Four years ago, when I began volunteering at Sacred Heart High School for Catholic girls in Lincoln Heights, I had no idea what to expect. I just knew I had the gift of work experience and a love of teenage girls. I wanted to share those, along with my spirituality, with them. I hoped to guide them in building their confidence and reaching their goals during their high school years.
This past week, as I sat at their graduation award ceremony at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral, I witnessed many achievements of the seniors, two of whom I had become very close to over the last two years of mentoring.
One young lady, Brianna, received a special award called The Dominican Carisma Award. It was given to the senior who best demonstrated the values of the Dominican Sisters as the founding order of Sacred Heart. Brianna will be attending LMU, her dream school, for college.
Another young lady I mentored, Amberly, always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Amberly will be attending Pierce College on a full scholarship. Pierce is a two-year Veterinary preparatory college with a 90% transfer success rate to UC Davis, helping its students secure financial aid to complete their veterinary education at Davis.
I have learned from these bright and passionate young women to be more courageous myself. They have opened my eyes to my ability to maintain joy during struggles. I have learned about new music, pastimes, foods and I have become a more faith-filled person as I share my own experience of my life and of my Catholic faith.
This past week, as I sat at their graduation award ceremony at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral, I witnessed many achievements of the seniors, two of whom I had become very close to over the last two years of mentoring.
One young lady, Brianna, received a special award called The Dominican Carisma Award. It was given to the senior who best demonstrated the values of the Dominican Sisters as the founding order of Sacred Heart. Brianna will be attending LMU, her dream school, for college.
Another young lady I mentored, Amberly, always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Amberly will be attending Pierce College on a full scholarship. Pierce is a two-year Veterinary preparatory college with a 90% transfer success rate to UC Davis, helping its students secure financial aid to complete their veterinary education at Davis.
I have learned from these bright and passionate young women to be more courageous myself. They have opened my eyes to my ability to maintain joy during struggles. I have learned about new music, pastimes, foods and I have become a more faith-filled person as I share my own experience of my life and of my Catholic faith.
Yesterday I visited a patient at St. John's Hospital to bring Holy Communion. I entered the room, announced my name and the reason for my visit. After a long silence, he said he would like Holy Communion. He lay flat on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling, wrapped in a sheet like a shroud.
While donning gloves, I asked how things were for him today. Another silence, and then, "I had a dream the other night." "Would you like to share it with me?" He blinked, then the floodgates opened. "I was in the dark, standing outside a church, the one on 3rd Street." "Santa Clara Church," I said. "Yeah, that one. I had to hurry inside. Something dark was after me. I was scared. When I got inside, Mary was in front of me, in a large circle of light. She took my fear away." Tears began pooling in his eyes. He chucked the sheet off, uncovering his bare arms and chest, festooned with tattoos. He received Christ in the Eucharist and after another silence, I said, "Your Blessed Mother Mary was protecting you." He nodded his assent. I went on, "Whenever this dark fear pursues you, say aloud, 'Jesus, I trust in You. Mother Mary, lead me to your Son.'" I repeated this and after the third time, his lips began to move with these words.
Honestly, this dream still gives me chills. I, a minister of faith, had been ministered to by this patient.
While donning gloves, I asked how things were for him today. Another silence, and then, "I had a dream the other night." "Would you like to share it with me?" He blinked, then the floodgates opened. "I was in the dark, standing outside a church, the one on 3rd Street." "Santa Clara Church," I said. "Yeah, that one. I had to hurry inside. Something dark was after me. I was scared. When I got inside, Mary was in front of me, in a large circle of light. She took my fear away." Tears began pooling in his eyes. He chucked the sheet off, uncovering his bare arms and chest, festooned with tattoos. He received Christ in the Eucharist and after another silence, I said, "Your Blessed Mother Mary was protecting you." He nodded his assent. I went on, "Whenever this dark fear pursues you, say aloud, 'Jesus, I trust in You. Mother Mary, lead me to your Son.'" I repeated this and after the third time, his lips began to move with these words.
Honestly, this dream still gives me chills. I, a minister of faith, had been ministered to by this patient.
Gary Pontrelli, MaryAnn Bognar and Terry O'Donnell are Ignatians West volunteers in the Spiritual Care Department at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard.
