Change of Perspective

Before FrancisCorps, the majority of my prayer life was encompassed by individual prayer in my final years of college. I was interacting within a bible study, but still the bulk of my time spent in prayer was individual. The commitment to my faith life was based on my own motivation and wants.

When I moved to Syracuse in August to start my FrancisCorps experience, I began to pray with my community every day. This was such a change! My thoughts in prayer and how I was feeling about my faith life were no longer thoughts that remained in my head, but ones I could share with Karlie and Amanda. The exposure to different forms and styles of prayers was also a new experience for me as I was very used to the way I was comfortable to pray and this was eye-opening. I stopped seeing prayer as a strict construct of a way of doing something and more as a flexible way to connect with God.

Sharing my faith with my community members, Karlie and Amanda, has allowed us to also be so much closer. Not only do I get to spend more time with them at the end of the day (or start), but I also get insight into some of their prayer life. It is a beautiful thing we get to share.

During the day, I also get to see the community at Francis House. The interactions with the residents, volunteers, and staff has changed my perspective on my faith as well. There is so much joy within the two houses of Francis House, something I was not expecting at a hospice home. When I think back to my original viewpoint of death and dying, I had not given it too much thought. However, after witnessing many families and friends at Francis House lose loved ones, I see how important faith is in someone’s life. Even in the heartache and pain that can come from grief, there is a need for a greater purpose and a sense of joy.

On a different side, I see lots of suffering and hurt people at Assumption Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen. For the lunch, dinner, and food pantry window, I can see the same people showing up. How these people may be suffering from an illness or from an unfortunate situation, is a reminder of how difficult the world can be at times. Witnessing some of these things first hand has reminded me that this life on Earth isn’t and can’t be the only life. These people, like everyone else, deserve complete joy and happiness within their lives.

As my time in FrancisCorps comes to an end, I recognize that my faith has begun to grow and mature, and that I will leave with a broader perspective with the help of my community and service experiences.

Categories: Volunteer Stories

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