Letter from the desk of Erin Donley
Erin (left) with her mom (right)
By Erin Donley, NDMV Events and Development Associate
Attending a retreat is a transformative experience, one that leaves a lasting legacy of renewed energy and fresh perspectives. This year, as NDMV transitions and changes, we are offering our National Volunteers two opportunities to attend a retreat, one that starts today and one in April. Our California Volunteers will attend a MidYear Retreat in February. Although much smaller than the traditional MidYear experience, we hope to provide our volunteers with time to learn, reflect, and connect with the NDMV community.
As a young person, I was introduced to retreats through my local parish. I attended a mother-daughter retreat at a nearby retreat center that fostered meaningful connections with my mom and sister. The experience included talks, crafts (where we discovered that my mom isn’t very skilled at sewing), and various activities.
In high school, I also attended a few retreats. One of my most transformative retreat experiences was called Teens Encounter Christ. During the retreat, I heard many testimonies about faith journeys and was invited to reflect on my own. The most touching experience on that retreat was when my family and friends wrote letters of love and encouragement to me, expressing their support for my faith journey. Having the support of my community encouraged me to delve deeper into my trust in God. This experience helped me learn to walk with God in every step of my life.
Gina Birmingham (left), Erin Donley (center), Catherine Weber (right)
Throughout my adult life, I have had the opportunity to attend various retreats that have allowed me to reflect on each stage of my journey and renew my faith. As I’ve grown older, I've found myself seeking more quietude. The most peaceful retreat I experienced was at a Benedictine monastery in Vermont, where I participated in a private silent retreat with the nuns. As a new mom, this experience rejuvenated my sense of vocation and deepened my love for my family. It helped me navigate some health challenges and provided the time I needed to connect with God, which in turn fostered patience within me.
While our retreats for volunteers will not be heavily religious, we are excited to offer them the opportunity to reflect on why they chose service and how to maintain the fortitude to continue. They will have opportunities to connect with staff and the Sisters, helping them understand the impact they make by choosing a year of service. We hope they gain a greater sense of connection with our NDMV community.
Your support for our volunteers is crucial in making retreats possible for them. We faced significant funding losses this year, and without your generous contributions, we may not be able to host retreats next year. We kindly ask for your financial support to sustain these valuable experiences.
Every donation, regardless of its size, makes a difference. Thank you for considering our request! Visit ndmv.org/donate to contribute towards future retreats in years to come.
