This year two of our parishioners spent two weeks working with the Passionist Volunteers in Wyoming County, West Virginia. The volunteers were part of a larger group from all over the country, and the world. Wyoming County is located in the extreme southwest part of the state, and is primarily a coal mining and timbering area. Wyoming county has a population of about 20,000 people, with about 100 Catholics. Two churches and one priest provide the Catholic community with the sacraments, and help to maintain their faith life.
Click here for additional information on the Passionist Volunteers.
The first event any volunteer has is a commissioning by the Passionist Volunteer community. The person is anointed with oil, and the community prays the following prayer over the volunteer:Spirit of holy Wisdom and saving Power by your annointing may the hands and heart of ______be strengthened for the work that lies ahead, may she/he be compassionate to human need, tender and strong in her/his caring, genuine in friendship, and faithful to her/his commitment.
Of course, its not all work. Since we were there during the July Forth holiday, the group assembled in the school parking lot, and set off a few simple fireworks. Later, we all drove to Oceania for a professional display. Not a bad start to the week.
Well, they say that if you stick with your job long enough, you will rise to the top. And here is proof of that. James is on the roof triming excess foam that was installed along with a new roof a week earlier. The foam doesn't look too good, so it was his job to trim to the outline of the roof. Hot and slightly dangerous, since there was no way to stop if he ever started to slide down.
The area food bank is located in the town of Mullins, and provides food and clothing for those area residents who need them. About 800 families receive some form of help from the food bank each month. Here one of our younger volunteers is helping to organize the food to make the distribution run as smoothly as possible.
Looks like its party time again. Becki celebrated her birthday during her stay in West Virginia, quite a way from her home in England. But the group made her feel right at home.
Dinner is always a community event, with everyone seated at several long tables set up in the school hall. Every night a different group of volunteers prepares the evening meal, and a different group cleans up. Always a lot of variety for the meals, always lots of good food.
In addition to the repair of homes the Volunteers arranged for a recreation camp for the local kids to join and have a good time. Here the camp is in full swing, and everyone is having a grand time.
Looks like all the tongue depressers are here. So, I guess that the object would be to...to...Have Fun!!
One of the local recreation departments joins us for part of the day. First you have to get the kids lined up. After that, its easy.
Here's the group that was there for the first week, with the Glen Fork Tiger mascot as a background. Amazing how much work a small group like this can do. Just dedication, and the love of neighbor is all it takes. Plus a lot of planning, transporting, purchasing, hammering, nailing, digging...
This is one of the spots that was worked on. There was no front steps, and the back steps were not much better. So the object is to build a small deck and stairs in the front, and once that's done, to build a small landing and steps in the rear. This was known as the perpetual porch project, because it just never seemed to end. One small obstacle after another slowed progress to a crawl, but both parts were finished, and now there is another happy family in Glen Rogers.
Let's see...first we build the frame, then we attach the frame to the supports, then we attach the frame to the house, then the deck, then the steps....and boy is it hot! No shade for these folks all week.
Here we see Becki and James trying to look cool, or at least get cool. Both from England, they came over to visit their aunt, a Passionist Volunteer. And the next thing they knew, they were in West Virginia. I imagine they will have some stories to tell when they get back home. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that we had to add the lattice to the deck, too.
West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful says the license plates. And the state never fails to amaze. What beautiful scenery everywhere. Mountains that climb straight up from the river, gorges that plunge down out of sight. Beautiful. This is taken at Twin Falls State Park.
This was taken at Twin Falls, also. We had decided to follow the park naturalist on a hike to the two falls that the park in named for. At the exact middle of the hike, the heavens opened up, and it poured rain. As an added feature, there was also plenty of thunder and lightening. Glad we made it out safe, if slightly drenched.
The Passionist Volunteers have adopted a large local family, and arrange a party at their house each year. Here volunteer Lisa is getting things started with the kids.
This picture of Lisa was taken by one of the kids in the house, which might explain the slightly off center look that it has. But is also shows how happy Lisa is doing this work.
This group defines dedication. Most Passionist Volunteers sign up for a two week stay to help out. Some few spend the summer working the program. These folks have spent two years as full time Passionist Volunteers in Wyoming County. And one of them (Bruce, on the right) will be spending another year on the island of Jamaca working with the Passionist International Volunteers.
Carnival, anyone. There were several donations of toys, and other children's gifts given to the Volunteers. They decided to arrange a carnival as a means of giving the toys to deserving kids. So Becki and Ashley decided to become clowns, others ran games, and some others just ran.
Bruce, for example, decided that just running was a great way to spend the day. Especially since all the kids at this area had water balloons, and were determined to get him wet. Enough made contact to keep everything cool.
Is there anyone who doesn't like clowns? Probably not. And certainly not this young lady. Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.
Another outdoor project involved painting and putting gutters on this home. With enough willing hands, these projects are quickly finished.
And here is part of the work crew now. Let's see now. Where is that paint? Who's in charge? Where is the water? Is it lunch yet?
Speaking about willing hands, here is our youngest volunteer hard at work. He celebrated his birthday while he was working with the volunteers. In fact, he has celebrated all his birthdays while he was volunteering with the Passionists. A record not likely to be passed any time soon. Oh...this year, he celebrated birthday # 5.
Lots of progress on the painting and gutter work. This job is nearly done. But, unfortunately, there are plenty more to keep everyone busy for the summer, and many more summers to come.
Once again, the work crew from the second week in Wyoming County. More willing hands from all over the U.S., and beyond. Wonderful people who are willing to go that extra mile to bring the Compassion of Jesus to their brothers and sisters in need.
And speaking of going the extra mile... Rose (Center) runs the local food bank. She makes sure that no one is allowed to go without food or clothing. And always a smile for everyone, and boy, can she remember names. Keeping with the work done here at Sacred Heart, Rose was presented with a prayer shawl by the group. The night before, at evening reflection, the volunteers blessed the shawl, and the person to receive it. But really, Rose is a blessing herself, to all those around her.