Nun Build with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

SCNs Luke Boiarski, Rita Davis, Nancy Gerth, Michelle Grgurich, Louise Smith and Grace Mary Whittaker participated in a week-long event held twice a year for religious women to join together in service for the people of New Orleans. The Sisters were among 70 religious from across the nation who will help in the Nun Build to rebuild homes devastated from Hurricane Katrina.

Nun Build: Finishing Up

From Sister Luke: While working today we had a visitor, Josephine Bechet. She shared with us her photos and life story during and after Hurricane Katrina. She is so grateful for all the help she received from volunteers.

Nun Build: Day Four

We are still installing insulation in the Gardiner House. It is such a real joy working with our Sisters in the Charity Federation.

— Sister Luke

Nun Build: Day Three

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have begun their third day on the job in New Orleans under the Nuns' Build project, a part of the independent non-profit organization St. Bernard Project. ABOVE — Louise Smith, SCN, and Grace Mary Whittaker, SCN, are installing insulation.

Nun Build: Day Two

From Sister Luke Boiarski: This is our second day of work.  Painting and hanging doors in an "Opportunity Home." Homes that have been purchased by St. Bernard Project so they can be renovated and sold to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina at a very reasonable cost.

To see more photos click here.

Day One: Nun Build

Michelle Grgurich, SCN submitted this photo from this morning, the first day of the Nun Build.

SCNs Luke Boiarski, Rita Davis, Nancy Gerth, Michelle Grgurich, Louise Smith and Grace Mary Whittaker gathered to hear today's plans and pray before beginning the week-long event.

Held twice a year for religious women to join together in service for the people of New Orleans, the Sisters will be among 70 religious from across the nation who will help in the Nun Build to rebuild homes devastated from Hurricane Katrina.

Nun Build

SCNs Luke Boiarski, Rita Davis, Nancy Gerth, Michelle Grgurich, Louise Smith and Grace Mary Whittaker will be leaving Sunday, November 14, to participate in a week-long event held twice a year for religious women to join together in service for the people of New Orleans. The Sisters will be among 70 religious from across the nation who will help in the Nun Build to rebuild homes devastated from Hurricane Katrina.

Appalachia Volunteer Trip – September, 2010

Sister Luke recently led a volunteer group to Appalachia in Kentucky. Here is some video from the journey.

SCNs Volunteer with Spalding University for Day of Service

Members of the SCN Family and the Spalding University Family came together for a Day of Service on October 15, 2010. Students and Sisters volunteered at the Home of the Innocents in Louisville, Ky. This weekend was a weekend of celebration as Tori Murden McClure officially became the 28th President of Spalding University. Her inauguration took place on Sunday, October 17, 2010. Members of the SCN Leadership were on hand for the inauguration. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth founded Spalding University.

Spalding University Students Volunteer in PA

Spalding University students volunteer in PA

Durant Video

Mississippi - July 2010

Video of the SCN & SCNA Durant, Mississippi, volunteer trip.

Heading home from Mississippi

The volunteer group gathered for dinner last night at Sister Paula and Margaret's house. The feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction was evident. The painting at both clinics is complete. More importantly, the group developed a strong bond with each other and a deep admiration for the Sisters who work there. The group presented a card and gift to the two Sisters. Gayle Case described the feeling best when she told them, "I didn't know you before I came. Now, I'll carry you forever in my heart."

That's the whole point of our volunteer immersion experiences: to be of service to those in need, to find and to manifest God's goodness in our areas of service, to grow in appreciation of other peoples and cultures, and to allow our hearts to be changed. This trip was a success on all counts.

Sunday in Mississippi

The volunteer group in Mississippi attended a Communion Service in Lexington, MS this morning, followed by a tour of the area from Sister Paula. Gospel this morning is the story of the Good Samaritan, and we were challenged to be open to the opportunities God places before us. Inspiring homily... and an even more inspiring weekend.

Durant - Saturday

We had another full day. All the painting is almost finished. Just a little more to do at the Lexington clinic. We had a cookout last night followed by a time of prayer and sharing. Another great day!

Durant - Friday

We had a full day today. We divided into two work teams to paint the clinics in Durant and Lexington. Both clinics are taking on a brighter look.

We are thrilled to see Sisters Paula and Margaret in action. They are both nurse practitioners for the clinics. We listened to stories of some of their adventures in home health care during their almost-30 years in Mississippi.

