Growth and Gratitude Through Accompaniment
It was early August of 2020. I found myself having a conversation with the Br. David Darst Center Executive Director, Keith Donovan, about being assigned to the center for my year of ministry practicum as part of my theological studies at Catholic Theological Union. When I interviewed with Keith last April, I was excited about possibly ministering with the Darst Center and was elated when I heard the news that I was being assigned there. However, this conversation a few months later brought anxiety. Questions arose about whether I would be able to join the center for this school year.
Putting aside our hesitations, everyone involved agreed to let me be part of the Darst Center. This decision did not come without concerns or questions. There was still a possibility that there would not be much for me to do since there were no in-person retreats and programming, and the virtual programming was in its baby stages. So, as excited as I was about being able to join the center for the school year, I still wondered if it was the right decision. Eight months later, I can thankfully say that it was the right decision. In the midst of a pandemic, a time in which we all have been asked to be socially distanced, I feel that I have created a close relationship with the staff and volunteers of the Darst Center and have had an extraordinarily unique experience for which I would be ever grateful. As Keith and I have said numerous times to each other, the Holy Spirit definitely knows what She is doing!
Even though my ministry has been physically away from the center, it developed into this intimate encounter and moment of accompaniment with the dozens of students and adults that I have had the pleasure to meet in our virtual programming. Being part of this evolution of the Darst Center into a virtual immersion retreat center has been a blessing. A blessing that I doubt I would have had in any other ministry.
The pleasure of accompanying these young people in their journey towards understanding and growing in their knowledge of social justice matters that are affecting our city of Chicago, the United States and the whole world has been a beautiful experience. Being able to bring and share my own experiences and vulnerabilities to these retreats have allowed me to also grow personally, emotionally and spirituality. So, the retreatants and I have accompanied each other, have learned from each other, and have grown together throughout this school year. Personally, I believe that this is what a graced ministry experience is: growing, learning, and accompanying each other.
As you can tell, this year has been a roller coaster of emotions with this ministry. From excited, to sad, to anxiety, to nervous, to thrilled, to graced. To all these emotions, today, I would add grief. As I prepare to finish this school year and with it my ministry at the Darst Center, I feel this sense of not wanting to let go, yet needing to move forward. There are no words that would do justice to how I would describe my time here at the Darst Center. All I can say is that I would forever be grateful for this experience. An experience that has taught me to have a voice and share it with the world. An experience that has allowed me to grow as a minister, an educator, and a preacher. An experience that has allowed me to meet and work alongside some wonderful, beautiful people that make this world a more just world, a world worth living in. An experience that God has used to show me God’s love through people and to guide me on the path God wants me to move forward as I continue this journey as a minister of the Church.
All there is left to say is THANK YOU!!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Br. Javier Rodriguez for joining the staff of the Br. David Darst Center for this past program year. Br. Javier, you are such a gift to us and to the many students and participants you accompanied in our social justice programs. Thank you and blessings on your journey!