04/21/2020
Katherine Giorgio, FCV 11 volunteer shared this in our February newsletter. It is fun to look at things again and see the growth and development of the volunteers.
Power to choose my next moves
By Katherine Giorgio, FCV11
Our community attended the St. Cloud State University Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program this morning. It included singing, recognizing young artists, a prayer, recognizing key community members and speakers. The keynote speaker was Valerie Jarrett, former President Obama’s senior advisor. Needless to say, she provided the audience with plenty of good food for thought.
One of Ms. Jarrett’s main points was “share your story.” She told the story of interviewing 27-year-old Michelle Obama, which is where her relationship with the couple began. She was struck by her vulnerability with sharing her personal story rather than simply pointing out her A group of us at the MLK breakfast credentials for the job. I like to think of myself as a fairly open person, but it did make me think about what I would say if I shared my story in that situation. It is hard for me to look past the love and, frankly, privilege I have had in my life. What part of my story is a product of my environment and what part of it comes from me? In the coming weeks I will certainly be spending some time thinking about what accomplishments I am truly proud of and what mistakes have redirected my path for the better. Her message is also a good reminder that I am my greatest asset, and showing my personality and values is okay when I am visiting graduate schools that I hope to attend in the fall.
After reflecting on my past, I ask myself, “What do I want my story to be going forward?” Ms. Jarrett also told us about the time in her life when she decided to leave a comfortable job for something she was passionate about. Right now I clearly sense that I have the power to choose the next big moves in my story, particularly with my education and relationships. I know this freedom to choose is a huge gift that doesn’t come easily for everyone at each stage of life, however, it is also overwhelming at times. There is so much that needs to be done in the world...where do I start? Pat and I recently watched the movie Romero which is about a bishop, now a canonized saint, who was dedicated to protecting the lives of the poor and was martyred in El Salvador in 1980. It was quite an emotional experience for me, and I am grateful for the quiet time and space built into my weekly routine to be able to continue letting it sink in.
Oscar Romero was faced with many choices and responsibilities. I want to choose love and truth with courage the same way that he did. That will most likely come in the small events and relationships in my life rather than something as dramatic as the politics in El Salvador in the 70s and 80s. But I have to remind myself that the small acts of love are just as important as the big ones when it comes to making a difference.
Today also happens to be my 5-month anniversary of being a Franciscan Community Volunteer, and it is (nearly, if not exactly) the half-way point of the program. I have started to notice the little ways that “Franciscanism” has sunk in on a deeper level. Living in community and working at my service site continue to both challenge me to grow and keep me grounded. There is certainly plenty to think about in this season!
