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Heritage Ministry and Service Ambassadors Discuss Life-Changing Year at Retreat Center
This past year at Heritage, God set three post-graduate young adults’ paths to converge as they became Ministry and Service Ambassadors. The internship program rang in its first year this past fall, intending to infuse radical hospitality and emulate the teachings of the Catholic Church across the 200 acres in Sharon, Georgia.
“I was really feeling drawn to [Heritage]…This is really a beautiful and holy sacred place. [I thought,] it would be awesome to live and work here.”—Charlie, Heritage Ministry and Service Ambassador
“Definitely the Holy Spirit got me here. That’s all I can say.” – Olivia, Heritage Ministry and Service Ambassador
JJ, Olivia, and Charlie became the friendly and reliable faces guests would see as they ventured into the place of solitude. Throughout Heritage, these ambassadors could be seen during the check-in process, tidying up the cottages used for overnight stays, at the retail shop, or making the prayer spaces a sacred presence for guests.
However, this internship proved to be more than just keeping the retreat center welcoming and presentable. Each Ministry and Service Ambassador became immersed in the overflowing spiritual life that exudes from every inch of the property. JJ, Olivia, and Charlie had the opportunity to enjoy experiences such as joining night prayers with a group of deacons on retreat, hearing enlightening and moving homilies from Heritage Chaplain Monsignor Richard Lopez, and becoming listening ears to the guests whose joy and peace became uncontainable throughout their stays.
“It’s kind of like being a monk but not being a monk. It’s lots of prayer life and community life. I’ve been able to see time and again how Heritage makes a difference for the people who visit here.”—JJ, Heritage Ministry and Service Ambassador
“There’s a variety of things that we have to do here for work, and I can be happy doing any of them because I know what I’m doing it for, which is to serve God and serve others.”-Charlie, Heritage Ministry and Service Ambassador
The impact of this spiritual serenity is contagious, and each Ministry and Service Ambassador enthusiastically proclaims that their lives have changed tremendously over the year. Charlie describes seeing the families who run and laugh freely around the grounds as an “image of heaven”. Olivia relishes experiencing God in the quiet moments on the site, even telling her loved ones she has just been “on retreat for the past several months”.
“Jesus says, ‘My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
That’s what we do [at Heritage] is serve others. God has been using [this verse] to build my prayer life [while at Heritage].”—Olivia, Heritage Ministry and Service Ambassador
As their year at Heritage winds down, the ambassadors reflect on how their experience came during a formative time. While post-graduate life is encouraged as a time to seize opportunities and climb the competitive career ladder, these ambassadors have felt rewarded and fulfilled nestling into the slow-paced retreat life. Nurturing a servant’s heart and passion for emulating the Lord’s love are seeds that have been sown in their hearts and will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
“It’s good for other young people around you to see [and consider], ‘Wait a minute. I don’t have to wait till I’m established to start thinking about these things.’ … there are ways to help…. Our faith is alive and well, and God is working.”—JJ, Heritage Ministry and Service Ambassador
JJ, Olivia, and Charlie each recorded a video introducing themselves and discussing their roles at Heritage. Click below to watch:
For more information about the Ministry and Service Ambassador program, email msa@heritagega.org. or go to www.heritagega.org/msa-program.