COMPARINGYEAR OF SERVICE PROGRAMS
This page provides guidance for those who are exploring the logistical side of a year of service. Whether comparing programs, thinking about living arrangements, or considering daily responsibilities, clarifying what one wants will help make an informed decision when ultimately choosing a program. While logistics aren’t the whole story, they are an important part of discerning where someone is called to serve. Below are questions to reflect on and ask program staff.
For those who haven’t yet spent time prayerfully discerning whether a year of service is right for them, click the button below to visit a page with guidance to support reflection and listening for where God may be calling.
Logistical Questions to Think About and Ask
Overall
To think about: Where do I feel most called to serve: domestic or international? How much time can I realistically commit: one year, two or longer? How structured or independent do I want my daily routine to be?
To ask: Where is the program located? How long is the program commitment? What financial support is provided? How structured is the program?
A Service Perspective
To think about: Do I want to choose my placement or have it assigned? Would I prefer serving in a role directly with people (clients, students, patients) or behind the scenes (administration, advocacy, support)? Do I want a steady schedule or more variety?
To ask: Are placements chosen by volunteers or assigned? Are placements the same for all volunteers or do they vary? What does an average workday/week look like? Do volunteers ever serve on evenings, weekends or holidays?
A Community Perspective
To think about: Do I want to live more independently or in an intentional community? How important is community life to me? Do I want to live with other volunteers, a host family or a religious community? How often do I want to share meals and daily life with others?
To ask: How do volunteers live: independent housing, host family or intentional community? Will I live with other volunteers or with sisters/brothers? How often do volunteers share meals together: daily, weekly or occasionally?
A Faith Perspective
To think about: Do I want a faith-based program? How often do I want to pray with others? Do I prefer Mass and worship to be a community expectation or a personal choice? How important are retreats or spiritual direction to me? Am I drawn to a particular charism or religious community?
To ask: Is the program faith-based? What faith-based requirements are there? Retreats? Mass attendance? Frequency of prayer? Is spiritual direction provided or self-arranged? Is there a chaplain or religious community involved?
What advice do you have for those comparing programs?
Discern the values and/or vocations you want to explore, then the experiences that would encourage that exploration. Every program looks different in how community, spirituality, and service is fostered—so talk to current volunteers about their experience. Also consider what support you’ll need. For example, I knew I might move out-of-state for the first time, so I looked for programs where staff were in close proximity to the volunteers to help with the transition. I also wanted multiple opportunities to reflect and pray on my experience throughout the year, so I researched how retreats were hosted.
Chloe Alviz – FC 25
Go with your gut, confide in one or two people you trust, and lean on God. For me, I was discerning between FrancisCorps and one other program. To start, you are truly choosing between two goods, which at least to me, is more difficult. How do you choose the right one if both are good? For me, it was all about how I felt post interview and after finding out I was accepted to the program. That is when I was able to see how I really felt. Any option will give you beautiful experiences, but at the end of the day it truly is about where you can visualize yourself best.
Daisy Fanter – FC 26
Ask yourself if you mainly want to do service for a year or do service within the context of a year long experience. Let me explain what I mean by experience. Even if you could do FrancisCorps twice, it wouldn’t make sense. The experience includes retreats, dedicated discernment, and a pilgrimage. All these aspects of the experience build on each other… with the end goal of sending us off into the world with the tools needed to better live the Gospel.
Aidan Reichenberg – FC 26
