Volunteer Stories
Meet the Redeemer Ministry Corps Volunteers for 2009-2010
Stephen Eckart, from El Dorado, Arkansas, is a 2009 graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he majored in Biology. He was accepted to Tulane Medical School in New Orleans but deferred for a year in order to participate in the RMC program. Stephen, writes, “I decided to join RMC for a number of reasons, the most important was the desire to do service for other people and help instill a sense of service in my lifestyle. As a doctor one day (hopefully!), my whole career will be about serving others, and I think a year of volunteering in healthcare will really help me make that the philosophy of my practice, wherever it takes me. I’m especially excited to be a part of another faith-filled community being with the Sisters and other RMC volunteers, because I found that having an actively faithful community around me in college helped bring out the best in me as a person. I hope working with pastoral care in the hospital will help me understand how a hospital stay can affect people on a personal and spiritual level, and working with the kids and their health records at Project Rainbow will help me see what working with kids in medicine is like. I think these will both be valuable experiences to take with me to medical school and beyond.”
Stephen has two younger sisters who will both be juniors, one in college at Saint Louis University, and one in high school. Some of his favorite hobbies include playing the piano, playing all kinds of sports (especially soccer and tennis), singing, juggling, and playing all types of board games and card games.
Stephen is serving at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Pastoral Care and Drueding Center/Project Rainbow as a Health Liaison.
Connie Owen grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University, 2009, where she majored in nursing. Connie shares, “My motivation for joining RMC comes from my love of service. I can’t seem to sit still long enough to have a very contemplative prayer life, and have found that the best way for me to communicate with God is through serving others. Working with Redeemer Ministry Corps, I know I will get a great foundation for my future nursing practice in an environment that will encourage me to treat all of my patients as if they are Jesus. I look forward to the work, the community, and opportunity for spiritual growth.”
Connie shares this about her family. “I have two older sisters Liz and Lucy. Liz is married to a red head, so I am looking forward to the possibilities of ginger nieces and nephews in the near future. My mother, Mary Jo, is a nurse and a pretty amazing woman. She is my role model! My father, Doyle, is whom I get most of my hobbies from.” Connie loves being active and has played soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, swimming/diving, Irish dancing, ballet, tap, cheerleading, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, and rode horses. After graduating this summer, Connie went to Italy for two weeks with a group of students from her school’s Catholic Campus Ministry. “I got to see some of the greatest places and people in our faith. I even got to sit in the front row for the Papal Audience. And before the summer ends, my mother and I plan to drive along the Appalachian Mountains for a few days. Growing up in a Plains state, I find mountains to be quite a novelty and love to hike up them whenever I get a chance.”
Connie is utilizing her nursing skills at Holy Redeemer Hospital on the Oncology Unit and also volunteering some time with the H.O.P.E program at the Hospital.
Mary Anna Rodabaugh, from Painter, Virginia, graduated from the College of William and Mary, 2009, where she double majored in Sociology and in Theatre. Painter is a very small town located on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The Chincoteague Pony Swim and Misty of Chincoteague are reference points. During her college years, Mary Anna hosted her very own radio show on Saturday nights called Mood Swing. This show featured an hour of blues and an hour of big band, jazz, and swing. She was also involved in the social sorority Phi Mu, Catholic Campus Ministry and various theatre productions. On joining RMC, Mary Anna shares, “I had spent a lot time in prayer and reflection trying to discern God's plan for me and my life. I focused a lot on the Parable of the Talents. I had always wanted to do something in the field of journalism but I felt God was leading me to a path which would allow me to use more of my talents to help others and serve Him. I want to continue to grow in my faith. I hope to be challenged in ways that will bring about new self- discoveries. I hope to learn from the people I serve and hopefully make a difference in their lives as well. I'm treating this year as a year of discernment as I trust God to guide me to the path He has designed for me.”
Mary Anna has an enormous passion for writing specifically freelance journalism. She also enjoys any type of water sport, traveling, USA Today crossword puzzles, music, reading and writing stories about the everyday occurrences in her life. She is a Phillies fan since she spent the early part of her childhood growing up in Cape May, New Jersey. She loves vacationing to the beach whenever she gets the chance.
