VESS

 

VESS stands for Volunteers for Education and Social Service.  It was founded by the Catholic Bishops of Texas to provide volunteer service to parishes that had needs but very limited funds. This was written in our very first week, the orientation week, as VESS volunteers.

 

Young and old,

Each uniquely special,

And yet altogether eager, nervous,

Wanting to serve and learn.

 

The opportunity is great,

If you serve at a parish

That can afford to pay you,

They can also afford to replace you.

 

Here, for the most part,

They are just glad to have you.

 

You worry if they will like you,

Or

If you will fit in,

Or

If you can do the job,

 

There is an answer,

Without you,

There would most probably be no one.

 

The fact that you are different,

Or feel different

Is soon lost in the fact

That you do what you can,

It is enough.

 

You learn to overlook

The outward faults

Irritating habits of others,

Only to find yourself seeking

These very people

To be your partner in this new life.

 

What is different.,

Becomes One,

Somehow,

Your uniqueness remains.

 

What you bring special

Becomes shared,

So that all

Become special through You.

 

You then become more special

Because of the gifts of others.

 

“Be not afraid, For I am with you always-“

Is the Reality

Of Your daily life.