Finding the King in Memphis

After a short prayer to locate a Saturday vigil Mass and a random turn off I-40 St. Peter’s Parish (photos), immediately appeared as a beacon of hope in the inner city of downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Located at the corner of Third Street and Adams, it is the first Catholic Church in West Tennessee and was established in the year 1840. Reflecting historical architecture from Europe, the building was designed by Patrick Keeley and completed in 1854.

But not all is about history. In modern times, for about the past 30 years, the “King” (Elvis) ruled here; evidence of his reign is all around the city of Memphis. The visitor’s center displays photos and life-size statues of the King as if he were some type of local “god.” However, the Dominican order took over St. Peter’s, just steps away from the visitor’s center in 1842 and they have consistently proclaimed the Eternal King (Jesus) for about 160 years now.

Today, on this feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Associate Pastor, Fr. John (photo) preached an “Amen, Hallelujah!” homily that cut to the heart just about everyone present. The homily centered around Jesus’ question to Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” However, Fr. John’s question for us is this, “Who do people say St. Peter’s Parish is?” or Who do people say you are?” One person not long ago said St. Peter’s is that church with a lot of money! Is that how a church would like to be known? What do people say about you? Do they say that is a person with a lot of money or works a lot?

Fr. John preached that we should be known as the church or the person that forgives. We don’t want to be known as the church that proudly raises our noses and casts aside those who are unlovable, hurting and searching. Jesus is for everyone! We need to be a church that opens our doors to everyone. We need to be inclusive of everyone! We need people to say, that is a person who loves the unlovable, the abandoned and the crushed. We want to be known as St. Peter’s, the church that embraces all the outcast “Matthews” - the “tax collectors” of our day. The “Matthews” today are people who are marginalized and hated in society and we are not to judge them – the gay person, the divorcee with no annulment, the various individuals with race and color unlike ours, the homeless and the neglected.

St. Peter’s inner city outreaches include a Neighborhood Housing Opportunity program. It also includes, First Works; a program that betters the lives of the less fortunate by caring for their physical needs of water, food and clothing. Poverty grips one in three children in Memphis and St. Peter’s has a mission to renew families and children’s lives in the inner city of Memphis, Tennessee.
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Teenagers and Homeless in America Youth

Passport for Life

Most East Coast homeless teens, runaway, and throwaway youth may begin their journey in the Boston/New York/Washington corridor or may eventually even wind up in Fort Lauderdale or Key West. But smack dab in the middle of the more than 1,000 mile journey down the Eastern Seaboard is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Many teens will land here looking for employment, the beach and an escape from the harsh living in the outdoor winters of the Northeast.

Founded in 2000, Project Lighthouse Sea Haven is founded and under the direction of David (photos) and it has a mission to form alliances (Passport for Life) with fellow travelers, fellow pilgrims who are on “the journey of life” to find themselves and their true home. Many of the teens (ages 13 – 21) have been rejected, cast aside or have run away from home for various reasons. Most have experienced some type of childhood abuse by parents, step-parents or live-in mates.

The sunny spot in this beach city is David, his passionate leadership and the “Davidisms” that sprinkle the walls of the day-shelter. Upon arrival, David and his team members John and Erin will work with anyone that is serious about wanting help. In just hours a teen can receive food, water, a shower, clothing for job interviews, help with filling out job applications, an original birth certificate, I.D. and Social Security Card. They’ll even throw in free wheels (photo - refurbished bicycles).

David, a surfer, a world-traveler backpacker and originally from California mixes beach youth culture with a healthy blend of folksy wisdom, counseling and a professional agency atmosphere to turn kids around. His easy street talk, cool tattoos and compassion for young people lets any teen know that they are not visiting a stuffy social service agency. This place is real, radical and makes one feel understood. Also, volunteers like Kaleb and Jarred (photos) help infuse life into the group’s art and music department where personal expression can facilitate self-discovery.

