Odd News For Some

As odd as it may sound to some, there have been saints who, through the years have dedicated themselves to God with a strong desire for personal suffering and increased prayer. One example is Mother Mary Teresa of St. Joseph, the founder of the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus. She viewed suffering in such a spiritual light that she could say on page 284 in her autobiography, “It is my vocation to suffer and do penance for holy Mother the Church and for the freedom of the Church.”

At the death of her beloved spiritual mother, Pauline, in February 1874 from pleurisy Mary Teresa received the great grace to recognize the blessing of suffering so much so that she began to ask for crosses and sufferings for her whole life as she states on pages 17 and 22. She did this because she wanted to become nearer to God.

The homeless, by default suffer greatly because of lack of medical care and nutrition stemming from rigorous days of perpetual walking, lack of health insurance and poor nutrition. But what about the rest of us who are well-fed, well-clothed and medically made up? Would we be willing, like Mary Teresa to give up wealthy and middle-class comforts for a little or a lot of suffering?

Over the past nine months, bloggers and readers were polled the following question: “Would you pray for opportunities to suffer if you knew somehow it was good for you and for others?” Here is how they responded . . .

78% said, “Yes!”

21% said, “No.” More than likely, this group would prefer to take the suffering as it comes along in life, but not specifically to go out and look for it.

Thank you for participating in the poll. Please scroll down to near the bottom of this main page and respond to the other questions as well.
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Merry Christmas and Welcome to Our Family's Gathering In Pictures

Christmas Eve, the family had a big gathering. About 125 got together to receive gifts, talk, hug and even pray a little. As you can see, some came nearly naked, some were children and there were lots of youth and teens too. Angelina and Anthony played with the dog while the entire family received warm jackets, coats and sweaters that were generously donated by compassionate people at Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Sebastian's, Sacred Heart, Corpus Christi and many other churches in So Cal. Some received packs of clean socks, underwear, prayer cards and rosaries. Everyone got a BIG gift bag "stocking" stuffed with cookie packs, Noah's Bagels, loaves of bread, Jello pudding and Dole mixed fruit cups, chip bags, water bottles, soda, fresh Sunkist oranges and more. The gathering was three hours and then everyone went their separate ways, a little happier and soaked in the Christmas Spirit. Happy Holidays from our homeless, broken, forgotten and abandoned family to yours!

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Christmas Gloves

by

Will Emaus

I see you every night.

You are part of my budget now.

I see you in the cold Michael, every night when I take my train.

I give you change every night, but tonight it's so cold.

I take my gloves off to reach into my pocket.

I see you shivering.

I give you the gloves instead.

Merry Christmas I say.

Now I'm the one shivering, now I'm the one cold.

The next morning a friend knocks on my door.

Merry Christmas he says and hands me a gift.

I open the box, it's a pair of gloves.

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Holiday Success!

On Sunday, November 28, 2010, the “Denny’s Holiday Experiment” was blogged here at HIA. In the article, we reminisced how this past Thanksgiving, it was discovered amidst cries of joy and tears of appreciation, the homeless really enjoyed receiving breakfast/lunch gift cards from Denny’s. In November, through a couple of generous donors, 26 - $6.50 cards were donated. The gift cards were randomly presented to homeless men and women sleeping on the streets and riverbeds of So Cal’s, Ventura County.

Since that article, one gentleman emailed and said, “What an inspiration, great idea!” He donated $10 online at http://www.servantsofthefather.org/ toward this coming Christmas outreach. God bless you. The owner of a restaurant in LA heard of the coming Holiday giveaway and donated $20. One woman, so touched by the idea, generously gave $50. A musician and his family sent in from Phoenix, AZ, $200 – all the proceeds from his recent music work.

All totaled, for this new Christmastime giveaway, $280 has miraculously arrived, thanks be to God. The good news? The Denny's cards will immediately touch 40 homeless men and women by providing them with the opportunity to experience a basic necessity that most Americans take for granted - a hot breakfast or lunch. The gifts will be passed out randomly over the Holidays and are loaded up with $7 each. Strategically, the $7 card value parallels the new Denny’s recession buster menu which provides for lots of choices. It’s called - $2 - $4 - $6 - $8 (photo). God bless everyone that participated!
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God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, “Don’t Worry Be Merry!”

