SCN Immersion

Spalding University Students Volunteer in PA

2010-07-19T11:09:00.001-04:00

Spalding University students volunteer in PA

Durant Video

2010-07-14T12:57:00.001-04:00

Mississippi - July 2010

Video of the SCN & SCNA Durant, Mississippi, volunteer trip.

Heading home from Mississippi

2010-07-12T09:38:00.001-04:00

The volunteer group gathered for dinner last night at Sister Paula and Margaret's house. The feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction was evident. The painting at both clinics is complete. More importantly, the group developed a strong bond with each other and a deep admiration for the Sisters who work there. The group presented a card and gift to the two Sisters. Gayle Case described the feeling best when she told them, "I didn't know you before I came. Now, I'll carry you forever in my heart."

That's the whole point of our volunteer immersion experiences: to be of service to those in need, to find and to manifest God's goodness in our areas of service, to grow in appreciation of other peoples and cultures, and to allow our hearts to be changed. This trip was a success on all counts.

Sunday in Mississippi

2010-07-11T13:55:00.004-04:00

The volunteer group in Mississippi attended a Communion Service in Lexington, MS this morning, followed by a tour of the area from Sister Paula. Gospel this morning is the story of the Good Samaritan, and we were challenged to be open to the opportunities God places before us. Inspiring homily... and an even more inspiring weekend.

Durant - Saturday

2010-07-11T07:22:00.002-04:00

We had another full day. All the painting is almost finished. Just a little more to do at the Lexington clinic. We had a cookout last night followed by a time of prayer and sharing. Another great day!

Durant - Friday

2010-07-09T23:39:00.000-04:00

We had a full day today. We divided into two work teams to paint the clinics in Durant and Lexington. Both clinics are taking on a brighter look.

We are thrilled to see Sisters Paula and Margaret in action. They are both nurse practitioners for the clinics. We listened to stories of some of their adventures in home health care during their almost-30 years in Mississippi.

Tonight we traveled to the Rainwater observatory in French Camp for an evening of star gazing and learning about our universe.

We'll report for duty at 9:00a.m. tomorrow.

We arrived safely in Durant

2010-07-09T02:31:00.001-04:00

Everyone arrived safely in Durant - though some got lost on the rural backroads for a while. After laughing about those adventures, we shared about ourselves and prayed for openness to all that we will experience.

Thanks for joining us in this way. The work begins in the morning!

Journey to Durant, Mississippi

2010-07-08T10:34:00.002-04:00

A group of volunteers will journey to Durant, Mississippi to paint a medical clinic over the next few days. A van pulled out of Nazareth, Kentucky at 8a.m. this morning. One volunteer will travel from Memphis and two will travel from Chattanooga, Tennessee. They will join Sister Paula in Durant tonight. Follow us on our Journey. We will attempt to post daily updates. Thanks for your prayers for a safe and productive experience.

An Invitation to An Encounter in Faith and Solidarity with the People of Belize

2010-07-07T10:43:00.002-04:00

Download the Volunteer Ministry Brochure for the 2011 Las Flores, Belize trip.

What Will We Be About?

We will focus on meeting people, learning about other cultures, making friends and sharing faith, while we work side-by-side with people in need.

We will be working with local residents in Las Flores for home and school repairs. We will work in collaboration with our Sisters in Las Flores, Belize. Las Flores is located approximately 33 miles northwest of Belize City.

Cost: $1,300 includes round-trip airfare from Louisville, KY; lodging and food; all activities and excursions. It does not include personal purchases or optional travel insurance.
A current passport is necessary.
Participants must be able to walk some distances.
Participants need to be prepared for the heat and sun of the tropics.
Participants must be able to handle their own luggage.
Participants are encouraged to read “Belize: A Novel” by Carlos Ledson Miller, available in libraries and bookstores.
The trip is open to 10 registrants only. (Priority will be given to those who have not previously participated).
A non-refundable deposit of $650 is due on or before September 1, 2010. The remaining $650 is due by October 1, 2010.

Habitat for Humanity

2010-06-17T15:36:00.002-04:00

From June 21–26, SCNs Luke Boiarski and Nancy Gerth, along with Audrey Cecil, Campus Director of Spalding University, Louisville, Ky., and 16 students, will be working with Habitat for Humanity in Uniontown, Pa. They will be restoring a home for a needy family in this area. Participants will be staying at the SCN house in Dunbar, Pa. Please pray for their safety during this time.

