St. Joseph Worker Provides Leadership in Faith Formation

March 1, 2019

Ever since its inception 18 years ago, the St. Joseph Worker (SJW) program has provided invaluable resources to the CDH community.

The SJW program is a year-long volunteer program run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Young women have the opportunity to live in community and volunteer full-time at various sites around the Twin Cities sponsored or founded by the Sisters. 

SJWs have been donating their time and talents to CDH for almost two decades, collaborating with the Campus Ministry team and leaving a lasting mark on the community.  One beloved traditions, "A Simple Christmas," was founded by a SJW 12 years ago.

"Each SJW is unique and brings so much energy, joy, and talent to students and the community overall," said Lou Anne Tighe, Campus Ministry. "Depending on his or her interests, the SJW assists with ongoing campus ministry activities and is encouraged to develop her own programs."

This year's SJW, Ceara Curry, is sure to leave her own lasting mark. She founded "Tutor Thy Neighbor," an after-school volunteer opportunity where CDH students tutor local Somali students, building cross-cultural interfaith relationships and developing teaching skills.

Curry chose to join the SJW program immediately after graduating from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. 

"Service has always been really important to me," she said, "and I wanted to take the time to reflect and discern my next steps. This is a year for us to explore our spirituality and grow in our understanding of ourselves, others, and the divine."

In her role with Campus Ministry, Curry leads retreats, the liturgical choir, and service opportunities including Leap Forward and Habitat for Humanity, in addition to Tutor Thy Neighbor. She's passionate about providing students with opportunities to grow in both their faith and their leadership skills, and gushes about the growing confidence of her students.  This year alone, she has witnessed a choir member who now plays piano at Mass and an international CDH student who is slowly pushing through language barriers at Tutor Thy Neighbor.

"I've had so many great experiences seeing students grow to be their best selves," she said. 

Next year, Curry will go on to study Theology in graduate school. She hopes to build a career in Campus Ministry.

"I've learned that I have more ability to lead than I thought, and I'm eager to give students the same gifts that Campus Ministry in high school and college gave to me," she reflected.

"Engaging with students and allowing them to grow is deeply important to me; it's really a gift."