So what’s the Passport for Life? David supplies each person upon entering their very own Project Lighthouse passport modeled after the one he uses for international travel. The passport gives the bearer “10 rules of the road,” a common path, the shortest distance, a space for “family allies,” and many pages are reserved for passport stickers that validate their learning and success on the road. Traviln’ on the road with no destination? Need assistance? Go and meet trekkers David, Erin, John, Jarred and Kaleb. They will be strength for the journey.
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More on the Internet
http://www.seahaveninc.com/
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Homeless In South Carolina

Recently, Street Reach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina shared its mission to serve the homeless in the Sun Belt’s Grand Strand area. The Christian mission has been headed by Libby (photo), its Executive Director for more than ten years. After many years of being crowded into a storefront mission, today they begin moving into a brand new 1.3 million dollar facility (photo).

How did that happen? Not long ago, a stranger walked in and offered to build Libby a new mission. She received one check, and then another until she quickly had nearly a half million in initial funding. “It was totally miraculous in how it all happened,” said Libby.

What is the number one question she receives about the homeless? “Why don’t they just go out and get a job like the rest of us?” Of course, she patiently educates area churches and their parishioners about the plight of the homeless. She is passionate about mercy and compassion for people who lack many “gifts.” Many are deficient in health, mental health, health access, treatments and suffer from self-medication and addictions. “It is a complex problem that needs a lot of awareness, that’s my job” said Libby, who is well known in the community for her excellent fundraising ability.

Street Reach has a 5/21 program that allows a person five days to obtain employment and 21 days or more to help them save their money for a more permanent place to live. They offer an evening meal to those who cannot afford to provide for themselves and offer “care packages “to anyone that needs it when food is available. Street Reach also has a 4-6 month recovery program. That includes attending recovery and Bible classes. The organization is a Christian 501-C3 non-profit and exists solely by private donations and grants.

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More on the Internet

http://www.streetreachministries.org/

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Homeless in Louisiana

For the past twenty years, Rev. Martin has been directing the Shreveport Rescue Mission. He has seen a lot of changes too. For nearly 50 years it operated in an older facility, but in the past year opened the doors of this brand new, 5 million dollar home (photos). It is designed with three wings - one for women, men and one for families with children. Getting his wish list, it is also equipped with medical and dental offices. Volunteer doctors staff the facility at various times in the month. But it is not all about brick and mortar. Get Pastor Martin talking about giving and receiving the compassion and mercy of the Lord and the conversation won't end. Along with his staff, Donna and Jennifer to mention a few, he has inspired many local Catholic and Protestant churches to donate their time to helping the homeless at the Rescue Mission. We pray for God's blessings on him and the staff as they have been key in also responding to 1000s of homeless after hurricane Katrina. The mission is the largest operation of its kind in the state of Louisiana. They are a faith-based organization and exist solely through donations.
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More on the Internet
http://www.sbrescuemission.com/

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Homeless In Texas

Monday, on HIA’s journey crossing America to meet Jesus in the homeless, it is important to note the drive across the desert Southwest was a brutal blend of intense desert heat while sighting frequent “dirt devils” and then scouting occasional homeless persons walking along the shoulder of I-10, miles from the nearest exit or civilization. Most sojourners had apparently minute provisions, little water or protection from the scorching sun. Monday evening’s Magnificat reading coincidentally spoke loud and clear, “God shall charge his angel legions, Though you walk through hostile regions, Though in desert wilds you sleep.”

So, across this great land of ours, are we responding to Jesus’ command to serve a cup of water to the parched, the scorched and dehydrated in His name? How is Jesus being cared for in the abandoned, rejected and the misunderstood of our country?

At first glimpse, Christians are responding with a great “Amen!” to Jesus’ instructions. It is happening right here in America and it immediately can be found at a spontaneous stop at 180 House in Abilene, Texas. Husband and wife team, Richard (group photo, guy in blue shirt) and Tracy along with Richard’s father (photo, man with dogs) is making it all happen in this part of the world, just miles from Midland, Texas - home of the Presidential Texan family, Bush.

