"Alvernia Responds"

Community Service

We mandate service at Alvernia not because we feel students have too much free time, but because we simply could not be true to our mission as an educational institution and a faith-based community without it. We are called to service by virtue of our baptism, for those who are Christian, but also by virtue of our humanity. As human beings, service is in our bones. The only pertinent question is who, or what I serve. Many in our culture are exceedingly self-serving while others give generously of their time, talent, and resources to others. The wisdom of the Catholic Social Tradition suggests that service of others brings mutual benefit. Often, people of service speak of having received far more than they gave. Even happiness, the most sought after yet elusive state of mind is the by-product of commitment and service of others. Much like a butterfly, the more you pursue it, the more it eludes your grasp. Yet, once you turn your attention to other matters, the butterfly gently sits on your shoulder. Happiness, much like the butterfly, if pursued directly, escapes us. But when we invest time and energy into forging and fulfilling purposeful commitments and serving others through them, happiness seems to find us.

Francis of Assisi was the most joyful of persons, and our tradition tells us that the deep, abiding joy that he knew was born of fidelity to Jesus in the Gospels and to his undying service of his brothers and sisters. As a Franciscan institution, we lift up Francis as a model of how we are to live as human beings on the face of this earth: committed, faithful, and as humble servants of all. The Alvernia College motto "to learn, to love, to serve" is not simply a "catchy" phrase. It encapsulates as sound a philosophy of life as you will find anywhere. Our learning is to be in the service of love, and our love in service to others.

Secondly, every act of service is a point of light that illumines both the server and the served. Anyone who has done volunteer service knows what I'm talking about. No one can go about serving one's fellows and not be enlightened or changed by the experience. I remember a group of students who pioneered an outreach to the Berks County Prison a few years ago. Prior to our first visit, we sat in the Campus Ministry lounge and shared expectations, apprehensions, and attitudes regarding the imprisoned. Concerning their attitudes toward those incarcerated, some harsh words were used: "they are animals, callous brutes, evil persons." I remember being struck by the harsh terms used to describe these people. Yet, after ten weeks of face-to-face service at the prison, a final debriefing session revealed a significant shift in attitude toward the inmates. The common refrain, as I recall went something like this: "they (the inmates) are people just like us, although they've made some bad choices in life". The students could still acknowledge the horrible things that many of the inmates had done, but a new understanding, and more compassionate attitude began to emerge in light of the experience. The students were not calling them sisters and brothers, but they were not calling them animals either. Once the students got involved with the inmates they discovered that they had much in common with them: similar hopes and dreams, fears and worries, concern for family and friends. The point is obvious: service changes us, it puts us in touch with our own fragile humanity, and the humanity of those we serve. To stand face-to-face with someone in need, or someone whose life has gone awry, knowing that a very thin line separates us from them is a humbling, even frightening experience. Yet, if we allow ourselves to step outside the security of our pre-conceived notions, assumptions, and stereotypes, all of which are defense mechanisms, we are poised to receive a new light to guide us on the path of a full and meaningful life.

Lastly, as an educator, I would be foolish to think that education happens only in the classroom. On the contrary, your work in the classroom should provide an intellectual framework within which your "real life" experiences can be understood and deepened. If education has anything to do with enlightenment and the acquisition of wisdom, then it is incumbent upon this institution to provide students with every opportunity for engagement in experiences that inform the mind, enhance understanding; develop character, and open the heart to a world that is wonderfully mysterious and revelatory, even in its brokenness and pain.

Alvernia College, as a Catholic, Franciscan institution is part of an enduring tradition of service to the needy and action for peace and justice. As members of this community, you participate in that tradition. It is the community's hope that the service you render during your college career will become a point of light for yourself and others. Ultimately, it will be joined to the larger light of an ancient tradition, born of God's mercy, universal in scope, and rising radiant as the new dawn of Luke's Gospel:

"In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
In the light of this new dawn the darkness dispelled, the shadows scattered, and every face revealing a sister, a brother: the Christ.

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous boast "I answer him and say, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? And the king "I say to them in reply, Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers (or sisters) of mine, you did for me. (Mt.25:31-46)

Written by Bob Shearn
Campus Ministry
1999

Guidelines for Community Service

All students entering four-year baccalaureate programs must fulfill the requirement of 40 hours of service to others during their years at Alvernia. Students in two-year programs are required to complete 20 hours of community service. Transfer students will have hours prorated according to credits accepted by the registrar.

Service must be compatible with the Mission Statement of Alvernia College and be fulfilled in a non-profit agency.

Gaining approval for and verification of service completed is the responsibility of the student. Students will be encouraged and guided by the Community Service Office Personnel in the Student Center, second floor.

Students are free to select individual projects or work with other students on group activities.

Updated: September 7, 2005

Your comments are welcome.