Experience, Service, Reflection in a Boston neighborhood
By Jim McCarthy
At the beginning of 2009, after forty years in the high tech and financial services industries, and as I approached age 65, I began to look at retirement scenarios for myself. Unfortunately, the economy and our retirement nest egg tanked. I prayed for guidance. One of our daughters was more practical -- she urged my wife and me to see a financial advisor to get clearance to retire. With the economy still reeling, we decided that I would transition to semi-retirement. I requested my employer, a major financial institution, to allow me to move from full-time to part-time status (3 days per week). I cannot help but feel that my prayers were answered, because the recently-hired Senior VP who approved my status change was a Jesuit-trained Boston College High graduate and has been very supportive of my IVC involvement!
Six two-week mission trips to Honduras over the past 18 years led me to believe that combining service to the poor with spiritual reflection would be my ideal “semi-retirement.” I had read about the Ignatian Volunteer Corps in 2007 and was very interested, so I was thrilled to learn they were coming to New England in 2009. The IVC mission statement and the Spring 2009 IVC availability in the Boston area were perfect!
My IVC assignment is at Casserly House in Roslindale, an inner-city Boston neighborhood, on Mondays and Tuesdays (8:30am – 5:00pm). Casserly House was founded in 2000 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston to establish a presence in a neighborhood popula
ted by a large number of poor, newly-arrived immigrants and refugees. The Sisters purchased a triple-decker home to house this new ministry; five nuns live on the top two floors, and the ministry takes place on the first floor. In recent years the neighborhood has had problems with drugs, teen gang violence and murders. Casserly House is a vibrant, welcoming presence in the neighborhood.
My duties at Casserly House are varied and unpredictable, which is fine with me. In the mornings I help immigrant adults assimilate into their new environment. The current adults come from fifteen different countries. I register new arrivees, help them prepare for citizenship exams, teach basic literacy courses, but most importantly help them feel safe and welcome. In the afternoons I help tutor neighborhood children in the after-school programs.
When I register the newly-arrived immigrants, I see fear and apprehension in them. Two weeks later I typically see happiness and trust. The environment at Casserly House is so loving and caring. The immigrants encourage 
each other, help each other, and have fun together. Each of them has his/her own story. In addition to being poor, many of them have recently endured war, domestic violence, rape, sexual torture, and loss of family members. These are the “crucified” people I feel I am being called to love and help.
In my first month at Casserly House, several of my initial adult clients were Muslims. I had never had much interaction with Muslims before, so I felt God was introducing me to my unknown brothers and sisters. Hearing their personal stories, and the evil they have endured, I have gained a profound respect for their human dignity.
The staff at Casserly House are awesome. Sister Nancy Braceland, the Director of Casserly House, has established a very vital, stabilizing presence in the neighborhood, including on issues such as domestic violence and neighborhood cleanups. At the same time, she personally ministers to the poor with a very loving and caring demeanor. Brian Ahern, a Jesuit Volunteer Corps worker, is being “spoiled for life” by his year at Casserly. Volunteer teachers and tutors complete the staffing, and we have developed a positive, fun team spirit.
Knowing that Casserly House has been such a success story in Boston, I initially wondered whether Sister Nancy would be open to new ideas and new ways of operating. My spiritual reflector encouraged me to ask questions of Sister Nancy and try to understand the underlying values and objectives. I have found that Sister Nancy welcomes and encourages my feedback and recommendations.
In my parish youth group mission trips to Honduras, daily spiritual reflection and journaling were essential components. Doing the same for my Casserly House ministry is not a problem for me, I appreciate their value. I find that, by reflecting on my daily interactions with the poor, I come to know and love them as my true brothers and sisters.
Experience, service, and reflection. The combination of Casserly House and IVC is proving to be exactly the ministry opportunity I was seeking in retirement. I truly enjoy going to Casserly House, it is such a welcoming and nurturing environment. And sharing my experiences and thoughts with my spiritual reflector and IVC team members is equally enjoyable. Who knew “retirement” could be so rewarding!
