Loving Service

For the past semester, I have been given the opportunity to volunteer at the Br. David Darst Center. I have truly experienced the power of love inside the walls of this wonderful place. During my many trips to the Darst Center, I have seen love in action in so many various ways. Each one of the members of the Darst Center Staff has an extreme passion for serving others. Seeing the love and care they put into their work inspired me.

The Darst Center has shown me how to incorporate love into my service. Never in my life have I actually enjoyed folding laundry. When I learned that all the laundry at the Darst Center had to be folded in a perfect specific way, I was worried it was going to be a super tedious semester of folding laundry in an intricate way. However, all my preconceptions were shattered when Emily Redfern, one of the long-term Lasallian volunteers, explained why we take so much time into making sure the laundry is perfect. She told me it’s a way to show the retreatants that they are loved and cared about. I’ve been able to apply this concept that Emily taught me to all parts of my life. Taking the extra time and work in my service to make sure things are perfect is an excellent way to put my love into action.

If you were to tell me six months ago that I could create change in my community by cleaning bathrooms, moving planters, or raking leaves, I’d say your absolutely crazy! However in my reflecting, I discovered if the Darst Center had to hire professional cleaners, landscapers, and a laundry service then they wouldn’t have any money in the budget to do the amazing work their mission stands for. When I reflect on my service by doing those things I was being an agent of change. Volunteering at the Darst Center has taught me I don’t have to do something crazy big to create change. I know all the seemingly small things that I did helped propel the Darst Center mission of creating change in a big way.

Volunteering at the Darst Center has been one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had. When I reflect on my experience volunteering, a Mother Teresa quote comes to mind of doing “small things with great love”. The Darst Center and the people I worked with have taught me how to live that quote out.

Going to the Darst center was the highlight of my day. Every day at the Darst Center was a “Darst Day”, which was a phrase we created to express our excitement of volunteering. I am forever grateful for the many warm memories and heartfelt lessons I have learned at the Br. David Darst Center.

Edward (Eddie) McCarthy

St. Ignatius College Prep - Class of 2018