Gateway Vincentian Volunteers: Our Lives

On a beautiful Saturday morning in April, the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers traveled to Perryville, the home of the Vincentians since the 1800s.

The volunteers were treated to a reflection by Fr. Art Trapp, C.M. Fr. Art spoke about the apostles and about the Passion of Jesus.

After the reflection, the GVVs joined the Vincentians for lunch and conversation. Some GVVs stayed for the afternoon to fish with Fr. David Nations, C.M.

We thank Fr. Art, Fr. Charlie Prost, C.M., superior, Br. Richard Herman, C.M., Fr. David Nations, C.M., and all the Vincentians in Perryville for a wonderful day!

Back in Indianapolis, I used to start off everyday real slowly, sitting on my porch, drinking coffee, and reading the Bible. One day I read this, “Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others.” I wrote it down and thought that it was lovely.

That same day I went to work at the Indianapolis State Fair in a tiny, hot, fried candy bar stand serving people for 12 hours a day for 2 weeks. It was great timing to put that attitude into practice. Like this story, other things were always happening that were placing the idea of service on my heart, and it was always coupled with the idea of love. Love and service.

The summer before I came here, my porch time was consumed with thinking about these two words. I called it, in my head, my summer of love and service. This extended into my year of love and service, and I hope eventually that I can say my life of love and service.

Service. The service that I have done as a Gateway Vincentian Volunteer was beyond anything that I could have ever imagined. I love medicine, and I have physician assistant school to look forward to when I leave here, and I also love working with teenagers. When I was deciding what to do for this year, I was torn between the two. Initially, I chose medicine, and I got to work in free clinics, help refugees get immunizations, and do a lot of health education classes. But what has really been amazing is that I also got to spend half of my time in high schools and at a homeless shelter for teenagers. I was their court appointed mentor. I met with groups of ten for one hour a week.

The first part of the year, the students came because the court ordered them to. After they had fulfilled their requirement, they all continued to come voluntarily for the rest of the year.

The students have grown so much. They have more self-confidence, they respect themselves, and they deal with stress and relationships more positively. They know what it is like to set a goal, work hard, and feel how rewarding it is to accomplish a goal. Spending time with the “loser high school students that no one cares about” or “the bad kids” as they referred to themselves early on, was what I looked forward to most during my week.

Love. The service that we do is half of the GVV program. The other half revolves around living in community, and living in community has taught me a lot about love. I have learned that I want to love quickly, love with enthusiasm, and love with out boundaries. John 13:35 says, “by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” People will not know we are Christians by our morals or by how we voted in the election, but by our love. I think that it is awesome that it is our love for others that sets us apart.
PEACE, LOVE, and SERVICE.

The names listed below are those donors who contributed to our Matching Gifts Appeal after we had printed our April newsletter. Thank you so much for helping us exceed our goal of $20,000!

Because of you and your generous response, we exceeded our goal! THANK YOU for helping the GVV program continue to serve the poor and pass on the mission of St. Vincent DePaul to young adults!

Dan & Mary Ann Astrup
from Michelle (GVV 00-01) & Jason Astrup
Fr. Jack Melito, C.M’s Retirement
from Robert & Anne Golterman

The names listed below are those donors who have made contributions after the mailing of our April newsletter. Thank you for helping us spread the mission of St. Vincent DePaul to young adults. This program would not be possible without you!

An Anonymous Donor
An Anonymous Vincentian
Delbert & Agnes Bohnert
Jerry & Pat Guilliams
Paul Heidemann
Robert & Emily LaBarge
Michael & Victoria Laucello (Parents of GVV 08-09 Mike Laucello)
Danny Lyskowski (GVV 07-08)
John & Carlene Rauh
Rev. John Richardson, C.M.
John Schicker
St. James the Greater Conference of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul
Rev. Charles Shelby, C.M.
Rev. Edward H. Sullivan, C.M.
Al Weilbaecher
Gerald & Joan Wentzel
Grace Whalen
Steve (GVV 00-01) & Sarah (GVV 01-02) Wiederkehr
Rev. Robert Zimney, C.M.

We also sincerely thank our donors who have asked to remain anonymous. If we have inadvertently omitted your name from our donor list, please accept our sincere apology AND let us know so that we can correct the error!

We are immensely grateful to Joe Komadina and the St. James the Greater Conference of the Society ofSt. Vincent DePaul for helping the GVV program purchase of badly-needed, previously-owned (but new to us!) van. The van is used not only to transport GVVs to community events, but each year it is also used by at least one volunteer in direct service to the poor. Thank you all very much!

