The moment my plane touched ground in Philly, my eyes opened up to a whole new reality. It was the first time moving out of my home city of Chicago. I did not know what to expect of this new experience. I came in with the mentality of “Expect nothing, and you will enjoy [...]
Dear FVMs, You're headed to what I can only describe as a singular experience, and not just because Michael Duffy will take you on mystery rides. It's a unique time because the shape of FVM both supports you and challenges you to grow. And, while I hope that your whole life has that shape, [...]
I can still hear the whistle and the rumble of the El on the tracks. The echoing voices of the friars singing 'Salve Regina' in the chapel. I smell the urine and sweat in the yard bathroom and of the dirty dusty sad streets. And the sweet cookies that my mentee, from the Latin American [...]
. “Man, I’m glad to see you,” said a guy outside the gate, who was shaking, panicking, having an episode or on a substance, clearly in the midst of a nightmarish experience. “It’s ok,” I said, after a moment. He wandered over to the side of the gate, still very much panicking. I couldn’t [...]
“Don’t strive for perfection; you will always be disappointed. Strive for the Spirit; She’s always present.” ~ Michael Duffy, OFM My first few days of being the new FVM Program Director were a whirlwind. I began two weeks before the incoming Class of FVMs was to arrive. Two people decided they would not be [...]
“What has your volunteer year taught you about love?” That was the question I asked a panel of former volunteers during my final semester at St. Bonaventure University in Spring 2015. Among the panelists was an alumnus of FVM. Everyone gave thoughtful answers, and I was encouraged that I would not be alone in [...]
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one [...]
A few weeks ago, I was in a job interview and the interviewer asked me, "what's your five year plan? How does this job fit into your career goals?" I hadn't really considered the question, and it brought back a lot of memories. When I was a child, I never had a good answer to the [...]
The 2020-2021 FVMs Live across the block from a guest named Hector And receive guidance from Katie Sullivan and Emma Edwards Because they’re the program directors Our site supervisor is Michael Duffy Now I had hoped for better I’m only kidding, on the inside he’s very loving Which is why guests ask to speak [...]
Reflection by Kathryn Getek Soltis St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 24/25, 2020 Exod 22:20-26; 1 Thess 1:5c-10; Matt 22:34-40 I want to share some brief reflections today. I am not speaking for the anti-racism committee, but my reflections do grow out of the conversations of this group of [...]
