ASC IX (2017-18)

Community
Griffin Miller ‘13 | Spring Hill College ‘17

Community is one of the four tenants of the ASC program. In order to understand how significant community is to the program, it is important to know how I define community. To me, community is about furthering my relationships with other people, becoming a better person because of those relationships, and giving up part of myself to helping others. The communities that we experience this year at Jesuit: family, friends, coworkers, students, and many more, unite us all in order to further the mission of being “Men for Others” in our lives. Communities like these build a foundation for us to grow together as individuals, sharing our unique talents with others. Looking forward, we will grow and join other communities in the future, learning more about ourselves, but always bringing them part of the Jesuit community. This is what makes community so important to both me and the ASC program. The Jesuit community is what makes this place so special; without it, we miss life’s greatest lessons.

Service
Dennis Kamara ‘13 | Emory University ‘17

It is a rare treasure to be able to truly live. Although it may sound easy to accomplish, it is a challenging thing to carry out with the stressors of everyday life. The ASC program allows for the chance to rekindle and cultivate both old and new relationships and to rid myself from the distractions that come with adulthood. Because of this rewarding gift, I am able to fully immerse myself in a year of service to the Jesuit community. Of the four pillars, service strongly resonates with me. Throughout the year, we serve in multifaceted roles, including teaching courses, assisting with Kairos retreats, and working with the community service team. The service component of the ASC program provides me with an opportunity to not only use my talents to help others but also an opportunity to be enriched by others, a lesson that will continually shape my personal, professional, and spiritual journey.

Spirituality
Joseph Harwerth ‘13 | Baylor University ‘17

The Alumni Service Corp is a humbling experience, and through that humility one grows in his relationship with God. As an alumnus of Jesuit, I am challenged daily to live the ideal of the Magis. Through the tenets of the Alumni Service Corp, we are able to fulfill the Profile of the Graduate. Each of us in the ASC program are expected to lead the students closer towards the Jesuit ideal and closer towards the heart of Christ. Due to this expectation, I find myself praying in the school chapel asking God for the graces and gifts to be the leader that is expected of us. Through this program, one is given the blessings of encountering God in our daily lives. Whether this encounter occurs when celebrating Mass with the Jesuits, being a group leader at the Kairos retreats, saying rosaries in the Prayer Garden, or serving the poor by the side of the students; we are able to see God’s graces transform the lives of ourselves and the Jesuit community.

Simplicity
Erik Eppig '13 | Boston College ‘17

Life is busy—whether we commit ourselves to our schoolwork, career, relationships, family life, or anything else—it can, at times, be difficult to live simply. In devoting myself to a year of service, I have changed my definition of simplicity several times. Simplicity is not merely a synonym for “easy” or a lack of material goods, nor does it refer to a lack of commitment or responsibility. Rather, I’ve come to learn that living simply means making a difference and experiencing personal growth by living out a balanced lifestyle. The ASC program strikes a pivotal balance between service to others and personal growth. Working at Jesuit as a young alumnus comes with a series of expectations, expectations that can seem daunting to live up to at times. However, in letting go of superficiality and trusting the process, I am able to fully commit myself to my various responsibilities—as an instructor, coach, mentor, and leader. While this model does not necessarily conform to the one adopted by the world around me, living simply fosters an environment geared toward personal development, relational growth, and perhaps most importantly, a recommitment to Ignatian principles.