We are very grateful to our donors and sponsors for making
our golf tournament on June 1 a success! Thank you all!

Corporate Benefactor
Pallet Logistics Management, Inc. & PLM Transport, Inc.
3311 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103
Courtesy of Steven D. Snodsmith

Gwendolyn Alvarez
Anonymous
Larry and Amelia Berra
Michael and Mary Callahan
John and Mary Ann Capellupo
The Congregation of the Mission—Fr. David Nations, C.M.
Fr. Jim Cormack, C.M.
Katie DeClue
Thomas and Patricia Dinkins III
Esse Health—James Ebel, M.D.
Excellent Clean Company—Mike Piasecki
G & W Meat and Bavarian Style Sausage Co., Inc.
Grey Eagle Distributors—David Stokes
Guardian Angel Settlement Association
Henning Communications, Inc.—Patrick Henning
Hodak’s Restaurant & Bar
The Hoge Family—Jim Hoge
Hydrojet Car Wash—Bob Moegle
Mike and Katy Kapilla
Helmut and Mary Rose Kramer
Kuna Food Service—Dan and Don Bippen
Martha Lane
Tammy LaPlume
St. Louis Cardinal Kyle McClellan
McGurk’s Restaurant
McMahon Ford—John Schicker
Normandy Golf Club
Michael and Nancy O’Keefe
Pepsi Americas—Chuck Amburg
Sandrina’s Restaurant
St. John’s Mercy Neighborhood Ministry
The Schicker Family
Bob Sieckhaus
Greg and Joan Stark
Dr. John W. Tabash Child & Adult Orthodontics
Larry Volk
Fr. Jeff Vomund
Robert Vondera
Walters Golf

We also thank our Golf Planning Committee for all their work!
Fr. Jim Cormack, C.M., Denny Cuddihee (Chair Extraordinaire!), Rich LaPlume, Fr. Ed Murphy, C.M., Fr. David Nations, C.M., Sr. Kathy Overman, D.C., and Jim and Geri Ryan.

We are also grateful to our Head Chefs, Harry Wilson and Lou Enriquez. We also thank volunteer Pat Poehling and the GVVs of 2008-2009: Calli, Lauren, Robyn, Mike, Mary, Brooke, and Katie.

And last but certainly not least, thank you to our wonderful and faithful players!

The names listed below are those generous people who made donations after our December newsletter and before the beginning of our Matching Gifts Appeal in January. Thank you for your help! YOU make the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers Program possible.

Allan & Donna Bambao
Don & Dorothy Barry
Rev. Charles Barthel
Delbert & Agnes Bohnert
Sr. Julie Cutter, D.C.
Phil Delano & Mary Englebreit
Eugene & Rita Esselman
Charles & Ann Gappa (Parents of GVV 01-02 Elizabeth Gappa DeBoo)
Robert & Ann Golterman
Paul Heidemann
Br. Richard Hermann, C.M.
Robert & Janet Maciej (Parents of GVV 01-02 Jeff Maciej)
Michael & Margaret Martin
William Phillips
Rev. John Richardson, C.M.
Steve & Becky Roarick (Parents of GVV 01-02 John Roarick)
Toshio Sato (GVV 04-05)
Bill & Mary Lou Schicker
Rev. Charles Shelby, C.M.
St. Vincent DePaul Society—Mary Queen of Peace
Halbert & Jean Sullivan
Philip & Karen Theoktisto (Parents of GVV 08-09 Katie Theoktisto)
Tricia & John Thiel
Gerald & Joan Wentzel
Grace Whalen
Rev. Robert Zimney, C.M.

If God doesn’t give you what you want, He always gives you something better.

Fr. Paul Doyle gave the homily at the Closing Mass of my Freshman Retreat. I have no idea what it was about. However, twenty-three years of experience as a Roman Catholic leads me to believe that his homily related to that Sunday’s Gospel reading. I couldn’t tell you that, either. But sitting cross-legged on the floor of that sunshine-filled chapel on Sunday morning, I will never forget the last fourteen words of his homily, “If God doesn’t give you what you want, He always gives you something better.”

