Ignatian Volunteer Corps - Albany

01/12/2026

You are welcome to learn more about the life of Maryknoll Sister Maura Clark at the Irish American Heritage Museum on Monday, January 12.

09/09/2025

01/30/2025

We are pleased to again host a Lenten evening of song and ½ day retreat with composer Dan Schutte on March 28 & 29!

07/30/2024

Hold the date - Sept 26-28 for "Singing the Liturgy, Renewing the Call," a conference hosted by the Albany chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM).
Who is this conference for? Music directors, cantors, choir members, instrumentalists, pianists, organists, ensemble members, liturgy team members, pastors, priests, PLD’s, PLC’s, and anyone actively connected to music ministry. All Are Welcome!
For more information:

07/29/2024

Got Peace and Justice?
Join us for a virtual program August 8, 6:30PM EST, featuring American activist and writer Frida Berrigan, hosted by IVC's Philadelphia/South Jersey region. The oldest daughter of Philip Berrigan and Elizabeth McAlister, Frida learned early from the "Plowshares" movement how every voice can make a difference. Her own journey of advocacy and urban farming continues her parents' legacy in the realm of nonviolent action for a more just and peaceful world. For more information and tickets:
https://ivcusa.org/ivc-offices/welcome-to-ivc-philadelphia-south-jersey/frida-berrigan/

07/24/2024

Are you a graduate of a Jesuit college and desire to join with others to serve in the Capital District? Considering being a part of IVC Albany! For more information, www.ivcusa.org/Albany

Learn how you can make a difference through part time meaningful volunteer service in retirement.

07/08/2024

With One Foot Raised ... Meet one of our volunteers…
Dick Shirey has been serving as an Ignatian Volunteer Corps member since IVC Albany's inception in 2019. Dick offers his reflection about the path that lead to his service with Jesuit Worldwide Learning:
"Three score and a couple months ago, I graduated with an Economics degree from St. Vincent College in my hometown of Latrobe, PA. Little did I know what my future would look like, but I was ready for an adventure that would ultimately lead me to be working as a Ignatian volunteer sixty years later.
"Back then, my idealism was sparked by the newly created institution of the Peace Corps. I served as a teacher in Zamboanga City on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. I became friends with Fr. Oscar Millar, S.J. who invited me to go with him to visit outlying towns and villages. Everywhere, the Philippine people welcomed us with kindness and generosity. There was a warm inclusiveness that showed through the simple, often difficult circumstances of their lives. There was beauty in their music, in their joyful celebrations and in the basic social ethic that no one is left out, embarrassed or humiliated.
"On one trip, Fr. Millar and I visited a Dole pineapple plantation. The American compound seemed like a fortress with its iron gate, its armed security guard, cinderblock walls topped with broken-bottle glass and barbed wire. There I was welcomed by my fellow Americans and given a tour by the American manager of the plantation. He showed me the worker housing, the health clinic, the basketball court, and packing plant and the small cargo ship full of canned pineapple. I asked him why we could not buy this canned pineapple in Zamboanga City where I lived. He told me that all the pineapple was shipped to the US because that is where the money is.
"I then asked him why he was wearing a gun. Without hesitation, he said: “Well, you know, sometimes you have to show the natives who is boss!” I was dumbfounded by those words, for I had grown to love the Philippine people.
"From that moment on, my life’s journey put me on a path to more complete understanding of the dynamics of the legacy of colonialism. I embraced the notion in Catholic Social teaching that the true measure of the health of an economy is how it treats the poorest of the poor, always teaching from that perspective.
"My current work as an IVC volunteer is with Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL) where my students are residents of refugee camps at locations in Africa, the Middle East and in Asia. Some of the camps date back to the 1990s. Some of my students have been living in the camps for most of their lives.
"The JWL program is a collaborative effort of educational institutions using innovative methodology and technology. The courses are aimed to provide a path for disadvantaged youth of great potential who live in the camps to develop into leaders. The program fosters concern for “our common home” as stated by Pope Francis and it encourages students to work for positive change in their local communities. In essence, to “Think Globally and Work Locally.”
"I am the online facilitator who evaluates their written work and gives them encouragement. They have a site coordinator who helps them access the learning materials and access to computer terminals. Further, the students are encouraged to communicate with each other globally though their posts and comments on each other’s work. They are literally in a global classroom. It is a blessing and a humbling experience for me to work with them."

05/07/2024

With One Foot Raised: Meet one of our Volunteers

Kate Hope lives in Troy, NY and serves as an Ignatian Volunteer Corps member at a local hospital. Below, Kate offers her reflection about her service with IVC:

"It seems like I’ve been an IVC member forever, but it has only been since 2020. My involvement with IVC is now part of my everyday life. Seriously.

"The original reason for joining was because of the Regional Director, Kate Burgess, a former coworker. Where she was leading was where I wanted to be, plus it was an opportunity to expand my spiritual life, so I was in.

