Simple lifestyle
Vincentian Volunteers commit themselves to the challenge of living the year with others from different backgrounds and cultures, and of creating and sustaining a community life.
An “ideal” community is not a perfect one, but one where each person is given a place, can be themselves, and, hopefully, live happily with the others. Respecting the differences in each other is part of this community building, and sometimes trying to “walk in the shoes of another”.
Simple lifestyle:
The style of the community depends on the volunteers in each house, but each person is asked to contribute their gifts and talents whilst taking into consideration the age, experience and cultures of their companions. Community includes all aspects of life from, the ordinary everyday shopping, cleaning and cooking, to the more profound experiences of sharing values, prayer and supporting each other at a deeper level.
Living simply:
This is one of the values that shapes the year. The volunteer is asked to try to live within the weekly allowance; to shop carefully and respect the environment. However living simply is not just about money: it is about the quality of living together. Volunteers commit to building the community by committing to spending time with each other, and listening to everyone’s ideas and experiences. Living simply is an opportunity to be transformed whilst enjoying the simple things of life!
"One must seek to balance simplicity of life with simply joys!"
Fr R. Maloney C.M
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