Tonight we traveled to the Rainwater observatory in French Camp for an evening of star gazing and learning about our universe.

We'll report for duty at 9:00a.m. tomorrow.

We arrived safely in Durant

Everyone arrived safely in Durant - though some got lost on the rural backroads for a while. After laughing about those adventures, we shared about ourselves and prayed for openness to all that we will experience.

Thanks for joining us in this way. The work begins in the morning!

Journey to Durant, Mississippi

A group of volunteers will journey to Durant, Mississippi to paint a medical clinic over the next few days. A van pulled out of Nazareth, Kentucky at 8a.m. this morning. One volunteer will travel from Memphis and two will travel from Chattanooga, Tennessee. They will join Sister Paula in Durant tonight. Follow us on our Journey. We will attempt to post daily updates. Thanks for your prayers for a safe and productive experience.

An Invitation to An Encounter in Faith and Solidarity with the People of Belize

Download the Volunteer Ministry Brochure for the 2011 Las Flores, Belize trip.

What Will We Be About?

We will focus on meeting people, learning about other cultures, making friends and sharing faith, while we work side-by-side with people in need.

We will be working with local residents in Las Flores for home and school repairs. We will work in collaboration with our Sisters in Las Flores, Belize. Las Flores is located approximately 33 miles northwest of Belize City.

• Cost: $1,300 includes round-trip airfare from Louisville, KY; lodging and food; all activities and excursions. It does not include personal purchases or optional travel insurance.
• A current passport is necessary.
• Participants must be able to walk some distances.
• Participants need to be prepared for the heat and sun of the tropics.
• Participants must be able to handle their own luggage.
• Participants are encouraged to read “Belize: A Novel” by Carlos Ledson Miller, available in libraries and bookstores.
• The trip is open to 10 registrants only. (Priority will be given to those who have not previously participated).
• A non-refundable deposit of $650 is due on or before September 1, 2010. The remaining $650 is due by October 1, 2010.

Habitat for Humanity

From June 21–26, SCNs Luke Boiarski and Nancy Gerth, along with Audrey Cecil, Campus Director of Spalding University, Louisville, Ky., and 16 students, will be working with Habitat for Humanity in Uniontown, Pa. They will be restoring a home for a needy family in this area. Participants will be staying at the SCN house in Dunbar, Pa. Please pray for their safety during this time.

Belize Volunteer Brochure

An Invitation to An Encounter in Faith and Solidarity with the People of Belize

What Will We Be About? We will focus on meeting people, learning about other cultures, making friends and sharing faith, while we work side-by-side with people in need. We will be working with Hand-in-Hand Ministries in building a home for a needy family. Hand-in Hand Ministries is an organization that works in collaboration with our Sisters in Belize City.

Click here to view the SCN Volunteer brochure on Belize

SCNs Volunteer in New Orleans – April 2010

New Orleans - February 2010

Sister Luke and a group from St. Joseph Parish in Tiltonsville, Ohio, travelled to New Orleans, La., on February 21, 2010, to continue to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

SCN Immersion Trip to Belize Feb. 2010

Luke Boiarski, SCN, and ten volunteers returned safely on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, after spending eight days in Belize City building a home for a family of three. They worked in collaboration with Hand in Hand Ministries to provide shelter for the poorest of the poor in Belize City.

Las Flores, Belize

Luke Boiarski, SCN, and a group of 13 volunteers returned safely on Monday, February 15, after spending a week with SCNs in Las Flores, Belize. They built a home for a family of eight and a latrine for the school, as well as other repairs.

New Orleans - January 2010

Sisters Luke Boiarski and Nancy Gerth, along with eight other Sisters from the Charity Federation, joined 22 young adults from Canada, Kansas, New York and Ohio in New Orleans, La., from January 4-9 to continue assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina. The group did interior and exterior painting, assisted with a plumbing project, worked on yard clean up, and assisted with arranging a food pantry at Corpus Christi Parish. While in New Orleans, the group stayed at the House of Charity, a newly acquired house for the Charity Federation.

Sister works to rebuild communities

Imagine waking one morning knowing your world would soon be ripped apart and likely never able to be wholly returned to that treasured state called "home".

Click here to read the whole story from the The Times Leader.