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<\/a><\/div>\nOK, I admit: I went grudgingly. The leader of our School of Community <\/a>proposed we do a work of charity for the parish monthly. The pastor suggested visiting a local nursing home within our parish boundaries and where he celebrates Mass once a month. And so today seven of us met at the entrance of the nursing home. I kept thinking: I have papers to grade and laundry to do and a kitchen to clean and a garden to plant. And I also thought: I never have been inside a nursing home. As I walked around, I began to see this work could be enjoyable to me. Yes, I am busy but I do have an hour once a month to enrich my life by becoming part of someone else\u2019s. M, who leads our School of Community, reminded us that when we say we are \u201cvolunteering\u201d we are helping someone else. When we understand that we are reaching out in charity, we are acknowledging our own needs, as much as someone else\u2019s. <\/p>\n
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At the door we were greeted by the director of volunteers, a cheery woman who peppered her tour with humor and with practical and wise suggestions. She showed us the cupboard that holds the sign-in sheets and our name tags, the chapel where we\u2019ll spend some time in prayer before spending time with residents, and the rooms where we will play board games with residents. The facility was full of light and plants and a fat cat and older people in wheelchairs and using walkers.<\/p>\n