JVC turns 21! (26 Jun 2008)

The Jesuit Volunteer Community (JVC) turned 21 this month and had a bit of a shindig to celebrate.

Started as a year of formation responding to a commitment to social justice, JVC has four key values: simple lifestyle, social justice, community and spirtuality. We spoke to Marie Pattison to find out where the magic lies.

"JVC is all about living in community and taking action to change local communities," Marie says.

"People come from all over the world to join our programme - we've got people from Colombia and Vietnam this year as well as people from the UK and Europe. They live out the four values which, at their best, interconnect with one another."
 
Ruined for life!

"It's a hard year, living in community without much money in troubled areas of the UK, but it seems to work. In America, where it started, they say if you do the programme you're 'ruined for life'! You're never the same again: you leave your home and what you're used to and live out a radical lifestyle.
 
"I think the magic comes from having the right attitude. Our volunteers are exceptional, really but anyone could do it too. Everyone has the possibility of living a radical life and being exceptional if you put the effort in, you just need to be open to yourself, to others and the world around you. It's about openess to those four values."

JVC at 21

More than 100 people celebrated JVC's birthday, including former staff and volunteers, community partners, current staff and volunteers, as well as supporters from all over the country. There was a birthday cake, cut by the current staff Marie and Austeja, and Tess, the very first.

Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Holman SJ, the Jesuit provincial, at St Francis Xavier, the Jesuit church in Liverpool, The service was made beautiful and vibrant by the singing of St Patrick's Oldham African Choir. Speeches were given by Ged, one of the first JVC volunteers, and current volunteer Terry about how much JVC has challenged them and changed their lives.

You can find out more about the work of JVC at http://www.jvcbritain.org/