"It was in the midst of the Covid Pandemic, so we met monthly via zoom. There weren’t a lot of volunteers at that time, and not everyone could join our laptop gatherings. Every month, we would call into the gathering and get to know each other virtually. While listening to their introductions and listening to their community service placements, I found myself wondering if I could fit in. Everybody was very pleasant, and it was clear that each person wanted to be in a community of like-minded Christians.

"As time went by, I learned more about St. Ignatius and his teachings. I knew very little about him previously and was eager to know about this quiet and holy man.

"Finally, the face masks came off, literally, and our group could see each other in person. What a nice moment to walk into St. Vincent de Paul’s and actually be with my new friends, up close and personal. Each and every member was so nice, and that wasn’t a surprise, given that IVC is an organization which promotes kindness as well as service to others. I was surrounded by people who were talented, mature, and had professional and life experience.

"Every single week, these motivated folks volunteer in food pantries, visit the elderly, work in nonprofit organizations, provide spiritual and career counseling, and the list goes on. I was worried that I might not be able to be as productive.

"I have a health issue, and can no longer drive, so placing me wasn’t easy. Several months flew by while Kate Burgess looked for my niche. And she delivered. I could enter data from home for Catholic Charities. There were eight food drop sites, and specific numbers were crucial for planning and statistical purposes. It felt so good to fulfill my obligation albeit remotely, and I finally felt like part of the IVC Team.

"However, the data entry would ultimately be completed internally, so it was back to the drawing board for Kate. More time went by, and I felt like a freeloader, just showing up for our monthly gatherings, eating banana bread and other goodies, drinking coffee, and then staying for lunch. All the while, however, I was getting to know more wonderful individuals and making some new friends. Even better, my spirituality was deepening. I hadn’t addressed that in quite a while.

"Then, we hit pay dirt. I could simply talk and fulfill my IVC mission at the same time. I never thought my gift of gab could help me like this, but it did.

"I visit patients at a nearby hospital as a Spiritual Care Volunteer. It’s rewarding beyond words, and I am passionate about it. I never know what to expect, which was the same feeling I had back in 2020, and I am a better person now because of IVC."

03/28/2024

Thank you to everyone who joined in the Lenten Evening of Song and the Lenten Retreat with composer Dan Schutte. Everyone who filled St. Vincent de Paul Church on Friday evening sang with their hearts and souls. Saturday morning was a wonderful time of quiet, music, reflections and guided meditations, and small group sharing. Thank you to Dan Schutte for leading us in prayer through music on Friday and Saturday to begin Holy Week.

03/13/2024

For your time of Lent...The beautiful setting of Psalm 139 in composer Dan Schutte's hymn "You Are Near" captures our most intimate connection to the God of Love and Compassion. We sing to God a song all-encompassing of our experience of life: "You have searched my heart," knowing we can never run from His love. We "know you are near, standing always at our side." Come sing to God with us during our Lenten programs with Dan Schutte in Albany, NY, on March 22 & 23. See our Feb 14 posting below for more details.

Watch the lyric video for Catholic artist Dan Schutte’s beautiful setting of Psalm 139: “You Are Near.” Dan Schutte is composer of some of the Church's most ...

03/07/2024

🎶Join us later this month for a soul-stirring journey with renowned liturgical composer and songwriter Dan Shutte, known for "Here I am, Lord," City of God," "You Are Near," and so many other favorite hymns.🎹
✝️Lenten Evening of Song 🕖 Friday, March 22 at 7:00pm
🟣Lenten Retreat 🕤 Saturday, March 23, 9:30am-12:30pm
📍 St. Vincent de Paul Church, 900 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY
🎟 Tickets:
• Lenten Evening of Song: $15
• Lenten Retreat: $15
• Both Events: $25
Secure your spot for an unforgettable experience! 🎫 Visit ivcusa.org/Schutte for more information and to purchase your tickets.

IVC Albany Become a Member of the Corps Lenten Evening of Song & Lenten Retreat with Dan Schutte IVC Albany Companions Circle of Generosity Community Partner Agencies IVC Albany in the news Spiritual Resources Stories from Albany Would you like to serve as an Ignatian Volunteer or be a partner agenc...

03/06/2024

For your time of Lent...As we journey through these 40 days, our desire is to listen to the Word of God as active and present in our lives and our world. In composer Dan Schutte's hymn, "Word of Our God," we glimpse the joy to come - "speak to our hearts of justice and truth," "speak to our hearts of grace and beauty," "speak to our hearts of joy without end." For more encounter with the Word of God, join us during our Lenten programs March 22 & 23 with composer Dan Schutte. See the Feb 14 posting below for details.

Dan Schutte's accessible song for sending forth highlights sharing the Good News with the world. | "Word of Our God" is featured in the 2020 OCP Showcase. Fi...