RIKSEO

Wheeler Methodist (TEST)

Clothing the naked means more than providing shirts and shoes

Clothing the naked means more than providing shirts and shoes

Clothing the naked means more than providing shirts and shoes

Adobe Stock

The temperature was dropping when a woman entered the Holy Family Service Ministry at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in North Hollywood, California. She was in need of a coat and had specific preferences regarding what she desired.

“I don’t wish to appear masculine at night since that might lead to issues,” she expressed to Deacon Louis Roche, the head of the ministry. “And I don’t want to seem feminine at night.” She opted for a dull jacket that would avoid attracting any unnecessary scrutiny.

“I accompanied her to view her residence on the street, and it was astonishing,” he remarked. “The rest of us return home in the evening, and when night falls, that’s when the homeless begin their struggle. They must remain alert to keep an eye out. Surviving until tomorrow is a significant challenge for them.”

The facility assists approximately 1,000 individuals and families every month, which includes migrants and children accompanying their parents. Not all are without homes. Some are temporarily displaced, or simply experiencing financial hardship.

They arrive for haircuts, meals, mental health support, connections to additional resources, and they have access to a shower truck for cleanliness. Clothing is provided in a boutique-style environment to ensure it resembles a shopping experience. All garments contributed by churches, individuals, and organizations are complimentary, and visitors are allowed to receive a new set of clothing each week.

Read more from our Fall Vocations Special Section here.

Some are in poor condition, and a lot of them rest on the ground or otherwise are unable to take proper care of their clothing.

“I have witnessed individuals resting in foliage, or lying face down in the ground,” Deacon Roche remarked.

The ministry encompasses more than merely delivering services and distributing pants, shirts, ponchos, jackets, socks, and shoes.

shoes
Adobe Stock

“Our volunteers help them feel welcomed when they arrive,” he stated. “There’s a spiritual element present, a kind of evangelization, and I believe that resonates with people. They frequently request prayers, and we distribute rosaries, though we don’t go overboard. Individuals can utilize them privately. On Sundays, we notice a significant number of them seated at the back of the church, slowly moving towards the front as they become more at ease with themselves. It’s vital for people to sense that they are accepted in God’s sight, that they aren’t marginalized, and that they possess a purpose in life. They need to understand that they are here for a specific reason and that their significance is equal to anyone else’s.”

Many individuals on the streets are experiencing the most challenging periods of their lives. Deacon Roche observes women and children who could be victims of trafficking, and girls who, after just six months, appear to be a decade older. There was a young woman, eight months into her pregnancy by a drug dealer, who continued to smoke crack. One man spent 27 years sitting on a bench outside the center; after he fell one day, suffering from a head injury, he returned and continued to sit there until his death.

The homeless and impoverished have numerous needs, and often they simply require footwear and a bit of compassion from the employees. These can be true blessings.

“There isn’t a single individual who isn’t spiritual in some form,” Deacon Roche remarked. “It’s rewarding to witness when the realization strikes each individual and listen to them express, ‘Oh, yes, I sense that and I desire it once more.’ When they arrive here, they experience a brief moment of calm and serenity in their lives, reassured that God loves them, that they are cherished, and that they are alive. I enjoy offering that sacred environment for them so they can find some tranquility for a while during their time here. I believe that brings them comfort.”

He stated that they have provided him with a sense of purpose in life, and he has formed many new friendships while gaining a deeper understanding of himself, humanity, and empathy.

“I enjoy listening to people’s narratives, and they desire to be acknowledged,” he stated. “I believe that’s the essence of being a deacon, serving as a connection between the Church and people, and I regard that with great importance.”

Catering to every background

In rural America, the issue isn’t necessarily homelessness, but rather poverty. This is true in Frenchville, located in Clearfield County, amidst the picturesque hills of central Pennsylvania.

Life Line of Clearfield provides support to individuals in the area seeking help with their pregnancies or for their infants. They might require groceries, household goods, baby gear, car seats, or formula.

The females who are typically in their 20s and 30s — occasionally as young as 14 — require maternity attire to accommodate their pregnancies. After the arrival of their infants, they need diapers and a sufficient amount of baby clothing to match the frequency of baby changes and the rapid growth of infants. Clothing for toddlers is also accessible.

“Anything we receive, we distribute,” stated center supervisor Sister Ruth Ann Madera. “We obtain assistance from foundations, private donors, and churches, and the Knights of Columbus are significant backers.”

Life Line additionally provides counseling services, pregnancy testing, emergency food assistance, educational resources, and referrals to various programs and support systems. The clients represent a wide array of backgrounds, and not all are single mothers.

“Occasionally, one might believe that they’re all single,” Sister Ruth Ann remarked about the mothers they support. “However, we do have married clients, and we also serve fathers. It’s a matter of poverty.”

It’s not just mothers who request baby clothing and diapers. Approximately a year and a half ago, Life Line began assisting grandparents due to the rising number of individuals caring for their grandchildren. This situation arises because their own children — the parents of the baby — may have mental health struggles, issues with addiction, or could even be incarcerated.

