Holy Cross Associates provide program for year-long service
By LAURA SELLINGER
News Writer
Eye-opening. Thought-provoking. A truly spiritual experience.
These are among the terms used to describe Holy Cross Associates, a post-graduate service program sponsored by the Congregation of the Holy Cross at sites throughout the United States and in Chile.
Holy Cross Associates offer participants the chance to incorporate their Christian faith through community living, prayer and a simple lifestyle of service to the poor.
"The goal of the program is to expose people to service, and be among those who have marginalized options in life. Through the experience, participants not only discover some of their own gifts but are also motivated to continue living an intentional life of serving others in the context of faith," said John Pinter, director of Holy Cross Associates.
Begun in 1978, the program includes one-year domestic service projects and two-year international programs. Current sites include Phoenix; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Brockton, Mass.; Portland, Ore.; Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; and Santiago and Pocuro, both in Chile.
Throughout the years, associates have been involved in education, homeless services, domestic violence services, HIV/AIDS services, family programs and parish ministry. Participants not only assist others, but are also deeply touched by their experiences.
Andrew Noethe, a 1998 graduate and currently an assistant director of Holy Cross Associates, recently served as a teacher for one year at St. John Vianney parish in Phoenix.
"Personally, it really opened my eyes to experiences I might not have always had," he said.
At the same time, volunteers can receive placements in Chile, another project which allows associates to serve the poor and grow in faith. David Atwood, '97 Notre Dame graduate, worked with the people in Pocuro, the rural suburbs in Chile.
"It was a difficult decision to leave the U.S.," he said, "but looking back at Notre Dame, you realize what a gift it is when you go to a poorer country. It was the best decision I made in my life. It made me rethink who I am and what I believe in. I am very grateful for the experience."
AmeriCorps South Bend, which is coordinated by Holy Cross Associates, also offers part-time and full-time placements in a variety of local non-profit organizations around South Bend.
"The objective of AmeriCorps South Bend is to assist men, women and children with acquiring access to human services at critical points in their lives. Although Holy Cross Associates has a faith element, AmeriCorps volunteers ultimately evolve spiritually also because service work is based upon faith," said Bertha Baker, assistant coordinator of AmeriCorps South Bend.
Baker coordinates AmeriCorps activities and recently completed two years of service at Dismas House, a residential program for former prisoners and college students.
Much more than a service program, AmeriCorps is a movement to unite volunteers, who make a difference in the lives of those they assist. Many of the placements can accommodate a student's schedule and provide both a living allowance and an Education Award from AmeriCorps. Used for current expense or after graduation to reduce loans, the Education Award ranges from $2,362 for part-time work to $4,725 for full-time work.
Recent college graduates may apply for Holy Cross Associate positions in which everything is provided and covered. No prior service experience is necessary; participants simply must have a college education.
Applications for one-year domestic placements will be accepted on a rolling basis until March 22, 2000. Volunteers can also serve a two-year program in Chile. However, that application deadline already passed.
According to Pinter, "It is a great program and offers many opportunities to help others and grow in faith. If any student feels a call to service, it would be worthwhile to check it out."
Holy Cross Associates is also sponsoring a "Day of Reflection" for all current and returned volunteers in the area. Open to all former volunteers who have served in the U.S. and overseas, the meeting will take place on Feb. 12 at Moreau Seminary from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information about future meetings, please contact Holy Cross Associates at 219-631-5521 or e-mail at http://www.nd.edu/~hcassoc/.
All News Stories for Thursday, February 3, 2000
