up a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Justice, Peace and Human Rights at Haverford College. She is an incredible singer, participating in a newly created A Capella group as well as cantoring at St. Dominick's in Holmesburg, where her community resides.

Angelique Bradford, our newest SSJ Mission Corps participant!

During the upcoming year, I will also be spending some time at the SSJ Welcome Center, helping out with Grant Writing and communication needs for the upcoming year. It is a time of many new beginnings and we are excited to continue to report as things progress and develop!

In Peace,
Becca
SSJ Mission Corps Director

Summer Happenings at the SSJ Mission Corps: Farewell to Claire and Maggie, Welcome to the Summer Experience!

At the end of June, we said farewell to our two wonderful yearlong volunteers, Claire Geruson and Maggie Myers.  Both of these incredible women have already (!!) secured jobs. Claire moved back to Boston and is working for Stepping Stone Foundation College Success Academy as the Program Assistant and Class 4 Advisor.  Maggie will be joining the staff of the SSJ development office (more on that to come very soon!). We are so proud of the incredible work these women have accomplished through the past year and are excited to hear about their new adventures. Stay tuned for a post about Maggie's mural project at Visitation BVM  School in Kensington.

Becca, Maggie, and Claire on the SSJ Mission Corps closing retreat at Jesus House in Wilmington.



Next we would like to extend a warm welcome to our three SSJ Mission Corps Summer Experience volunteers. At the end of June we welcomed Clare Crossen, Addie Crossen and Rosalie Carvalho to St. Mary-by-the-Sea retreat house in Cape May Point, NJ. Addie, Clare and Rose will be living in the Queen and working for the Summer as volunteers while living out the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  Stay tuned for a post coming soon introducing you to each of them!

Here are a few photos so far from the Summer Experience program:

From left to right: Clare, Addie and Rosalie in festive spirits on the 4th of July at St. Mary's.

Clare, Rosalie and Sr. Ann Francine sporting the fancy new 2014 St. Mary's T-Shirts! 

Clare and Sr. Julie Fertsch, SSJ enjoying a sunset dolphin cruise! 

Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude for all of your prayers and hospitality throughout the past year. Our volunteers have felt so welcomed and embraced by the SSJ Community. Thank you for allowing the SSJ Mission Corps to continue to thrive through your love and support! 

National Poetry Month - Lucky in Πάφος (Paphos)

Lucky in Πάφος (Paphos)

Two hours’ drive

to the Tomb of Kings

where golden icons with hollow eyes

and faded dolphins mosaics

provide hiding places

for the ancient phantoms

who follow flesh and breath

through twisting corridors and cavernous halls.

In a two-table café

an excited old man

in faded blue and patches of drying cream paint

too eager to show off his sons

pushes away the cigarette smoke,

the briny sea air,

the stinging of onions and curry

to offer halloumi and souvla

and zivania, a drink that bites your tongue,

a cannon ball in your belly.

Too late to catch a bus

two thumbs hang in the air

until a dusty, gritty car pulls up.

“Nicosia?” we ask. “Larnaca.”

His reply drips down his beard.

“Palestine small English.”

As if he’s practiced for this moment.

The door closes behind me.

We can get home from Larnaca.

by Maggie Myers

National Poetry Month - To my Grandmom

To my Grandmom

Remember

the couch covered in sheets—

blue, green, orange, pink—

extra long?

Remember

a million pairs of jeans

littered around the room?

Fashion shows for weeks!

Remember

dinner?

The table was full

but in came pound cake—chocolate icing and sprinkles!

Remember

peaches, warm weather and a pool?

Flying south together.

Remember

Crazy cousins at the beach?

Losing teeth, losing power, losing sanity…

Remember

every time I needed something

and you fixed it?

I do.

Thanks.

by Maggie Myers