Belize Volunteer Brochure

2010-06-09T11:51:00.003-04:00

An Invitation to An Encounter in Faith and Solidarity with the People of Belize

What Will We Be About? We will focus on meeting people, learning about other cultures, making friends and sharing faith, while we work side-by-side with people in need. We will be working with Hand-in-Hand Ministries in building a home for a needy family. Hand-in Hand Ministries is an organization that works in collaboration with our Sisters in Belize City.

Click here to view the SCN Volunteer brochure on Belize

SCNs Volunteer in New Orleans – April 2010

2010-05-04T14:20:00.002-04:00

New Orleans - February 2010

2010-03-05T15:58:00.000-05:00

Sister Luke and a group from St. Joseph Parish in Tiltonsville, Ohio, travelled to New Orleans, La., on February 21, 2010, to continue to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

SCN Immersion Trip to Belize Feb. 2010

2010-03-05T12:57:00.003-05:00

Luke Boiarski, SCN, and ten volunteers returned safely on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, after spending eight days in Belize City building a home for a family of three. They worked in collaboration with Hand in Hand Ministries to provide shelter for the poorest of the poor in Belize City.

Las Flores, Belize

2010-02-18T16:25:00.006-05:00

Luke Boiarski, SCN, and a group of 13 volunteers returned safely on Monday, February 15, after spending a week with SCNs in Las Flores, Belize. They built a home for a family of eight and a latrine for the school, as well as other repairs.

New Orleans - January 2010

2010-01-22T00:29:00.006-05:00

Sisters Luke Boiarski and Nancy Gerth, along with eight other Sisters from the Charity Federation, joined 22 young adults from Canada, Kansas, New York and Ohio in New Orleans, La., from January 4-9 to continue assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina. The group did interior and exterior painting, assisted with a plumbing project, worked on yard clean up, and assisted with arranging a food pantry at Corpus Christi Parish. While in New Orleans, the group stayed at the House of Charity, a newly acquired house for the Charity Federation.

Sister works to rebuild communities

2010-01-14T14:30:00.000-05:00

Imagine waking one morning knowing your world would soon be ripped apart and likely never able to be wholly returned to that treasured state called "home".

Click here to read the whole story from the The Times Leader.

SCN Immersion Trip: Appalachia

2009-08-28T16:19:00.002-04:00

Deep within the Appalachia Mountains a group of 16 young adults joined six sisters from the Sisters of Charity Federation to be of service to the people of southeastern KY.

We demolished an old building. We painted, cleaned, dry walled and repaired homes and even built a dog house. We prayed together each evening, shared our experiences with each other and listened to the stories of the people we served.

We continue to hold the People of the Mountains in our hearts and prayers.

SCN Immersion Trip: New Orleans

2009-04-09T12:54:00.003-04:00

SCN Immersion Trip: Belize

2009-03-27T14:54:00.002-04:00

House #108

2009-02-22T14:15:00.003-05:00

The group gathered for a prayer service over the new home of Magdalana. She received a bible, a picture of the group, a welcome mat and the key to her new residence. Hand in Hand Ministries workers were present, along with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth immersion group, to support Magdalana in her transition to home ownership. Special thanks to Candy For Caring, which financially supported the materials used in building this house.

Video from the last day of building

2009-02-19T22:10:00.001-05:00

The Home is Complete

2009-02-19T22:01:00.002-05:00

On day four we finished the house. We were all quite amazed that it could be completed so quickly. We never would have believed a home could be standing in what was a short time ago, an empty lot. But now the home for Magdalana is there in all of it's yellow and green glory. It is a wonderful sight to see.

Day Three

2009-02-19T07:31:00.004-05:00

After three hot days, the home is almost complete. Everyone has been working very hard and that hard work and teamwork is paying off as we now see the house before us. The walls are up and the roof is on. Thursday we will begin to paint and finish the windows and doors.

Video from the building site

2009-02-17T20:00:00.001-05:00

We really worked long and hard today. We sawed, we planked, we made additional frames for the walls ... and finally around 5pm we raised the walls. All four walls are standing. Tomorrow we put in windows, put on the roof, doors and may start painting.

Tonight we had a nice dinner, meatballs, a salad, macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes.

We are so proud to have house up ... it's all coming together. A very hot day. But just as we were raising the house, it rained gently. It was nice and little cool ... still hot and humid in Belize.