A life of Service

An American college student discerns God’s calling and gives back by volunteering in the Columban Catholic Social Justice Ministry in Washington DC.

People have always asked me what I want to be when I ‘grow up’. At age 10, I wanted to be a fashion designer; by 13, the first female president of the United States. I have dreamt of being everything from a high school English teacher to a Peace Corps volunteer. Now when people ask me what I want to be, I just smile, shrug my shoulders, and tell them that I don’t know. And I honestly don’t.

But, I have an idea. My parents have instilled in me the importance of helping others, and I have learned from their example about our duty as citizens of the world to give back to our families and communities. We have the responsibility and capability to make a positive, significant difference in our world.

As such, I have been involved in community service organizations in high school and college, but I never knew how to turn this experience into a lifelong career.

As a high school senior, I read this quote from John Glavin, an English professor at Georgetown University: ‘It’s a very old Jesuit ideal that people are in the world to help save it.’ In that moment I realized that no matter how great it would be to own a smoothie shop on a Caribbean island – my life ambition at the time – I could best live my life working in service to others.(Editor’s note: ‘Smoothies’ are made from non-fat yogurt, real fruit juice, frozen and fresh fruits, berries and ice. A first-cousin of halo-halo?)

I decided to study international relations and literature at American University, and I wanted to gain as much experience as possible before graduation. Attending college in Washington DC gave me the opportunity to work for international and nonprofit service organizations.

In 2007 I was an intern with the Columban Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) office, an amazing experience in which I learned much about my career ambitions and my role in the Catholic Church and the international community.

As a young adult who grew up in the Church and attended Catholic schools, I have always been interested in the Church’s presence in international affairs and social concern and justice. My internship with the Columbans has taught me about all the work done by Religious and lay members of the Church for the advancement of all people. I saw firsthand how principles of equality, integrity and God’s love are put into practice in the international community.

Increased Global Awareness & Concern
The JPIC Office strives for justice in social concerns, such as migration, water rights, economic inequity and worker’s rights. As an intern, I researched the use of Latin American and Asian mercenaries in the Middle East, made phone calls to legislators in opposition to the US – Peru Free Trade Agreement, and wrote an ‘action alert’ concerning emergency governmental rule in Pakistan, among other tasks.

My work increased my awareness of global concern and taught me how members of religious communities and the Church can effectively work together with laity and organizations to tackle pressing global issues.

My religion teachers would tell me that God has called me in a certain direction and that I need to discern my vocation and follow its path. This impressive statement has always intimidated me. I decided a long time ago that this task of ‘discerning my call’ was too difficult and that I would wait for God to appear to me and say, ‘Caitlin, you are meant to be a [fill in the blank], and this will make Me very, very happy’.

When God did not come to me, I became quite concerned. I wondered if God actually was calling me down any path, if there was something I was meant to do and if it involved my faith or its principles.

Through my work with the Columbans, however, I learned that I made the right decision two years ago when I chose to work in the service of others. I discovered this calling is related to my faith and membership in Jesus Christ’s Church. I have seen how Columban employees and members actively use their faith and work to create a better world in which God’s love and mercy for all are evident.

These dedicated people have taught me that I can live my faith – that I can combine all of those religion class lessons and my professional aspirations. And, most importantly, I learned that I am meant, in my own way, to live a life of service and love.

You may contact Caitlin at cc7868a@american.edu . She is from Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania, USA, and is studying at American University in Washington DC. http://www.columban.org/content/view/69/52/ is the webpage of the JPIC Office of the Columbans in the USA.