Life Line falls under the auspices of Young People Who Care, Inc., which started in 1976 as a group for young individuals aimed at addressing the requirements of those in poverty. It was established by the late Sister Therese Dush, a Sister of Mercy from the Diocese of Erie, who was granted permission in 1982 to establish Anawim Religious Community of Frenchville. Their narrative is one of compassion for the less fortunate and faith in God to meet the needs of the community and its services.

“The term signifies ‘the small ones who are loyal to Yahweh,’ and the charism primarily encompasses the beatitudes,” Sister Ruth Ann stated. “The Mercies remain akin to our elder sisters.”

She was 26 years old when she arrived in Frenchville many years ago to engage in mission work with the youth.

She had no plans to become part of a religious group. Yet, she did.

“I arrived here for one week, and that was essentially it,” she remarked. “I’m present because that was my spiritual calling.”

Currently, there are two individuals, just her and Sister Suzanne Thibault. Through the years, Bethany Retreat Center, situated on their 150 acres, expanded to accommodate youth and adult retreats, in addition to the Young People Who Care initiatives. The sisters are also accessible for spiritual guidance and counseling.

There are a number of compensated staff members along with approximately 40 Anawim collaborators assisting with different ministries.

“In their everyday lives, they strive to embody the charism.” Sister Ruth Ann remarked. “That means embracing Jesus and practicing the Gospel as we are meant to.”

Maryann Gogniat Eidemiller writes from Pennsylvania.

📚 Artículos Relacionados

Priest’s faith-filled journey through cancer is inspiring thousands

Priest’s faith-filled journey through cancer is inspiring thousands

Father John A. Moineau has been seeking a miracle through prayer, and countless individuals who are watching his videos are praying alongside him as he confronts the challenges of a manageable yet incurable illness. They are moved by his openness regarding his anxieties and find motivation in his faith and confidence in the Lord. For numerous individuals, his path has become their own — not just in supporting him, but also in having the chance to confront their personal obstacles. “If you’re a clergyman and you’re in pain, and you express that you are in distress and fearful, there’s a genuine bond,” Father Moineau stated. “I believe that individuals can then be more genuine in revealing the journey of their own suffering.” Father Moineau (pronounced “mono”), 60, has served as a priest in the Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, for 35 years. He is the pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Irwin and also oversees its partner parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in North Huntingdon. Last summer, he disclosed that the pain he was feeling was due to stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which had metastasized to tumors on his liver and resulted in a blood clot in his abdomen. “There’s no remedy besides a miracle,” he shared with Our Sunday Visitor. “The doctors are being honest about that fact. My reaction to treatment will dictate the duration of my remission and how long I will continue with chemotherapy maintenance, unless the Lord chooses otherwise.” ‘The Almighty possesses a celestial scheme’ When COVID-19 shut down his parishes, he uploaded videos, teachings, and Masses to connect with his congregants. Consequently, the platform, Operation Safe Mode, was already established when he communicated the unfortunate news in July and carried on with further updates.

Leer →
Parables: What are the hidden treasure and the field?

Parables: What are the hidden treasure and the field?

Question: In the Gospel of Matthew, there is a story of a man who discovers a concealed treasure lying in a field (cf. Mt 13:44). What does this treasure symbolize, and where exactly is the field located? It’s one of those parables that I find somewhat perplexing. — Jonathan Marcus, Washington, D.C. Answer: We frequently prefer to perceive parables as concise tales that convey a specific message. However, in reality, similar to any narrative, they function more like puzzles or comparisons that permit various interpretations. Jesus would frequently elaborate on the parables extensively to his disciples “in the house” — for instance, Peter’s residence. In this instance, we lack a complete revelation of Jesus’ explanation of the parable. Therefore, akin to any narrative, we should permit it to signify multiple things. For this response, I will focus on one particular interpretation.

Leer →
Opening the Word: Our own calvary

Opening the Word: Our own calvary

The virtuous thief or the wicked one, the decision is ours. Jesus was explicit; he indicated consistently that followers should forfeit belongings and connections, deny themselves, carry the cross, and follow him (cf. Lk 14:25-33). He frequently discussed his impending death and resurrection (cf. Lk 9:22-26, 43-45). He aimed to instruct his disciples on the implications of this for them — that they were also expected to die and rise, and to love as Jesus did throughout the entire process. However, that’s a difficult pitch. Mark explains how Peter struggled to acknowledge it, how he chastised Jesus when he initially mentioned the concept of his pain and demise (cf. Mk 8:31-33). To avoid suffering, to shun death, to evade discomfort, to deny the cross: When faith is frail, it’s simple to justify our avoidance of following Jesus in this aspect, diverting from the way of the Passion. It’s effortless to transform our Christianity into merely comfort, into comforting phrases of sentimentality and gradually substitute the Faith with a kind of devout, indulgent hedonism. This, naturally, evolves into something entirely different from Christianity — regardless of how Christian it may seem on the surface. As St. John Henry Newman once remarked, our phrases — even terms like “God” — can lose their significance; we can strip even our most sacred words of any true meaning. That’s the outcome when we disregard Jesus’ cruciform call. Such represents the deceptive Christianity that declines to accept suffering.