It’s difficult for me to accept the notion that bad news, broken relationships, or everyday obstacles could actually be gifts from God that are far better than ones I would have chosen for myself. Ah, but that’s God. I never can quite figure Him out. And I never will “figure Him out,” but I am surely coming to know Him better, especially in these last ten months as a Gateway Vincentian Volunteer. I am coming to know that God grants me wondrous gifts through people, places, and circumstances that I may not have initially wanted for myself.

Because, c’mon, who wants to live with people that don’t abide by your standards of kitchen cleanliness? Who wants to live with people that strongly disagree with you on matters of politics or religion? Who wants to live with people who have personality quirks that irritate you?

But wouldn’t you know it, dirty dishes in the sink and crumbs on the counter have forced us to communicate with one another and come up with creative solutions to resolve the fruit-fly magnet that is the community kitchen. Engaging in heated discussions about the presidential election has taught us to speak with love and acceptance to roommates with opposing views. And encountering those touchy “I had a bad day at work” moods has helped us to be patient and understanding with those who need to vent out loud or spend quiet time alone. All of these beautiful gifts we have been given—creativity, acceptance, patience, and so on—have been born out of circumstances in our community life that we probably did not want in the first place.

After living in community for almost ten months with my fellow Gateway Vincentian Volunteers, I recognize the truth in the words of Fr. Doyle. There are certainly many things in this service year (and in times before) that I could have done without. However, I firmly and passionately believe that while God has not always given me what I want, He has always given me something better.

We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And to know the place for the first time

My experience of serving the poor and living simply in community this year with the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers has brought me greater knowledge of myself, of society, and the ways in which God works through us. As I leave here it is as if I am returning to where I started. I feel as though I have really grown as a person this year in a lot of ways and have come to know myself much better.

In my previous volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity at Niagara University, I enjoyed the tangible benefits of my labors. The influence of the Vincentian community at Niagara who dedicate their lives to the poor inspired me to continue with service work in St. Louis at the Franciscan Connection, which provides home repairs for low- income families.

Working in people’s homes has given me a very uncensored and intimate look at people living in poverty. I have seen the chaos going on in their homes and have witnessed the daily stress created by a lack of things that many may take for granted, whether it be a lack of basic plumbing, electrical fixtures, or simply the absence of a kitchen table.

I have been very inspired by the perseverance and strength of character shown by many of our clients in the face of great hardships. Ruth, for example, was supporting both of her young grandchildren despite having emphysema and using an oxygen tank to breathe. At times I would get discouraged that we could not provide more than transient home repairs for those we served, but I would take comfort in the fact that interacting with the clients was just as important as the repairs we provided. While remodeling a bathroom at Barbara’s house, we stayed after work each day to play basketball with her mentally handicapped son. Sometimes, just being present for our clients and being able to play and joke around was the best service we could provide.

It’s been enriching to talk to those we serve and hear their stories while working in their homes. Eleanor, a senior citizen from South St. Louis, told us all about her life and also frequently recited a poem that spoke to us about Divine Providence in her life and her trust in God. I have learned that, despite the adversities they face, many of our clients see Divine Providence in their lives just as Eleanor does. This has helped me see God’s hand in my own life as well. I have grown in my faith through all the joys and struggles of this year.

I have learned a lot from living in community, and it was great having the support of my housemates during the year. I finally quit smoking this year and ran a half-marathon, two things I never envisioned myself doing. The biggest change that I have undergone, though, is in the way I think and feel. In serving the poor, feelings of charity and a desire to continue to serve have grown in me.

I joined this program because I thought I was doing the right thing and now I feel I did. After being around people like my housemates and everyone at the Vincentian and Franciscan communities in St. Louis it’s hard not to feel inspired. This year has shown me what a community should look like, and can look like, with everyone living in the Vincentian spirit, supporting each other, and caring for the most disadvantaged and impoverished among us.

Fr. Ed Murphy, C.M., President
Mr. Rich LaPlume, Vice-President
Ms. Tricia Thiel, Treasurer
Mr. John Capellupo
Fr. Jim Cormack, C.M.
Janel Esker
Martha Lane
Sr. Mary Patrice Murray, D.C.
Fr. David Nations, C.M.
Sr. Kathy Overman, D.C.
Nichole Purvis, GVVA
Fr. Joe Williams, C.M.
Jim and Geri Ryan, Directors

Gateway Vincentian Volunteers
2912 Arsenal Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) - 771-1474
Toll free: (888)-771-7220
Fax: (314) - 771-2410
email: gatevol@aol.com

Working, Praying, and Living in the Spirit of Vincent DePaul