Dominican Volunteer Enjoys Living in Community
This article is fifth in a series of six featuring Dominican Volunteers USA living with communities of Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters. Erin Day lives at the House of Connections, Chicago, IL.
by Erin Day, Dominican Volunteers USA
Erin Day (center) with friends at St. Leonard’s Ministries
Working at St. Leonard’s Ministries does exactly what the mission of the Dominican Volunteer USA (DVUSA) program sets out to do. The mission asks us to “respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers, especially those who are poor and marginalized,” and these are the people who I get to work with and see on a daily basis. Society does not look highly on formerly-incarcerated individuals, yet these can be some of the people who need society to help them the most. St. Leonard’s Ministries helps men and women get back on their feet by helping them find housing, employment, and education.
Not only do I get to work with those in need, but I have the opportunity to live in community with Sinsinawa Dominicans and get to share in their lives. It is true what is said, “When you meet one Dominican, you have only met one Dominican.” And that has been a great experience of hearing different perspectives and learning about why they do the things they do and how they got into their area of ministry. I am always hearing about people’s stereotypes of what a “nun” should be, and I know first hand that they are way off. Some of my friends have been intimidated about visiting our house, but once they do so, they fall in love with our community. I end up feeling more privileged to be a part of this community every time someone new changes her/his theory on what it is like to live with Sisters.