A New MCV Interview
With Jennifer Sackett 

(Jennifer Sackett recently joined us from graduate school at Iowa State University, where she had begun her research studies in chemistry.  Jennifer is now missioned as a science and social studies teacher among the various grades at St. Francis Elementary School in Lumberton, New Mexico, which serves the local Jicarilla Apache Native Americans from their neighboring reservation.)

Q:            Jennifer, what were you doing in life as you approached the decision to volunteer?

A:         I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in May 1999.  Within two weeks of graduation, I went directly to graduate school at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa to assist with research for the Summer.  In the Fall, I began my graduate classes and my student teaching at the same time.  But, I did not like it!

            Once I realized that, I started to looked at other alternatives.  I finally decided that I wanted to volunteer until I attended the campus ministry program’s "Busy Person’s Retreat" in November 1999.  That retreat in combination with some good feedback I received from my spiritual director helped me decide to volunteer.  The week after my decision, there happened to be a volunteer fair on campus at Iowa State University.  The rest then all came together fairly quickly once I heard of the Missionary Cenacle Volunteers.

Q:        How has volunteering met your expectations and what you had hoped for?

A:         I am definitely glad that I left graduate school.  This has helped me to realize that there might be other places where I could better use my gifts and which might be a better fit for me.

            One of my community members shared with me this phrase: "You didn’t come here to serve for it to be easy."  Well, it has definitely not been easy for my first time teaching grade school and living in a volunteer community.  But it has been a good challenge for me to make these adjustments.

Q:        How has volunteering helped you move further along in your personal and spiritual journey?  How has it prepared you for whatever might be next after volunteering?

A:         I have definitely grown a lot already as a person.  My many cultural and classroom experiences have given me much to reflect on.  The whole experience has helped me to grow more centered in God.

            This is now the beginning of a new direction in my life, where I realize that no matter what I do, I want my entire life to be a prayer.  I want my life to be of service to others.  I clearly see now that this is not how I felt during graduate school.  I did not really feel any passion while there.

            I firmly believe now that I am called to follow my heart and God will take care of the rest!

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