Mary Anna serves at Drueding Center/Project Rainbow as the Youth Advocate. Read her Blog.
Filling (many) needs and finding her truth.
Leah Tourtellotte 2008-2009
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
This quote from Helen Keller sums up Leah’s experience at Drueding Center/Project Rainbow. Her initial ministry was the Health Liaison for the children but she soon found herself saying yes to many more projects. From cooking lessons with the pre-school children to accompanying women on shopping sprees, Leah expressed gratitude for the experience.
Her most rewarding experience was the cooking activities she undertook with the children. Despite the occasional stress involved in getting all the supplies and working with varied schedules, Leah said it was well worth the effort because the children loved it. “I was delighted when they would experience something new and healthy and especially when they asked for more. And it’s pretty awesome when the kids ambush you with hugs.”
As Leah reflected on her year of ministry, faith, and community, she expressed awareness of God's gift of the courage to continue when faced with challenges. She spoke of her gratitude to the Sisters, especially the Angelus Community, who were always concerned for her welfare and accepted her unconditionally. She is equally grateful that they shared their joy, peace, and passion for social justice.
As Leah moves into her next step in life’s journey, she has learned that assertiveness does not, and should not, equal a lack of kindness or sympathy. “I am finding a better sense of balance in asserting myself and standing up for truth and justice while still serving and loving. It’s definitely a realization that will affect the rest of my life.”
Time is a gift and has no monetary value
Maria Coraggio 2005-2007
Upon sitting and reflecting on the past year as a Redeemer Ministry Corp member, I have come to the conclusion that it would be impossible to understand or express the magnitude of the impact from the experiences that I have had here. I feel it is hard to put into words not only because of the intensity of the experiences, but also because I am certain the impact will continue to be disclosed for years to come.
My ministry with hospice has continued to be a joy for me and in the second half of the year I started “in the field” seeing people in their homes. Going into people’s homes challenged me in ways I never imagined, like finding my way around the city and using Map Quest directions that take you down streets that don’t exist or suddenly dead end into a building. I know that time is precious. In society, a coined phrase is “time is money.” I believe and have grown more to believe that time is a gift and has no monetary value. As a volunteer, I have had the luxury to spend more time with patients and families. I cannot put a price on holding someone’s hand as they are dying, wiping away a tear or giving a hug. I cannot put a price on the wisdom of life I have heard, the faith I have observed, the reconciliation I have witnessed, the intimacy I have felt. I cannot put a price on the gift of seeing and believing in the value of time in life. I know I live my life in a different fashion than I did before these two years of service.
The more I think and reflect- it is true that hospice is a calling, but it goes two ways. I have learned that it takes a special person or family to allow you in their lives in such a deep and intimate way at a time when we all know time is limited. This is a true gift for me. I have had the honor to witness courage and trust in a very profound way.
My spiritual life has changed dramatically in many ways. My experiences through ministry, community, personal prayer, schooling, and young adult activities have deepened my spirituality and faith beyond any of my expectations. God continues to challenge me, but I have more tools in my toolbox to listen, have more courage to face what life throws my way, and more trust than I had two years ago.
Treasuring Life’s Moments
Julia Knoerzer 2001-2002
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched…
but are felt in the heart.”
This quote by Helen Keller describes the most wonderful experience I was able to make during my year with RMC. I worked in the Child Care Center at Drueding Center/Project Rainbow with the 2-3 year olds. Many events took place during my volunteer year both personally and in my service at Rainbow that touched my heart and changed my whole life.
One very specific experience comes to mind. On my third day in the United States, the Redeemer Ministry Corps (RMC) Director, gave us a rubber band, explaining that as much as we could stretch this rubber band, we could also stretch ourselves. When doing this, we would always have to watch out for our limits in order not to break under the pressure. Meeting the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer and so many other people that were around me during this year, I realized that so many of them made this stretch every day. They radically share their lives and gifts with others in order to make the world around them a better place. For me, it was impressive to watch this and it certainly left a mark in my heart.
I also learned that people who understand me and are willing to share their lives with me make this process of stretching my inner self so much easier. Many experiences and events I had with the members of my volunteer community brought me closer to them, to God and most of all to myself.
