Living In Community

What was one of the best things about living in community with other volunteers?  What was one of the worst things about living in community? 

Anita Saira Morawski, Redeemer Ministry Corps, Philadelphia, PA

Being surrounded by people of my age with similar values.  Even though we all had different backgrounds, different interests, and even different ways of living out our values, it was good to be able to share our lives with one another in a meaningful way.  At the same time, I had my own room as a refuge when I needed a healthy dose of solitude.

Coming from someone who tends to be sort of particular about housekeeping... getting people to hold up their end of the bargain when it comes to chores.

Misha Simmonds, Jesuit Volunteers International, Kathmandu, Nepal

Constantly being challenged and reminded of the four JV values: Living Simply, Doing Justice, Witnessing Faith, Building Community.

Among the members of our group there was a varied level to commitment to the values, which made them difficult to live out as a community.  Without immediate support from the DC office, which was so far away, many of the values were left to wide ranges of interpretation.  Some people spent a lot of money at home, others did not participate in spirituality nights or going to church, and others would rather do their own thing than be with the group.  Issues of cleanliness and community responsibilities were also a challenge.

Ryan Downs, Jesuit Volunteer Corps-Southwest, Sacramento, CA

Gaining the kinds of friend that I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life.  Sharing a year of my life with my community and theirs with mine.  Having fun together.  Gaining memories that will last a lifetime.  Did I say having fun together?

I wouldn't say "worst" things, but it did take some adjusting to living with 7 other people.  Many times I just wanted to be alone and that was not possible.  But it certainly was not a bad thing, just something that I had to adjust to, that's all.

Christina Lim, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Bethel, AK

Knowing that each person made a commitment to risk change, growth and trust in what God has in store for each individual and the community as a whole.  Also, on a personal level, I am a fairly private person who tends to guard her living space.  Living in community afforded me the wonderful opportunity to see the joy of preparing meals and participating in community and spirituality nights.  The worst... having other people see you vulnerabilities and struggles.

Massimo Scano, L'Arche, Rome, Italy

Living all day in contact with other people, I discovered their shortcomings and, sigh!, my own. The necessity to handle this obligated me to know myself more and more deeply. This was painful but also very good for my personal growth.

Sometimes I felt like I had no longer the right to think to myself- too many things to do for others, too many communal activities. It became exhausting.