Want to Volunteer?
Center Land Workdays
Land Workdays run from 9 am to 12 pm. Join site manager Cris Ritsema and others working on the FLPC Land. Tasks include weeding, planting, raking, clearing debris, edging, and picking apples. Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring a water bottle.
Volunteers will be notified via email if we need to cancel due to weather.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 Feast of St. Therese (Trail run clean up and prep)
Workdays with Franciscan Sisters
Working alongside the Franciscan Sisters, volunteers gain a deeper understanding of nature, of the Catholic faith and God’s place in their lives. Projects include land maintenance, harvesting, canning produce, farm chores, and a variety of seasonal tasks.
Workdays are open to individuals, families, and church and business groups. Lunch is served for all who wish at noon.
2025 Dates: April 12, May 10, June 14, August 9, September 13, October 11, and November 8
Please note:
- While it helps us plan when volunteers register online, please know you are also welcome to “drop by” the day of the event.
- To volunteer on a different day or time, please contact critsema@lifeprocesscenter.org.
- Call 616-897-5220 the day of the event if there is a question regarding the weather.
If you or your group would like to know more about Community Workdays, email skelly@lifeprocesscenter.org.
Corner of Creation
Take responsibility for tending to a specific section of land throughout the year. Regular activities could include weeding, raking or planting. Perfect for individuals, groups and families.
To schedule a tour of available “corners”, contact: skelly@lifeprocesscenter.org.
Environmental Education Volunteers
Individuals who have a passion for the outdoors and working with children can assist with environmental education. The program serves fifth-grade students from area Catholic schools who have outdoor classroom experiences at the Center in Lowell. The program runs during the regular school year.
Volunteers must pass a background check and have VIRTUS training.
If interested, please contact skelly@lifeprocesscenter.org
Eagle Scout Projects
For many years, groups of Boy Scouts have come to the Franciscan Life Process Center from various troops for overnight retreats, meetings, and service hours.
Between 2007 and 2021, 18 young men have completed Eagle Scout projects. Each has profited personally from the experience and the Center has benefited greatly from the work each has done. Projects have included construction of benches, picnic table, chairs, bluebird houses, flower beds, raised flower beds, a disc golf course, fire pit, entrance signs, and a portable stage.
Prospective scouts can choose a project from a list that is available or suggest one in which they are particularly interested. Inquiry can be made by calling the Center at 616-897-7842.
Franciscan Friends
Franciscan Friends meet once a week to work on specialized projects and discuss future endeavors. An integral part of the Franciscan family, these volunteers donate their time and skills in a wide variety of areas from programming needs to out-reach projects.
Since many of the Friends are skilled in sewing and needle crafts, they often turn materials donated to the Center into into items needed at local charities.
Ongoing projects include
- prayer shawls
- caps for chemo patients
- caps for neonatal babies
- quilts for children at St John’s Home
- pillows for hospice patients
- stuffed “mice” for cats at animal shelter
- pants for the clothing bank at St. Alphonsus
- dolls and quilts for Santa Claus Girls
In addition, special projects are completed as requested such as weighted blankets for the music therapy program, walker bags, and pillowcases for a low income school.
The Franciscan Friends invite knitters, sewists, crafters, quilters, and others to join them. All skill levels are welcome.
