Nov 3, 2020
Christ the Redeemer Stained Glass Window at Most Holy Redeemer Church
By Mike Price, current Precious Blood Volunteer
We are all pieces of the stained glass window of Christ the Redeemer. We are an eclectic group of individuals that come together to form the image of Jesus in the Eucharist as a community.
As a Precious Blood Volunteer, we have great opportunities to serve a widely diverse community of people from all walks of life. I am currently serving at Most Holy Redeemer, also known as MHR, in the Castro district of San Francisco, California.
MHR has a deep rich history associated with the AIDS epidemic. MHR opened her doors and hearts to the Coming Home Hospice across the street from the parish. This was the first-ever recorded hospice house opened that ministered directly to those dying of AIDS. The church community came together and would be their first volunteers to care for those who were rejected by families, friends, and their faith communities. MHR is known for being the only catholic parish in the Archdiocese of San Francisco that ministered and offered the sacraments to those who were dying, including doing up to 16 funerals a day for those loved ones who had passed away. Most of these young men and women died without ever having family or friends to hold their hearts as they were suffering. Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church community was the family and loved ones who held their hearts as they passed from this life to the next. MHR was Christ the Redeemer to many as they were left behind by the world.
Some people would also say that this parish is a pilgrimage site for those who are seeking healing from past hurts. This community is filled with former religious sisters, brothers, and priests. There are far more people who have passed through this community to only get a glimpse of God’s grace and love for them. MHR is home to many all over the world because this is where they were redeemed by Christ’s grace and love for them. This was the place where they met others who were and have been rejected by the church. This is a community that has blurred lines of the marginalized and choose to serve their community well through many ministries that are offered by MHR. This is where God’s inclusive love is given to the brokenhearted. The MHR community takes the broken pieces of their heart and welcomes them as Christ the Redeemer.
Like I said at the beginning of this post, Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church is an eclectic group of redeemed and loved people who come together to form the image of Christ who is our redeemer. We are a community that serves others because we are rooted by Christ the Redeemer.
Mike is a current Precious Blood Volunteer serving at Most Holy Redeemer Church in San Francisco, California.
To learn more about becoming a Precious Blood Volunteer go to www.preciousbloodvolunteers.org
Oct 13, 2020
Join us for one of our upcoming information sessions! Learn more about Precious Blood Volunteers, postgraduate service, and how you can grow while walking with and learning from others.
Past events
Jul 24, 2020
Mike was born and raised in Lahaina, Hawaii, and is our first volunteer from Hawaii! He will be serving at both Cristo Rey Kansas City High School and Bishop Sullivan Center. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2020 with a degree in neuroscience and Japanese. This year he will be applying for medical school where he hopes to continue his dream of becoming a doctor.
Why do you want to volunteer?
“I want to volunteer to serve and learn from communities different than my own. In my pursuit of being a doctor, I have seen how important it is to truly understand the people we serve so we can walk with them in compassionate solidarity. By interacting with underserved populations while living simply, I hope to understand those who need help them most. This year I am excited to work as a teacher and mentor so I can prepare myself to be a better doctor who empowers patients to be informed advocates for their own health.”
Why do you want to volunteer with Precious Blood Volunteer Ministry?
“Doing volunteer work has always been something I enjoyed, but I realized during my time in college that I had more to give. Joining Precious Blood Ministry I have the opportunity to help those in need in a sustained and personal way. By living out the Precious Blood Mission to build community and walk with those who suffer, I know I will be able to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. I am extremely excited to serve the Kansas City community, and I know with the support of Tim and the Precious Blood Ministry I will be well prepared to do so.”
What are you looking forward to most?
“I am excited to meet new people and I looked forward to building strong friendships along the way. This year will undoubtedly present me with challenges but I am excited to learn from them and grow from the experiences.”
Learn more about Precious Blood Volunteers at preciousbloodvolunteers.org.
Jul 24, 2020
2020-2021 Precious Blood Volunteer, Thomas Weiss
Thomas Weiss will be serving as a Precious Blood Volunteer at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in the Program of Liberal Studies, Notre Dame’s Great Books education.
Why do you want to volunteer?
“The most formative experience of my education was the summer service program I completed after my sophomore year at Notre Dame. Living in intentional community at Hope House and serving at PBMR will hopefully be an equally illuminating and restorative experience for me.”
Why do you want to volunteer with Precious Blood Volunteers?
“The values of Precious Blood Volunteers outline the kind of life I hope to live. Commitment to serving those from suffering communities and a drive to redevelop often backward social systems resonate with the direction of my heart as I transition out of college and toward a career informed by Christ’s message of peace and compassion.”
What are you looking forward to about your volunteer experience?
“I am excited to step out of the classroom and into the real world. Having spent four years mostly reading books and writing essays, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to put my ideals into practice and to learn to sharpen my understanding of social realities through first-hand experience with those living on the south side of Chicago.”
Learn more about Precious Blood Volunteers at preciousbloodvolunteers.org.
Jul 22, 2020
2020-2021 Precious Blood Volunteer, Allison Spraul
Allison Spraul will serve at KC CARE Health Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and live in community at Jerusalem Farm. She grew up in the town of Effingham in central Illinois between St. Louis and Indianapolis. She attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Catholic Social Tradition.
Why do you want to volunteer?
“I want to volunteer because I want a year of learning the kind of skills that I cannot learn in a classroom or from a textbook that will make me a more empathetic physician. Skills like connection, accompaniment, cultural competence, and sensitivity, in addition to clinical experience, will make me a better doctor going forward.”
Why do you want to volunteer with Precious Blood Volunteers?
“I want to volunteer with Precious Blood because of their focus on accompaniment and service alongside. I want to do what I can to help bring in those on the margins.”
What are you looking forward to about your volunteer experience?
“I am looking forward to building community with those I am working with and with my fellow volunteers, as well as the chance to put my faith into real-world practice.”
Learn more about Precious Blood Volunteers at preciousbloodvolunteers.org.
