Volunteers - Mark
Perhaps the biggest misconception I faced about being a religious studies major during my four years of college was that my program of study was training me for the priesthood. Slightly frustrated by their lack of understanding about religious studies as an academic discipline, I would kindly explain to them that the study of religion is not necessarily synonymous with apologetics and that many of my fellow religious studies majors were non-believers.
So, while my academic background didn't necessarily prepare me for priesthood, it did provide me with a profound awareness of the pervasive role religion plays in all levels of life, both as a force of good and evil. However, for my part, I was determined to have my personal faith contribute to the good, although my connection to the Roman Catholic tradition I was raised with was quickly dissipating as the hierarchy seemed less and less wanting to proclaim the values embodied by Christ in the Gospels. Combined with my lack of enthusiasm for the Catholic community at my college, I despaired that perhaps I would have to leave behind my Catholic heritage to continue my spiritual growth.
Then, two things happened to me shortly after my college graduation that restored my faith in, well, my faith. First, I began to read Gustavo Guitierrez's A Theology of Liberation. Each word of Guitierrez's seminal work on liberation theology resonated with me, evoking in me a strong desire to commit myself to social justice as a way of living out the true salvific message of Jesus Christ. Then, one night while browsing the internet for a job, I came across a posting advertising a social justice volunteer program. Sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, it was inspired by many of the same principals informing Guitierrez's writing: a commitment to social justice, spiritual growth, simplicity and community. This program was the CCSC!
My faith rejuvenated, I quickly applied to the program, and after some hesitation, decided to sign on. The past few months have been rewarding as I continue to grow in many ways, but admittedly sometimes things can seem overwhelming and discouraging. At times, living with four new people from diverse backgrounds has been the most challenging of the four tenants, but overall I have struggled most to maintain my faith and continue to grow spiritually.
Confronted by the injustice faced by not only the people I serve at my two job placements, but by those my fellow community members work with as well, it is often difficult to find meaning in so much suffering. Truly, finding God in each person I come across on a daily basis has been the most difficult task I have ever attempted.
While seeing the image of God in each and every person (including myself!) has been incredibly challenging, I have been fortunate to have two supportive job placements that make this undertaking possible. Three days a week I work at the AIDS Alliance of Western New York, where my primary responsibility is to coordinate and ensure the funding of our food pantry service. A drop-in center serving the growing HIV/AIDS population in the Buffalo area, the AIDS Alliance serves approximately 2500 meals each month through its food pantry service and it also offers a daily lunch program and support groups. But, most importantly, it is a safe place to come for those who are dealing with the stigma of an HIV/AIDS diagnosis, and I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to hear some of their stories.
My other job placement is at Compeer West, a mental health agency that matches volunteers with children, adults, and seniors who have been diagnosed with a mental illness in a 1:1 friendship. In addition to my office duties at Compeer, I am also matched with two young adults who are quickly becoming friends that I look forward to seeing each week. Overall, my placement at Compeer has allowed me the opportunity to learn about the realities of living with mental illness and develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those struggling to improve their mental health and quality of life.
Reflecting on my first few months as a member of the CCSC, I have been fortunate to have been able to listen to, learn from, live with and serve people that I most likely would not have the chance to if I had not chosen the program over other career options after graduation. Yet, the experience has been trying and filled with struggles more often than not. Each person in the CCSC has a different vision of simplicity, community, social justice, and spirituality. The most difficult, but most essential component of this year has been dealing with these differences, and trying to turn them into a source of healthy diversity, not destructive division. This has often been an intimidating task, one that I often turn away from. But, hopefully, with the help of my community members, it will be achievable over the remainder of the year and lead to realizations that will help me for the rest of my life.