With little funding and just a passion to serve the poor, Richard and his father acquired a deserted convalescence home in 1993. Since that time, they scraped and saved. They personally remodeled one wing at a time until it became fully operational by the year 2000. Tracy joined the team soon after and became happily married to Richard supporting his zeal to serve the homeless of Texas.

At 180 House, six wings contain comfortable double occupancy rooms (photos), a floor kitchen, private baths and private floor shower. Many wings sport triumphal names (photos) like – “The Road to Miracles,” “Hope Highway,” and “Faith Freeway” to mention a few.

So what is the 180 House “road to miracles?” Consider they receive no government funding and few donations. They rely mostly on what participants in the program can offer for the upkeep of the home. It is an open-ended home in that some individuals have continued to live there for some years now. Though lost and abandoned at one time, they have found their true family.

Before leaving, Barron shared his story. He’s been at 180 House and sober for 18 months. He’s thankful that Richard, Tracy and the entire family has given him a chance and a new lease on life. He has found his very own “highway of hope” just off I-20 in Abilene, Texas. May we always remember Richard, Tracy, their father and 180 House in our prayers.
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More on the Internet
http://www.180house.com/
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Homeless In America on the Road

Similar to Tommy Wiseau’s documentary, "Homeless In America," (photo) which is a collection of homeless experiences across America, HIA goes on the road beginning Monday, June 16th to present the homeless situation in other parts of the U.S. and its hidden realities. Check in for periodic updates from very spontaneous and unrehearsed locations. In this summer season of brutal heat and quick dehydration, pray mercifully with us for the poor across our country, that the Lord will reveal himself to them, heal them, and give them food, water, clothing, shelter, peace and safety. God give mercy and grace to all those who have supported this journey with kind and generous hearts. May His peace be yours!

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The Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd

Called forth by the power of the Holy Spirit for life and ministry in the Church, the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd, were founded in 1951 in Albuquerque, New Mexico by Brother Mathias Barrett (photo). The roots of the community are rooted in the call of Christ to Brother Mathias, who, through his prayerful response to a unique invitation, was empowered by the unlimited love of God for a life of prayer and service to the poor and needy.

Brother Mathias initiated the ministry by operating a refuge for the care and assistance of the transient poor. While serving the needs of these poor, he came in contact with needy priests and assisted them to regain a sense of their human and spiritual dignity. Through his concerns and efforts, many priests came to reaffirm their vocation and resume their ministry in the Church. Imbued with similar zeal, other men joined in this noble work and went forth in faith to meet additional apostolic challenges.

Today, the Brothers are serving the poor in New Mexico, Illinois, Canada, England, Ireland, and Haiti. They share the mercy and compassion of Christ in many ways while providing …

* Direct service to the homeless and disadvantaged members of society.

* Care for elderly persons unable to function independently while promoting independent living for the elderly.

* Hospice care for those living with a terminal illness and promote a sacred reverence for life.

* Care programs for persons with developmental disabilities.

* Accommodations, care, and education for orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti.

* Supportive housing programs to the elderly, psychiatrically disabled, physically disabled, and people with HIV/AIDS.

“I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice”

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9: 9-13

We pray …
God of mercy and compassion, you did not call the righteous but sinners to be seated at the banquet table with you in the Kingdom of Heaven. Grant that we may see the losers of the world through your eyes and share with them the same mercy and compassion through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The Charge Against Christ? He Loved the Unclean ...

by
Robert Hugh Benson

Jesus was undoubtedly hated for His Holiness. Who can doubt that the terrific standard of morality which He preached--the Catholic preaching of which also is one of the charges of the Pagan--was a principal cause of His rejection. For it was He, after all, who first proclaimed that the laws of God bind not only action but thought; it was He who first pronounced that man to be a murderer and an adulterer who in his heart willed these sins; it was He who summed up the standard of Christianity as a standard of perfection, Be you perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect; who bade men aspire to be as good as God!