Leer →
Opening the Word: Friends of Jesus — Lazarus is us or should be

Opening the Word: Friends of Jesus — Lazarus is us or should be

“His friend,” Jesus referred to him (Jn 11:11). That is exactly what Lazarus represented; it explains why Jesus approached him and why he brought him back to life. Lazarus was a dear friend of Jesus. The onlookers could perceive it in his expression; they remarked to each other, “Look how much he cared for him” (Jn 11:36). Beneath this miracle, as with all miracles, love and friendship are influential. Ultimately, that is the core message — the most fundamental message, at least — that Lazarus embodies us, or ought to embody us. As Lazarus experiences, so should we. We should be friends with Jesus just as he was. For that is what this Christianity matter entails: becoming a companion of God, discovering existence in that companionship, including everlasting life. March 26 – Fifth Sunday of Lent Ez 37:12-14 Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Rom 8:8-11 Jn 11:1-45 What Jesus accomplished for Lazarus is exactly what he promised. Previously in John, he stated, “Do not be astonished at this, for the time is approaching when all those in the graves will hear his voice and will emerge, those who have performed good actions to the resurrection of life, but those who have committed evil acts to the resurrection of judgment” (Jn 5:28-29). He was, naturally, speaking broadly in this context; Lazarus, on the other hand, serves as a symbol, a wondrous indication of what is valid for all believers. The event involving Lazarus provided a preview of splendor. He stated this clearly: “This illness is not destined to result in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be exalted through it” (Jn 11:4). Similar to Cana, that miracle also acted as a sign, further disclosing his glory (cf. Jn 2:11). Through these signs, many chose to have faith; that was the purpose of these wonders. This is also one of the more inspiring aspects of the narrative, that God sometimes unveils his glory through the miracles he has performed in us, that God can influence others via us, through our remarkably transformed lives. Provided, of course, that we’re genuinely loyal friends of God. Being a friend of God necessitates faith — correct faith; specifically, orthodoxy. This is the essence of Jesus’ exchange with Martha. “I am the resurrection and the life; anyone who puts their faith in me, even though they may die, will live, and everyone who exists and has faith in me will never perish. Do you accept this?” Jesus prompts her. Drawing out, similar to Peter previously, her complete and heartfelt declaration of faith, she replies, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” (Jn 11:25-27). The essence here is that true friendship with God necessitates genuine faith. There is no existence of simply cultural, non-believing Catholicism, nor can there be positivist or solely materialist Catholicism. Without belief in the Gospel, you cannot be considered a Catholic or a friend of God, and the glory that Jesus mentioned will never radiate from you; it will not transform or rescue you. I understand that this may seem harsh. However, we must keep in mind that this narrative unfolds at a tomb. The core theme and moral of the story is, in fact, life and death. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand what a relationship with God involves, as the implications are significant. This is the type of faith the Church encourages us to rejuvenate during these closing days of Lent before we enter the week of Christ’s suffering. Ours is a fundamental yet contemporary faith; we continue to be captivated believers in love, friendship, and even wonders. Our faith should resemble that of the initial witnesses to Jesus’ miracles. Our faith is, of course, refined by spiritual insight. We understand, for instance, why Lazarus retained his burial garments, and why he didn’t, unlike Jesus, neatly arrange them and leave them behind in the tomb (cf. Jn 11:44; 20:6-7). Lazarus would require them once more; he would eventually face physical death, just as everyone does. We understand that what Jesus offers us is everlasting life, heaven; we recognize that this is ultimately the focus of this narrative. Just prior to experiencing his own crucifixion, Jesus desires for his followers to possess authentic faith, genuine hope, and true love. He wishes for his disciples to perceive his Passion in a more profound way, a spiritual perspective. Jesus refers to his death as “glory” as well, which initially appears strange. However, this perspective changes if you’ve been perceiving the signs as they were intended to be understood, if you’ve been listening — with authentic faith. Moreover, all of this centers on friendship. Friends comprehend, friends maintain faith, and that’s all Jesus desires — friends who will accompany him to the cross, who will not waver in their faith. So, what about you? As we are aware, the majority who witnessed Lazarus being raised fled during Jesus’ arrest. Only a handful managed to witness what transpired on the cross. But what regarding us? Will we reach Good Friday as faithful companions of Jesus? Will we observe his death with comprehension? Will we recognize in his death the unveiling of God and the achievement of our salvation? Will we perceive it as the everlasting fulfillment of our bond with him? These are the inquiries the Church provides us right before Holy Week. Questions only the true friends of God have the ability to respond to. Father Joshua J. Whitfield is pastor of St. Rita Catholic Community in Dallas and author of “The Crisis of Bad Preaching” (Ave Maria Press, $17.95) and other books.

Leer →