When I found myself with more time and energy to give back to my community, I wasn’t sure where to start. The number of volunteer opportunities in my area was overwhelming – and every organization in need seemed equally noble. But my searches and inquiries kept yielding one organization that approached service in a way that really resonated with me—purposefully, spiritually, and with discernment. That organization was the IVC. One night, a close friend called me, excitedly insisting I meet someone who could help me on my service journey. That someone was Teddy Michel, our regional IVC Director – and the rest, as they say, is grace.
Teddy guided me through a thoughtful discernment process that helped me clarify what I was truly seeking in a service experience. Together, we reflected on the skills I wanted to keep using, and the new gifts I felt called to explore. The result was a unique pairing. I now support the Diocese of Scranton with communications and fundraising for parochial education, tapping into my professional strengths. I also serve at Allied Hospice Center, where I offer comfort to those facing end-of-life illnesses and their families. It’s work that has quietly pushed me to grow in ways I never anticipated.
Though these two roles seem quite different, they’ve both deepened my spiritual life in profound ways. Through new experiences and relationships, I’ve been nudged to reflect more intentionally on my relationship with God. The IVC’s monthly meetings, prayerful reflections, and shared readings have only reinforced that inner growth. This journey has strengthened my faith, reconnected me to my community, and even helped me discern and commit to an overseas faith journey I’ll soon be embarking on.
If you’re thinking about volunteering through IVC, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take the leap, but with purpose. Reach out and begin the discernment process. Think deeply about what you want from the experience, not just what you can offer. That’s where the real magic lies – in the match between your own hopes and the needs of others. That inner nudge? It just might be the Spirit calling you forward – perhaps in ways you’ve never imagined.
