Residential Volunteer ~ Residential Volunteer Program Off to a Great Start

by S. Bonita Gacnik | June 21, 2016 | Residential Volunteer Program

Sacred Heart Monastery  launched its Residential Volunteer Program during the fall of 2015.  We welcomed our first Residential Volunteer in October, 2015. Since that time, 4 more Residential Volunteers have joined the program.  Our first volunteer, Susan (arrived in October and left in December), is a dentist from Louisiana, our second volunteer, Theresa (arrived in March, 2016, and plans to volunteer for a year), is a former elementary school teacher from Florida; our third volunteer, Katie (arrived  the middle of June and will volunteer for 3 months) is a senior at Mount Marty College majoring  in elementary education; our fourth volunteer,  Elisabeth (arrived in June and will be here for 3 months), was a project  analyst  with the state of Washington; and our fifth volunteer, Bridgette (arrive in early June and will stay for 6 weeks), works with special needs children and is from Nebraska.  Sister Bonita, director of the Residential Volunteer Program, was to the Monastic Community, and Sister Penny, Prioress of Sacred Heart Monastery, lead the Sisters in prayer and a blessing to formally welcome each volunteer. The Residential Volunteer Program provides an opportunity for enrichment, not only for the volunteers, but also for the Sisters.  The Sisters look forward to sharing times of prayer, ministry, and recreation with the Residential Volunteers. While volunteering at the monastery, the historic home of Bishop Martin Marty on the Sisters’ Monastery campus is the initial residence for volunteers participating in the program. The volunteers join the  sisters at Liturgy of the Hours, Mass,  and meals, and work 20 to 30 hours each week assisting with the daily tasks of the Monastery.

-S. Bonita Gacnik