All of the children I was working with left a special footprint in my heart. I cannot say that I never wanted to climb up a wall when being with them but they made me feel unbelievably at home and so happy. I still remember one specific time when I painted socks brown for monkey finger puppets. Needless to say, I spent my lunch break cleaning the paint off the walls! The smiles of the kids, with those incredibly sensitive eyes made it all worth it!
It was through my volunteer year with RMC that I learned how to treasure life’s moments and to feel and keep them in my heart!!!!
The work of the Spirit
Darin Origer 1997-1998
A wise friend once told me that if you take a look at this moment in your life and could not have imagined it a few years prior, then you know the Spirit has led you. I agree. I never imagined being an elementary school teacher, I never imagined living in Alaska, I never imagined driving a bus for a living, I never imagined joining the Air Force, and I certainly never imagined living in a convent.
Working side-by-side with the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer has been one of the best experiences of my life. Redeemer Ministry Corps offered me the opportunity to grow spiritually and socially. There were many joys and many struggles. The challenges created for me are what I gained from the most.
Lack of income and living in community were the big social challenges for me. At that point in my life I had jobs that allowed me to have essentially whatever I could want whenever I wanted it. And with the exception of a couple of years in the Air Force, I had always lived on my own and by my own rules. Living in a community with all its quirks and using my monthly stipend to keep my car, my last significant material possession, was a humbling life experience.
The spiritual challenge during my year of service was loving others as I am loved. Interacting with the elderly, sick and dying patients, demented and handicapped residents, and the inner-city poor was a step outside of my comfort zone. Once again, I could not have imagined myself doing this on a fairly regular basis, but in retrospect it was a tremendous blessing.
My RMC volunteer experience brought many more happy memories than it did overwhelming struggles. Bingo Night, playing Santa at Project Rainbow, retreats to Sea Isle, humorous experiences from work, meeting new life-long friends, and many more fond memories further convince me that the Spirit was at work. I know that God led me here to serve and to grow as a person in one year more than I have ever grown in a one-year span of my life.
What Was It?
Anita Morawski 1998-2000
What was it? Was it the community of volunteers I lived with? Or the ministry I was a part of? Maybe the welcoming hospitality of the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer? Or perhaps the shore house retreats? What was it that made my two years with Redeemer Ministry Corps a life experience and an experience for life? It wasn’t any one thing, person, event or place. It was all of them. I look back at RMC and think, “Gee, that was such a long time ago, I’ve grown and changed in so many ways since then.” But the reality is, I wouldn’t be who I am today and where I am today if it weren’t for those two years and everything that was a part of it.
RMC was about journeying with the people we served and growing alongside them; it was about learning from the example of the Sisters what it means to Care, Comfort and Heal; it was about living with and sharing with other volunteers, and fostering relationships that are still alive today; it was about heated community discussions over doing the chores, and then pampering ourselves with cucumber slices and facial masks when all was said and done.
RMC meant Mass with the Sisters on Monday nights, community nights on Tuesdays; chit-chats around the kitchen table on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and videos and popcorn on Fridays; it was walks along Kelley drive on Saturdays, and Mass at St. Vincent’s in Germantown and coffee in Manayunk on Sundays.
RMC was the volunteers, all the Sisters, the staff, the people we served, our supervisors. The Pancake Breakfast, RMC days, weekend retreats at the shore. The trusty Truckster which took us where we needed to go, simple stipends that got us through the month, mystery phone calls that “no one made”, and thoughtful note cards that pulled us out of our lows.
It was about discovering who we are and what we value; it was about growing closer to God and becoming fuller in spirit. It was about learning how to give to others, and just as important, learning how to receive. It was about struggle and growth, emptiness and fullness, sorrows and joys, and coming out all the stronger because of it.
Experiences aren’t placed in boxes. They make and shape who we are, and remain a part of us for life. Though RMC might seem like it happened a long time ago, it is as real to me today as it was then. I’m grateful to all who were a part of it.
