Weeks are flying by. The J.V.C reunion went very well; good to hear that many former participants on the programme are still working in the area of community development and social justice. I was grateful to them for sharing some of there stories, thoughts and reflections on there time with the J.V.C and beyond.
Last night we visited the Jesuit community in Leeson street for a meal. I am used to having beans on toast most nights so to get a splendid 3 course meal was most welcome haha. The Jesuits i met had some tremondous experiences, one spent over 40 years in Japan teaching, others spend a number of years setting up education programmes in East Africa, all have spent there life helping others find there way and it was truly inspirational.
I hope I can look back one day and say I have achieved even one-tenth of there good deeds in the world. Brian Grogan also led us in a pleasant mass and it was great to be included in the Jesuits everyday ritual, and feel apart of there community even if it was only for one night.
All my projects are ticking over, feeling stronger and more comfortable in the various roles I have undertaken. I have also started tutoring with J.U.S.T this week, and that was good, my pupil Jordan is a nice lad and hopefully I can do some for him as he prepares for his leaving cert. Still a little anxious about my future post-J.V.C but guess I should keep re-emphasising to look after Today and let Tomorrow look after itself.
Footnote: Remember to breathe and come up for air sometimes!
mid term break this week so a little more time to myself. spent it productively. first of all invited my parents over to ballymun to visit the jvc community. was really good to show people you love, respect around your new life, to show them what you are doing etc. i am grateful to Sean too for spending the time to talk to my folks and give them a feel for what sli eli does.
also had my first meeting with my spiritual companion, who i will visit forthnightly just to feed out and help process the meaning of all the experiences and emotions i am coming across. It was a productive meeting, just good to talk about your week to someone who knows ballymun well, and has a serious amount of experience in the area of community development. I know i will learn from these meetings and become a better all round individual.
Its been a month now of living in Ballymun. The experience so far has been very cathartic. Working on the various projects has given me a new insight into the human condition, and given me a real thirst for life again. I go to bed every night now very tired; but wake up refreshed eager for a new day of challenges.
Sean, and all the staff at JVC have been great, setting up the flat,answering our queries and in the main being a sounding board for all our thoughts. We have also met other Jesuits like Frank, and Kevin who are just inspirational characters.
On a personal level, from working with the ballymun kids in the Aislinn, doing the homework club with JRS, befreinding with DePaul Ireland and my tutoring with St. Johns; I have found myself suprised on many occasions by the vivacity and energy of human beings; witnessed the joy the sorrow of life's grand scheme and learned so much from every soul I have met this month.
Footnote: Work begun, work still to do. In the forthcoming month I hope my schedule settles down, and i learn to take onboard the changes, experiences which I am going through..and I hope to keep smiling and remember to dream and dream big!!
For the next six months, (well now ony about 5!!) I am part of the Jesuit Volunteer Community, or the JVC programme. That all sounds very grand, but it aint at all, and 'grand' is not what it's all about. It's really about being real, and living a 'real' life. The programme is kind of a formation for us young people, making our way in the world. It is a time for us to look at our faith, our journey, at the meaning and purpose of our lives, and of how we can bring our faith and that deeper part of ourselves into our everyday lives in a meaningful way.
