The Why (Vocation To Love)

Well it seems to me we all have a different definition to “starting life.” Each of them are all different and good in their own way. There are different people to accomplish different tasks in this world with their own gifts. The way I want to start my “post-grad life” is to love in the way I best love.  Through my experiences John Carroll has provided I have learned I best love through serving others and being immersed into a faith-filled and community atmosphere.  It’s where I am most energized and therefore love to my fullest capacity.

When I worked at a mission site last year in Yankton, SD for YouthWorks, I came across a brick that made up a walking path.  It read, “my vocation is love.”  Here I was!…Immersed in service and community, where I felt most alive.  This simple brick described it all.  I am here to love! During last summer I was in the process of discerning whether or not I wanted to do a year of service.  After my experience at YouthWorks and realizing my vocation was to go wherever I could love the best, I decided a year of service is what was in my hand of cards for after graduation.

So this is why I am doing a year of service! So, why Jamaica? I knew when I applied to multiple different service organizations that I wanted to be immersed in a new culture.  Being among different cultures is another source of energy for me.  I have been to Jamaica for service four times throughout college and knew that this was a place I loved.  Finally, to top it off, the Passionist Volunteers International organization put the cherry on top!  They made me feel loved, and cared about my decision and experience almost just as much as I did.  I know I will be in good loving hands throughout the next year. Having that type of support is irreplaceable.  I’m excited to see at the end of my year in Jamaica where I am called to love next.

This post was written by Courtney Radkin who was a Program Staff in Yankton, SD in 2014.