Seeing the excitement of the children…
Brian Pappas 2000-2002
I spent 2 years volunteering at Project Rainbow, a transitional housing facility for homeless mothers and their children as an Afterschool teacher. As a part of our summer camp I had the opportunity to plan many field trips. One which will stay with me for many years to come was our trip to Sea Isle City, NJ to go crabbing. Sixteen children, one of the children’s mothers, and 7 staff took part in this adventure. Riding in the 5-6 person boats, throwing the crab lines into the water and finally after a couple of hours actually catching a few crabs was a delight. To see and feel the excitement of the children is something I will not forget. Enjoying the water and the sunshine is hopefully something the children will take with them, along with the many experiences and memories that have been created the past 2 years.
A chance to serve others in a way I could never imagine…
Rena Rossi 2003-04
My volunteer year has been marked with many memorable experiences. How does someone summarize a year marked with many different emotions? This year has given me a chance to serve others in a way I could never imagine.
My work at Project Rainbow has helped me grow as an educator. I have enjoyed many different roles in ministry. The most rewarding and challenging have been with a young girl with behavioral needs in regards to different transitions she has undergone in her short life. Working with this little girl I had the time to be with her and give her the attention that she was seeking. I tried different methods to teach her alternatives to her negative behavior. In an atmosphere that was always changing I become a constant in her life.
Everyday I spent with her I could see her growth not to say we did not have any setbacks. Her mother also began to trust me and was able in a small way to try to get the help her daughter needed.
As the volunteer year drew to an end I thought about all the goodbyes I would have to make. Saying goodbye to this little girl and her mother was going to be the hardest. The day came and the goodbyes were said tears welled up in all of our eyes. The mom was thankful for all my hard work with her daughter. Then I saw the little girl again in the hallway and she came running up to me and asked the question that I most dreaded hearing. Rena why do you have to leave? I responded to her that I need to help more kids back at home. She smiled, her eyes filled with tears and said , “I’ll miss you” for the last time.
“…I can accomplish almost anything if I am up for the challenge.”
Emily Stewart 2003-2004
As a Graduate Family Advocate at Drueding Center/ Project Rainbow I was faced with many challenges and struggles. But with these struggles came strength, growth and empowerment of both the women I’ve served and myself. I have found a new power inside of me. I’ve learned that I can accomplish almost anything if I am up for the challenge.
This volunteer year has also helped me to be truly grateful for all that I have; heat, food, a support system, and even the ability to walk are all things that are easy to take for granted. I stand in awe of the strength of the women I have met at Project Rainbow. I’ve learned that the celebrations and successes are the moments where all the challenges of the work are worth it.
I also attribute my growth to my community, both my fellow volunteers and the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer. I have been supported and stretched through the openness, harmony and faith of those around me. The growth in my spirituality has made it easier for me to share my faith.
This year has been an amazing experience that I will carry with me forever. It has truly been a privilege to be a part of this community and to serve the families of Project Rainbow.
“It was all grace!”
Joan Steinen 2002-2004
I have worked at the Healthy Families program in Swainton, NJ for the past two years, mainly because I felt like my work, after one year, was not yet finished. I decided to continue in the ministry through being open to the Spirit, recognizing the sacred face of God in those I ministered to and with, lived in community with, all of whom I’ve shared life’s ups and downs.
Receiving my “big break” in life at 61, I learned flexibility, adapting to new beginnings and endings, and cherishing what endures. I was exposed to a new ministry and community. It was all grace.
The most rewarding experience for me was learning to be open to others needs and loving their giftedness and my own while living the present moment. It all happened in the cherished light of God’s wisdom and love.
I can sum up my volunteer experience by saying that “It’s like a roller coaster ride. You plunge into your heart’s longings and rise up and catch your dreams.”
“A time of great change and positive growth”
Thom Matera 2003-2004
My desire to join Redeemer Ministry Corps for a year of volunteer service is to feel like I am doing something small but good and worthwhile and meaningful and serving others, while living with others who are doing the same. I was able to fulfill this desire through my volunteer work at Drueding Center/Project Rainbow in the Education and Employment Department and in Child Care. The year has been a time of great change and positive growth. I have learned a lot about the needs of individuals and just how important each person is. I had some understanding of this before but the community and service really made it clear. I have been able to do a lot of the service and good I had hoped to do with the help of the RMC and my community members, my friends and my co-workers.