| VIDES Accompaniment in Asherton, TEXAS "Loving - Kindness" |
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Name: VIDES Volunteers at Formation/Service Camp (FSC 0606)
From: US
From: US
Volunteer Missioners at camp
Joe with camp kids
"We just finished the Asherton formation/service camp. It was
108-110 degrees hot in that quasi-desert place. However the fire
burning within blazed with great enthusiasm, joy, and generosity
pouring from all sides. Better than a cool breeze, it made us forget
the difficulties and discover the blessings:
• a wonderful group of Volunteer Missioners,
• the families making sacrifices to offer us dinner in the evenings,
• the kids excited and grateful for every little thing done for them,
• Father Salvador celebrating his 25th Anniversary of Priesthood,
• Sulema and Immaculate Conception Church office staff getting
people to help us,
• S Lourdes and S Mary (CDPs) letting us use their quarters without
any limitations,
• the Dominican Sisters (OPs) joyfully being available before camp
began to help with anything and eagerly helping with the kids
during camp;
• S Thuy, S Carmen, S Mary Lou (FMAs) and the Postulants, Lan Vy,
Michelle, and Valerie with an eye and a heart to feed us and help
wherever was needed.
• Amanda Ziemba Randall, Amanda (Mandy) Isaac, and Val Gomez
returning volunteers to be the Spirit Team—helping in a hundred
ways besides sharing of their mission experiences and presenting
Culture Stress, Servant Leadership, and Ecuador service.
On the last day I said, “I am exhausted, but my heart is overflowing
with thanks to God for all the blessings (just mentioned) which he has
bestowed on us!” Truly, the warmth that emanated from everyone
went beyond any measurable degrees and made everything not only
bearable but made us forget the hard times. It made it all worth it,
awesome and filled our hearts with hope!
Let me add a thought from one of our Volunteer Missioners, Suzanna
Kennedy, as she remembers the same magic experience of last year.
“Sister Gloria, how are you? How was the Formation Camp? I was
very nostalgic thinking about Asherton with everyone. I can't believe
it was a year ago. I have to tell you, I went to a Formation weekend
here in Rome, and although it was good... ours was amazing! There
is an element of Faith that the US group (thanks to your
accompaniment) has that is so strong and something I will never
forget. I know that the US volunteers really have a sense of
"mission." So, a year later, THANK YOU. For all you do and for all
that you do that we, the volunteers, don't even know. Your example
of mission is inspiring to all of us.”
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Now I respond. It is I who am most
grateful for your openness and receptiveness, for your youthful,
strong faith and enthusiasm, for the generosity and desire to make a
difference that you ALL bring! I ask Mary to accompany you on your
missionary journey, to let you radiate her Son’s Presence onto all you
accompany in your service, to let you feel her loving presence in
spite of the inevitable difficult moments that you will encounter, and to
let you feel our THANKS!
Blessings to all of you!
Sister MaryGloria Mar and FMAs
108-110 degrees hot in that quasi-desert place. However the fire
burning within blazed with great enthusiasm, joy, and generosity
pouring from all sides. Better than a cool breeze, it made us forget
the difficulties and discover the blessings:
• a wonderful group of Volunteer Missioners,
• the families making sacrifices to offer us dinner in the evenings,
• the kids excited and grateful for every little thing done for them,
• Father Salvador celebrating his 25th Anniversary of Priesthood,
• Sulema and Immaculate Conception Church office staff getting
people to help us,
• S Lourdes and S Mary (CDPs) letting us use their quarters without
any limitations,
• the Dominican Sisters (OPs) joyfully being available before camp
began to help with anything and eagerly helping with the kids
during camp;
• S Thuy, S Carmen, S Mary Lou (FMAs) and the Postulants, Lan Vy,
Michelle, and Valerie with an eye and a heart to feed us and help
wherever was needed.
• Amanda Ziemba Randall, Amanda (Mandy) Isaac, and Val Gomez
returning volunteers to be the Spirit Team—helping in a hundred
ways besides sharing of their mission experiences and presenting
Culture Stress, Servant Leadership, and Ecuador service.
On the last day I said, “I am exhausted, but my heart is overflowing
with thanks to God for all the blessings (just mentioned) which he has
bestowed on us!” Truly, the warmth that emanated from everyone
went beyond any measurable degrees and made everything not only
bearable but made us forget the hard times. It made it all worth it,
awesome and filled our hearts with hope!
Let me add a thought from one of our Volunteer Missioners, Suzanna
Kennedy, as she remembers the same magic experience of last year.
“Sister Gloria, how are you? How was the Formation Camp? I was
very nostalgic thinking about Asherton with everyone. I can't believe
it was a year ago. I have to tell you, I went to a Formation weekend
here in Rome, and although it was good... ours was amazing! There
is an element of Faith that the US group (thanks to your
accompaniment) has that is so strong and something I will never
forget. I know that the US volunteers really have a sense of
"mission." So, a year later, THANK YOU. For all you do and for all
that you do that we, the volunteers, don't even know. Your example
of mission is inspiring to all of us.”
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Now I respond. It is I who am most
grateful for your openness and receptiveness, for your youthful,
strong faith and enthusiasm, for the generosity and desire to make a
difference that you ALL bring! I ask Mary to accompany you on your
missionary journey, to let you radiate her Son’s Presence onto all you
accompany in your service, to let you feel her loving presence in
spite of the inevitable difficult moments that you will encounter, and to
let you feel our THANKS!
Blessings to all of you!
Sister MaryGloria Mar and FMAs
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| Faith "Religion" |
| Service "Reason" |