Right Where I’m Meant to Be

I first learned about FrancisCorps after going to a conference in DC last November. While I was there, I signed up for the Catholic Volunteer Network, and not long after, I got an email from Jenny Rose saying she saw my profile and thought FrancisCorps would be a great fit for me. I decided to look into it because I already knew a little bit about St. Francis. During college, I had the opportunity to go on a walking pilgrimage from Rome to Assisi, Italy, for a week with my college, and that was really where I first became familiar with St. Francis and fell in love with his story. Once I looked into FrancisCorps, I pretty much threw myself into the application process. Everything happened so quickly, but in a really good way. Right before Christmas, AJ called me to tell me I got in, and I remember saying yes without really thinking twice. I decided to do a year of service because I really believe service work is part of my life’s work. I also knew I wasn’t ready to jump into more schooling right away. I have always struggled with confidence and believing in myself, but when I am doing service, I feel so at peace and like I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. Saying yes to FrancisCorps just felt right. I loved the idea of spending a year doing service while also living in an intentional community. I had also gone to an Augustinian college, so I was excited to experience Franciscan spirituality and see how it was different from what I had known in college.

What excites me most about FrancisCorps is getting to serve in so many different ways, whether that is at my service site with Catholic Charities or serving my community alongside Erica, Elizabeth, Diana, and Nicole. I really love being able to come home to people who understand what your day was like, whether it was a really good day or a really hard one, and just having that support around you. Move-in went really well, and I was so grateful that my family was able to make the trip to Syracuse to drop me off. One of my favorite parts was actually walking into my room for the first time and feeling like it was already home. I had the same trash can I have at home, the window shade hangs in the exact same way as mine at home, and my sheets were blue and yellow like the ones I have at home. It sounds like such a small thing, but it made everything feel so perfect and meant to be. I also really enjoyed the orientation retreat. I have been on a lot of retreats throughout college, but this one had a different pace that I really enjoyed. It was a great way to get to know everyone, and I learned how to play Ticket to Ride and somehow have not been able to stop drawing roses on everything since that week.

The first few weeks of service have honestly been incredible. I already feel so at home at my service site, and everyone on the fourth floor has welcomed me with open arms. Almost every day has looked different, which I really love. I have gotten to power wash the sidewalk, help with fresh food distributions, do food research, and shadow at the men’s shelter. I never really know what each day is going to look like, and that has made it so much fun. Being at Catholic Charities has already made it really clear to me that I am in the right place. I am just really excited for the rest of the year and all of the people, experiences, and lessons that are still ahead.

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