Current Volunteers

CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
Welcome! We hope to be a resource for you - helping build community, enhancing personal growth, and fostering spiritual development. Please take a look at the resources we have to offer your volunteer community during this special time in your lives. When you near the end of your term of service, check our resources for former volunteers!

Shared Visions
Spirituality and your volunteer experience
This year's four issues of Shared Visions will follow the cycle of the volunteer experience, utilizing the ideas of contemporary spiritual writers. Each theme is designed to help you survive and thrive throughout your year of service.

This issue highlights "Lent: A Time to Reflect On and Prioritize your Volunteer Experiences." Click here to read more!

Add yourself to the mailing list to receive Shared Visions in your mailbox!

Share Your Experience
Are you interested in sharing your volunteer experience with other current volunteers? Do you have great stories, suggestions, or ideas as to how to make the best of the volunteer experience? Click here to suggest a topic for an upcoming issue of Shared Visions.

Resources in Your Area
Wondering what former and current volunteers are up to in your neck of the woods? Have a great resource to share with others? The Pallotti Center has compiled a list of monthly former volunteer gatherings, parishes where formers attend, retreat opportunities, peace and justice organizations, volunteer opportunities, and other valuable resources.

Looking to Deepen Your Spiritual Life?
Click here to learn about spiritual direction and opportunities to access this valuable resource!

Volunteer Programs that Offer Graduate Degrees
Interested in joining a volunteer program and getting a degree in the process? Click here to see a list of programs that offer graduate degrees while you serve with them.

Featured Quote:

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers. Thich Nhat Hanh

Social Justice Highlight

April 22nd is Earth Day

Take a few moments to reflect this day on our Mother Earth and the ways in which we care for her.

· How do my own consumption and waste patterns help or hurt the Earth?

· How are others affected by my actions?

· How much waste do I create? Where does it go?

· How educated am I about the issues affecting the environment and our human relationship to the Earth? How does my faith bear upon these issues?

· What does Catholic Social Teaching have to say about caring for Mother Earth?

Gather with your community to reflect, pray and discuss together on this celebration of Earth Day.

Some websites to learn more about Earth Day include:
www.earthday.net
www.worldwildlife.org/earthday
www.earthcharter.org

A Catholic perspective on Earth day:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Francis/earthday.asp

Ways you can help:
www.heifer.org
www.rainforestalliance.org

Activity of the Week
Have you run out of activities to use for your community nights? Well, the Pallotti Center has tons of ideas for community activities. Each week, we post an activity of the week.

This week's activity: What's the Truth?.

Over 100 activities for your volunteer community. Click here to reach our Activity of the Week Archives.

Do you have a fun game or activity that would improve the lives of volunteers living in community? Submit your idea for an activity of the week!

Recipe of the Week
Need a tasty recipe for your community? This week check out our Citrus Salad. Check back soon for another great recipe.

Check out our Recipe Box to find terrific recipes submitted by volunteers and missioners around the world!

Are you interested in sharing your favorite recipe with volunteers around the world? Submit your recipe idea here.

Suggested Readings for volunteers and missioners. Click here to see this month's featured books.