It was His Holiness, then, that first drew on Him the hostility of the world--that radiant white-hot sanctity in which His Sacred Humanity went clothed. Which of you convinceth me of sin?... Let him that is without sin amongst you cast the first stone at her! These were words that pierced the smooth formalism of the Scribe and the Pharisee and awoke an undying hatred. It was this, surely, that led up irresistibly to the final rejection of Him at the bar of Pilate and the choice of Barabbas in His place. "Not this man! not this piece of stainless Perfection! Not this Sanctity that reveals all hearts, but Barabbas, that comfortable sinner so like ourselves! This robber in whose company we feel at ease! This murderer whose life, at any rate, is in no reproachful contrast to our own!"

Jesus Christ was found too holy for the world. But He was found, too, not holy enough. And it is this explicit charge that is brought against Him again and again. It was dreadful to those keepers of the Law that this Preacher of Righteousness should sit with publicans and sinners; that this Prophet should allow such a woman as Magdalen to touch Him. If this man were indeed a Prophet, He could not bear the contact of sinners; if He were indeed zealous for God's Kingdom, He could not suffer the presence of so many who were its enemies. Yet He sits there at Zacchaeus' table, silent and smiling, instead of crying on the roof to fall in; He calls Matthew from the tax-office instead of blasting him and it together; He handles the leper whom God's own Law pronounces unclean.

Monsignor Benson (+1914) was a British citizen and a convert to the Catholic faith and who is best known for his sermons and novels about Christian spirituality.

Carmen's Place for Homeless Transgender Youth

This past Saturday, June 7th ABC News reported a brief but significant story about the care of the homeless in the New York City area. Under the direction of Fr. Beck (an Episcopal priest), a unique home has been founded. Carmen's Place takes in and cares for transgender homeless youth. Beck believes, “regardless of their shortcomings, these youth need the love and mercy of Christ extended to them, just as we all do.” At Carmen’s Place, the youth find a place to be loved and gently called to a living relationship with the Lord in His time and according to their capabilities to respond.
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Who Do You Know That Can Help in LA - ASAP?

THE GREATER WEST HOLLYWOOD FOOD COALITION NEEDS HELP

The group has been serving west side homeless men, women, children and teens every day of the year since 1987. Now, they need more help! Please talk it up in your circle of friends, encourage them to lend a hand. This is a great opportunity for summer community involvement, for teens and for youth service hours. Contact Ted ASAP at the following email landrethassociates@juno.com

Here is a list of opportunities to serve that you can peruse.

West Side Food Pickups
Seven days a week, between 9AM and 7PM, usually an hour or so at a time – by assignment from Doris, our volunteer president and food coordinator.

Food Preparation
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, between 3:30 and 6PM, at our kitchen at 1106 N. Cahuenga, just north of Santa Monica Boulevard in KINGSTAR HAMBURGER AND TERIYAKI. (We prepare and serve a meal seven days a week, but at the moment we need cooks and assistants on those days, most particularly).

Serving Meals
Sunday, Monday, and Friday, between 6:15 and 8:15PM, at Sycamore and Romaine (one block east of La Brea and one block south of Santa Monica Boulevard). Includes cleaning up the neighborhood afterwards and then returning to the kitchen to wash and clean up there.

Email Ted Today
Anybody who would like to consider taking on one or more of the above tasks, even on a trial basis, should email Ted at landrethassociates@juno.com. He will coordinate the volunteer time, date and place with the your team leader. Also, we need more subscribers to Homeless in America. Who can you encourage to join our voice? Ask them to Subscribe!

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This Is My Commandment That You Love One Another - Jesus

Love is the perfect fulfillment of the law - St. Paul