Student moved by volunteering

(Editor's note: The Siena College/Albany Medical College Program in Science, Humanities and Medicine attracts students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving others. A component to the program is a "summer of service" in under-served areas of the world. Jennifer Trachsler of Latham volunteered at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. This is her report about that experience.)

The Franciscan community at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia is made up of friars, nuns, laywomen and Franciscan Volunteers. They are a dedicated, compassionate group of people.

I was amazed at how smoothly things went every day -- despite the complexities of running a soup kitchen. The activities included daily Mass, breakfast and dinner for the needy, and evening prayer. At meals, I handled tickets/organization in the yard, co-coordinated meals, seated guests and bussed tables. I also worked at the thrift store and the Thea Women's Center, named for the late Sister Thea Bowman.

Life in the Kensington section of Philly is worlds away from life in my hometown of Latham. It was a totally new experience to talk with alcoholics, drug addicts and prostitutes. But those are not the only people in Kensington. I also saw families, couples and the elderly struggling to get by.

How often do we pass people on the street and look past their needs, pain or grief? Is it out of genuine concern or just formality that we ask: "How are you doing today?" What do you see when you look into the faces of those people? I never saw anything. Like so many people, I always walked with my eyes on the ground.

If we get caught up in the seemingly endless complications of our own lives, we tend to overlook the needs of those around us. We forget, or lack the time and energy to look into the eyes of those around us. But if "the eyes are the windows to the soul," then they must also be a way for the soul to see back out. What we see through our eyes must, in turn, touch our soul. If our eyes are truly open, we will see what is around us, and our souls will be able to experience life around us.

During my stay at St. Francis Inn, I had time to watch those around me. I had a chance to get to know the pain and grief of so many people. I had the privilege of sharing in some of the triumphs and joy of lives beyond my own.

There is a sign posted on the inside of the Inn door. Although it looks old and has been taped up a few times, it's a great reminder: "Smile, Jesus is at the door." That was always enough to snap me back into the reality of what I came to do: to serve.

I am aware of the incredible effort it will take to be able to continue to see the needs around me as I return to my own busy life. I pray that the face of Jesus will continue to show in the faces of all those around me, especially in those who are suffering. I pray not only for vision to see the suffering but also for the strength, compassion and knowledge to do something about it.

I have learned the need to pray more for discomfort rather than for comfort and for the grace to open my eyes to the need for change rather than simply for peace. Peace will not come without change, and change will not come without the observation of injustices that need to be changed.

I am grateful to the community at the Inn that helped not only to open my eyes to the needs of those around me, but also to open my heart and my mind to the necessity of working for the needs of those in need of a little support, a little encouragement and a lot of love.

(8/21/03) [[In-content Ad]]