By Michele Harris
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Addressing the parents of young Jesuit priests back in 1989, Fr. James Conroy, S.J., spoke of the Jesuit society’s devotion to serving humanity as Jesus did by working with the poor and downtrodden.
At the conclusion of Conroy’s presentation, a parent raised his hand and asked, “I want to have that relationship with God and do that kind of work, but I’m a happily married man. I’m going to retire in another year. What do you have for me?”
Says Conroy, “I fumbled and said, ‘Frankly, I don’t know that there’s anything like that.’” The Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits, had many service opportunities for young people and priests, but there wasn’t anything for older laypeople looking to connect to God through service to others. The question lingered in Conroy’s heart, one he pondered over the next several years.
Giving back
After completing his assignment with the novices, Conroy turned his full attention to the older generation. He says he found “an amazing amount of evidence saying there is something here about this third generation of life. The numbers have never existed before—the vitality, the energy, the ability, and the strong desire to give something back.”
Conroy discovered another Jesuit, Fr. Charlie Costello, S.J., had been pondering the same issue. In 1995, the men joined forces to create the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, or IVC, for people over the age of 50. IVC combines spiritual reflection with service to those most in need. Volunteers commit two full days a week to work among the poor while they undertake an on-going program of reflection to uncover meaning in their experience. Volunteers do not have to be Catholic; anyone interested in exploring the Ignatian principle of service and faith is welcome.
Says Conroy, “As you get older, men and women of faith are inclined to search for meaning. Why the disparity—why have I been so blessed and yet others have so little?”