These generous young people are about to begin a year of service; living, working and praying with the Passionist Community in Mandeville, Jamaica.

Please pray for them and if you can, make a donation to help support them during their volunteer year.

Natalie Crawley: Born and raised in Gambrills, MD; 2011 graduate, Kings College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, B.S. in Biology, with Minors in Forensic Studies and Neuroscience.  Natalie has participated in a rich variety of Volunteer experiences, completing over 350 hours of service while at Kings.  Her sophomore year service trip to Monterey, Mexico, especially motivated her for long-term service.  She described the people there as the poorest and happiest she had ever met, people with a phenomenal sense of pride and community.  Natalie has a very diverse interest in what she reads as hobby—for example culture and science.  She feels strongly drawn to serve in a faith-based program, “I have noticed that those involved in faith-based service are there because they truly want to be and not simply to look good on a resume; their compassion shows in how they interact.  I hope to continue the works of those that have gone before me to the site while using my own gifts to make improvements so that those who come after me can continue PVI’s mission.

 

Sean Clores: Was raised on Long Island, in Levittown and Huntington, New York; Graduated from Fairfield University 2010, B.A. in Communications, Minor in English.   Sean is extending his service for a second year.  His service in Black River, JA, this past year proved invaluable for the people, for the parish and for Sean.  He looks forward enthusiastically to build upon inroads made this year.  He was able to give full vent to his love of sports, especially basketball, as he worked to develop a team at Black River High School where organized athletics struggles with the greatest difficulty.  Sean also worked closely with Fr. Raymond, the Pastor, in developing more parish involvement. When Sean came to PVI he was excited for what this experience, for all that it had to offer him in terms of becoming a better person.  Reflecting on his year at Black River, he commented, “I don’t have a definitive role. I spend time with the kids as much as I can. The best thing about the school is that they understand my role as a PVI. Home visits have been a great way for me to stay in touch with Church members and to connect with poor and suffering of the area. The biggest strength of my PVI service in Black River is the freedom I’ve had to discover and to learn. The church is small but has good members that are always happy to see me.”

 

Kathryn Keane: Native of Wayland, MA; ’11 Graduate, Fairfield University; B.A. in International Studies and Spanish; Minors in Politics and Latin American And Caribbean Studies.  For her spring semester, 2010, Kathryn studied at the University of Central America, Managua, Nicaragua.   There she also volunteered in shelters for children at risk.  She has made three service trips to Kingston, JA, as part of Fairfield’s Ignatian Solidarity Corps.  Enjoys cooking and considers art and dance as her preferred hobby interests.  The community aspects and faith-sharing opportunities draw Katherine to PVI.  “I want to experience a faith-based program where I can share my faith with others and explore new ideas about spirituality.  I have come to recognize the power of living in solidarity with the poor and accompanying them a long a part of their journey.”

 

Brendan O’Leary: Born in Oceanside, CA, and raised in Fredericksburg, VA.  A 2010 Graduate, University of New Mexico, B.A. in Anthropology and American Studies.   Brendan is extending his PVI service commitment of 2010-11 for a second year.  He pioneered with remarkable successful as the chaplain to the students at the Catholic College of Mandeville, leading chapel services each Monday and assisting students in a variety of ways, especially tutoring.  Additionally, he pioneered very creatively in the youth retreat ministry at Mount Calvary Passionist Retreat Center in Mandeville.  Brendan also managed time for regular visits to the Missionaries of Charity nursing home in Balaclava.  Commenting on his motives for extending PVI service for another year, Brendan states, “To echo one of my fellow PVI Volunteers, I feel that neither Jamaica nor PVI are done with me yet!  By staying a second year I would hope to give some stability to the PVI program in its second year at the Mandeville site.  Originally I cited the Greatest Commandment “to love God and to love one another” as a primary motive for service.  I can say now that I have experienced and practiced this Commandment in ways I never expected.”

 

Danielle Turcotte: Grew up in North Smithfield, RI; 2011 Graduate, Providence College, B.A. in Political Science, Minor in Economics.  Pursued particular interest in Developmental Economics and International Issues both at Providence College and at Charles University, Prague, CZ where she studied in the fall of 2009.  Served as editor of “Politicus,” Providence College’s Political Science Department Newspaper.  Danielle maintains a keen interest in personally active sports like running, hiking and kayaking.  Served as Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics of Rhode Island.  Danielle wants to serve in part for what she herself has been given, “I feel blessed to have had all that I grew up with, and I recognize the need present throughout the world.  I would like to give back, to help those who have not had the opportunities.  In high school I drew the connection between serving my community and my faith that has always been a part of my life.  I see PVI as an excellent opportunity to combine them, to serve the world while growing in my faith.”

 

Please consider a donation to help support Passionist Volunteers International in their ministry to people living in poverty: Please make checks payable to PASSIONIST MISSIONARIES.

Passionist Missionaries Inc.
526 Monastery Place
Union City NJ 07087-3398
Tel: 888/806-6606
E-mail: AGardiner@cpprov.org

Donate on-line by clicking the button below.
The Donate Now button will redirect you to Caring Habits, Inc. (CHI) which is the credit card processing company for The Passionist Missionaries website. Choose Passionist Volunteers International from the drop-down menu.

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