Posted September 13, 2019

Fourteen young adults are dedicating 10 months of their lives to service, community and spirituality as newly commissioned Augustinian Volunteers in Lawrence, Mass.; Philadelphia, San Diego, Ca.; Ventura, Ca.; and Chulucanas, Peru.

The Augustinian Volunteers are recent college graduates who feel called to spend a year in service to others while living in an intentional community, and committing to personal and spiritual development.

“The Augustinian Volunteer experience centers on relationships, with Augustinian friars, fellow volunteers, service site partners, program staff, and God,” said Joanna Bowen, director of the Augustinian Volunteers. “Through service to others, young adults have the opportunity utilize their skills for the common good, while also learning alongside the communities they encounter.”

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Inspired by St. Augustine’s search for a greater understanding of God through self-discovery and communal life, the Augustinian Volunteers program celebrates the often restless hearts of young adults by inviting them to undertake a way of life that honors human dignity through an experience of community, spirituality and service.

Informed by the Catholic tradition, the volunteers focus on building relationships and committing themselves to working toward the common good.

Each Augustinian Volunteer will serve with local community partners for 40 to 50 hours a week. Aside from being placed in one of the four domestic communities, volunteers also have the opportunity to serve internationally in Chulucanas, Peru.

The 20th anniversary cohort of Augustinian Volunteers was commissioned on Sunday, Aug. 25. This year’s service program will conclude in June 2020.

The 2019-2020 cohort includes James Wroblewski of Morristown, N.J. (Villanova University); Daniela Zavala of Arlington, Tx. (Texas Tech University); Jared Gencarella of Palo Alto, Ca. (Loyola Marymount University); Clare Hennessy of Arlington, Tx. (St. Louis University); Travis Vermulm of Cut Bank, Mt. (University of Providence); Claire Leroux of York, Maine (Villanova University); Keara McNulty of Havertown, Pa. (University of Pittsburgh); Martin Palmasani of New Lenox, Il. (University of Dayton); Jacob Robinson of Riverhead, N.Y. (Merrimack College); Bridget Lozier of Saylorsburg, Pa. (Neumann University); Julia Rodrigues of Westbrook, Maine (Walsh University); Keri Salanik of Perkasie, Pa. (Villanova University); Ryan Kolakowski of Marietta, Ga. (University of Notre Dame); and Levi Prudhomme of Reston, Va. (Ohio State University).