'We think that many laypeople, whatever their careers, can find opportunities to serve as companions in the endeavors of the Society,' say John and Barbara Schubert. 'Jesuits work in such a great range of activities, they welcome lay associates so warmly and, of course, the needs of this broken world are so profound.'

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A Faith That Does Justice

By Amy Korpi

Barbara and John Schubert, both educators, began their commitment to the Midwest Jesuits nearly 20 years ago. Barbara, who holds three degrees from John Carroll, serves on the university’s board of directors, and has served on the board of Boys Hope Girls Hope as well as the national board of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. John serves on the board of the Ignatian Solidarity Network (which brings together college and high school students to be inspired and trained for social justice work), tutors at Cleveland’s Saint Martin de Porres High School, and has just completed service as a trustee of the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California. In addition, both Barbara and John served on the Detroit Province Development Committee for the Freedom to Serve Campaign, which raised $15.5 million. And both have traveled to teach in the Jesuits’ Eastern Africa Province. Here, they reflect on their commitment to the Jesuits and their rewarding experiences of service.

Q: There are many good causes in the world—what inspired your commitment to the Jesuits?

JOHN: Unlike many laypeople who become involved in the work of the Society, I was never taught by Jesuits. I didn’t even know a Jesuit more than casually until I was in my sixties. But then I made up for lost time. My source of inspiration was Fr. Joe Daoust, SJ, former Detroit provincial and current counselor to the Society’s Father General. After we worked with him on the campaign to endow the Colombiere retirement facility, we joined brief trips that he led in 1996 and 2000 to observe Jesuit apostolates in Eastern Africa. When we visited Loyola High School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, we were given the chance, as retired high school English teachers, to teach a few classes. From this experience came the idea of returning to work with small groups of incoming students whose previous schooling had left them unprepared for high school classes conducted in English. We were able to do this during the winter-spring semester of both 2005 and 2006. We worked closely with a series of young Jesuit Volunteer Corp members and gained a profound respect for them. We paid a brief visit to Loyola just last summer with our teenage granddaughter, Emma. After going through a day of classes and hanging out with the current volunteers, she came to share our enthusiasm for the school, its students, and the American volunteers.

Q: What else have you gained in your service experience?

BARBARA: We have received so much more than we have given. To start, when tutoring at Loyola, we learned to live in community, and all that comes with that—like the need to share everything and to do without choices. We also gained much from the spirit of the people in our midst. The students are terrific; they want to learn and are willing, almost always, to put forth the effort to do so. The Jesuits we met and lived among never hesitated to reach out to the students, neighbors, parents and anyone passing through who needed their help. Their T-shirts as well as those worn by every campus worker said, “Men and Women for Others” and they live this motto to the fullest. The Jesuits we worked with absolutely never said “no” to a request for help. These role models live very simple lives, much like their neighbors.

Q: What makes the ministries you have chosen so special to you?

BARBARA: There are so many good ways to volunteer, but I had never felt called to one particular way until my first few minutes in that classroom at Loyola. It seemed like a third of the class was sinking, unable to really comprehend what was going on. People have asked why I didn’t choose to tutor in our local schools. I really do not have a good answer – except that I felt a serious need that I thought I could help fill in Tanzania. Also, when away from home there is no pull to do family/friend/work-related things. John and I lived in a very small room, we had no phone and limited email, and electricity was mainly on just in the evenings. So we were fully immersed in the experience.

Q: What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about the Jesuits?

BARBARA: I came away from my experiences in Eastern Africa with tremendous respect for the Jesuits and the Jesuit volunteers. John and I saw firsthand how involved the Jesuits are with the people they are serving. When they saw a group of young people who had dropped out of school and were basically illiterate, classes were begun at the local parish to help them attain basic skills. Street children needed food, so the Jesuits began a program to feed and educate these youngsters. Vitamins begged for were distributed. And they never quit giving—look at the average age of the working Jesuit! Retirement is out of the question as long as they can avoid it. And that’s why helping them in whatever way we can is important and necessary.

Q: Why is it so important for laypeople to support the Jesuits?

JOHN: Looking back on my involvements, I see a common theme: “faith doing justice.” For me, the principle mode of service, growing out of my career, is teaching. But I think that many laypeople, whatever their careers, can find opportunities to serve as companions in the endeavors of the Society. Jesuits work in such a great range of activities, they welcome lay associates so warmly and, of course, the needs of this broken world are so profound.

BARBARA: Not everyone can go to Eastern Africa, but there are many other opportunities to serve in Jesuit ministries. The Jesuits will use your donation and/or your time with love and care.

The total cost of Formation for a Jesuit is $385,000. Thank you for your partnership in serving the people of God.

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