Sr. Michele Schroeck, RSM
Carpe Diem for Others
I believe in service. Well, of course, I am the Director of Service Learning! But, the real question is what do I believe and why do I believe in service.
Before I came to Mercyhurst College I worked in a mobile migrant school. I remember frequently visiting Daniela's family in Fremont, OH to relay a communication about school or to address basic needs. They lived in a cabin about the size of my bathroom. The first thing they did was to offer me a chair. Often they would stand, even after a hard day of work bending over to harvest cucumbers. Then, they would give me a soda, while they had nothing themselves. I felt so uncomfortable, but it seemed disrespectful not to accept. We would talk for a few minutes about their family in my broken Spanish or through their efforts to try English. Lastly, I might offer clothes or food, which was graciously accepted. I would leave feeling I received more than I gave.
I believe that service is about relationships. It is a one-on-one connection that is fostered through mentoring that focuses on listening, encouraging, and supporting. There is a mutuality in true service. Although we bring skills and talents to meeting individual and organizational need, we gain experience and develop values and character through service. Often I hear people say, "I didn't do anything! How can we help?" We need to understand the complexity of the issues underlying the needs before we respond. The North American way tends to focus on results. However, relationships are the key.
Indeed, people do service for a variety of reasons including civic responsibility and religious conviction. For me, my faith calls me to follow Jesus, in the gospel. That is what motivates my service. I want to be where Jesus is. And, I find him most in the poor and suffering. Living and being with Jesus, in those I serve, is as equally important as worshipping God in church. Where do you find Jesus?
It is great to clean up a park on a Saturday afternoon. It is better to explore where the trash is coming from and work to stop it before it gets into the water. Service must lead to continuity and systemic change. I believe that it is critical to work for sustainability in service.
Service has always been a part of my life. After graduating from Mercyhurst College in 1988, I gave a year of service as a Mercy Volunteer on the Acoma and Laguna Reservation. It changed me so much that I decided to give a life of service as a Sister of Mercy. I am grateful for all the ways that service experiences have influenced my values and beliefs and hope that you will incorporate the value of service into your life and work.
About Sr. Michele Schroeck
Sr. Michele Schroeck is the Director of Service Learning at Mercyhurst College. She graduated from Mercyhurst in 1988 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and again in 1996 with a M.S. in Special Education. She is a Sister of Mercy and has been affiliated with service learning at the College for six years. What she enjoys most about Mercyhurst are the students and their interest in service.