They offer patients a spiritual and friendly encounter that conveys they are not alone in their health struggles. Gary lauds the excellent medical care patients receive in the hospital from doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers, as well as the care that recognizes a patient’s emotional well-being and need for spiritual support. He says their work is to bring comfort and hope to Catholic patients embodying the presence of Christ – the divine Physician.
Mary Ann explained how much they enjoy the therapy dogs, Winnie and Rocket and she marvels at how the dogs offer warmth and unconditional affection many patients need while in the hospital. As Terry explains, “The presence of the dogs often helps patients momentarily forget their troubles. These furry friends provide a level of comfort that transcends what humans can offer.”
They offer patients a spiritual and friendly encounter that conveys they are not alone in their health struggles. Gary lauds the excellent medical care patients receive in the hospital from doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers, as well as the care that recognizes a patient’s emotional well-being and need for spiritual support. He says their work is to bring comfort and hope to Catholic patients embodying the presence of Christ – the divine Physician.
Mary Ann explained how much they enjoy the therapy dogs, Winnie and Rocket and she marvels at how the dogs offer warmth and unconditional affection many patients need while in the hospital. As Terry explains, “The presence of the dogs often helps patients momentarily forget their troubles. These furry friends provide a level of comfort that transcends what humans can offer.”
Ariel and Rowena Dee-Lopez, and Jim Rutkowski are Ignatian volunteers at St. Elisabeth of Hungary Church in Van Nuys. They serve at the parish Service Center, a nonprofit Catholic organization offering “charitable services to needy members of the community without discrimination as to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, or sex of any person.”
The Service Center is operated entirely by volunteers like Ariel, Rowena and Jim. Their tireless efforts provide assistance and loving care to individuals and families needing food, clothing, and other necessities.
The Center is located in a three-bedroom house that has been converted to store and distribute food, clothing, and toys. On Tuesdays, volunteers begin work as early as 6:00 AM to prepare food for pick-up. Families start arriving by 7:30 and wait in line until the doors open at 9:00 AM after one of the parish priests leads everyone in prayer.
Volunteers prepare and package hot meals for unhoused people on Monday and Wednesday. They begin at 9:00 a.m., cutting meat and vegetables from the pantry in the Service Center. By the time they are done, 180 meals are ready for distribution to homeless encampments, and a clean-up crew of volunteers arrives to ensure everything is ready for the next round of food preparation and distribution.
Arial, Rowen and Jim share their amazement at how the work flows and how they are grateful to be part of the Service Center.
The Service Center is operated entirely by volunteers like Ariel, Rowena and Jim. Their tireless efforts provide assistance and loving care to individuals and families needing food, clothing, and other necessities.
The Center is located in a three-bedroom house that has been converted to store and distribute food, clothing, and toys. On Tuesdays, volunteers begin work as early as 6:00 AM to prepare food for pick-up. Families start arriving by 7:30 and wait in line until the doors open at 9:00 AM after one of the parish priests leads everyone in prayer.
Volunteers prepare and package hot meals for unhoused people on Monday and Wednesday. They begin at 9:00 a.m., cutting meat and vegetables from the pantry in the Service Center. By the time they are done, 180 meals are ready for distribution to homeless encampments, and a clean-up crew of volunteers arrives to ensure everything is ready for the next round of food preparation and distribution.
Arial, Rowen and Jim share their amazement at how the work flows and how they are grateful to be part of the Service Center.
Ignatians West volunteers Laurie Sayeg helped prepare the convent at Holy Redeemer for the young women of the St. Joseph the Worker program. Sr. Julie Fertsch CSJ, in the foreground, is the program's current director.
The young women of the St Joseph the Worker program are passionate about social change and personal transformation. They give a year of service, living in community and working in various non-profit agencies.
The connection between these young women and the Ignatian volunteers is a beautiful example of intergenerational collaboration, providing a valuable opportunity for both the young and the older to learn from each other.
The young women of the St Joseph the Worker program are passionate about social change and personal transformation. They give a year of service, living in community and working in various non-profit agencies.
The connection between these young women and the Ignatian volunteers is a beautiful example of intergenerational collaboration, providing a valuable opportunity for both the young and the older to learn from each other.