By Mark Chironna

The rich and powerful didn't get angels to visit them to announce that God had moved in the neighborhood...as a matter of fact, their intent was to kill this child (read the story). It was the "have-nots" that were given hope. I wonder how many "have-nots" are walking the streets homeless this Christmas that could use a flesh and blood angel to provide them a meal or a warm place to lay their head...or maybe there is no room for them in our inns anymore. The One who was born on this most celebrated day made some important statements at the end of His life. He often spoke about the least, the last, and the lost...and He said "insomuch as you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto Me..." His idea of celebrating His life was visiting prisoners, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry. Those seemed really big issues on His agenda. Psychologist Carl Jung made a profound statement regarding "the least of these". For Jung, all judgment was projection. In actual fact he made it clear that you cannot give what you do not have. What if the "least, last and lost" was first and foremost you as an individual? So maybe the real meaning of Christmas will be found in those areas in your waking or sleeping life where messages about hope and possibility invite you to embrace a reality beyond the world that you see in front of your eyes. Perhaps my greatest enemies are the ones in my own soul.

What if part of Christmas requires reconciling all the parts of ourselves in the light of what it means to become truly human. What would it be like to come to a place where there were no enemies within you that prevented you from being the childlike dreamer that hoped against hope in believing Good News? What if the real meaning of Christmas is hidden somewhere in the reality that in order to be truly divine you have to become truly human, and the more human you are, the more you reflect the reality of the divine nature? Not sure if we are ready to explore all of those things, so in the meantime while you are out decorating the halls with boughs of holly, and listening to your favorite Christmas songs, the reality is that the holiday season has become a time of increased stress and pressure for many, and many people instead of being full of good cheer are filled with despair and need to know that it really is possible to dream again and believe in things impossible, and maybe the people that feel the most stressed are the closest to discovering that the real meaning of Christmas has been lost somewhere in the milieu of what we have made it out to be. It isn't worth the stress...the old carol says it well..."God REST YOU MERRY....gentleman" It doesn't say that they were "merry gentlemen" (or women)...the implication is that in the midst of crisis, conflict, and decision, if nothing else, Christ's birth is the promise of God bringing us to a place of rest that results in being merry. (Excerpt from Mark Chironna's December 14, 2009 article, The Real Meaning of Christmas, Huffington Post)
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Proud American Homeless Veterans Raise the Flag

American V.E.T.S., is a Ventura, California organization that uniquely helps homeless Veterans regain meaning and purpose by asking them to take part in something important and profound, like raising the American flag. The organization acts as a liaison between homeless Vets and organizations in the area who wish to hire the homeless as daily flag raisers at their corporation or government office building.

Statistics show that homeless Veterans make up about 30% of the homeless population in America. In the U.S., they total more than one million living on the streets and struggle for even the basic necessities of life; food, clothing, water, peace and safety.

To help raise funds for the homeless Vets, the organization also sells American flags for home and commercial use. For more information, visit http://americanvetflagpoles.org/.
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Greed and Confusion of the Christmas Season

The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain, their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. Isaiah 41:47

The greed and the confusion of the Christmas season is only symptomatic of the ills of the 24/7 pagan world. It's a world in need of salvation. In prayer, let us cry out . . .

R Lord, help us!

In the endless demands of the season:
- remind us it’s all about you. R

In the conflict and confusion of family and relationships gone awry:
- teach us to love like you. R

When the hungry and thirsty cry out amidst the spectacle of holiday greed:
- become their bread and their wine. R

When refugees, migrants and immigrants walk in uncertainty and fear along unknown roads:
- come to take them by the hand and guide them to a place they can call home. R

Let us pray . . .

May the God in whose ways our fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been our shepherd from our birth to this day, the Angel who has delivered us from harm, bless us and keep us in peace. Amen (Genesis 48:15-16)
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America’s Rich Volunteer to Become Poor!

The Associated Press reports today, another 17 of America's richest people, including Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg (photo), junk bond pioneer Michael Milken and AOL co-founder Steve Case, have pledged to give away most of their wealth.

They are the latest to join the Giving Pledge, an effort led by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and investor Warren Buffett to commit the country's wealthiest people to step up their charitable donations.

They've now signed up 57 people and their families. The list also includes New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, CNN founder Ted Turner and film director George Lucas.

Though not a formal contract, those who pledge are committing to give away at least half of their wealth to philanthropic causes either before or after they die.
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Saved by Works or by Faith?

We are not are saved by works, but by faith. However, works play a significant role in each person’s path to holiness, regeneration and sanctification. But first, in regard’s to justification by faith … Paul writes in Roman’s 3:20, “For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Paul must be speaking here about the works of the law often connected with religious practices and observances. Although we may not be saved by works, however works of mercy and compassion toward the poor, the prisoner and the abandoned play a significant role in making us available to the grace of regeneration and personal sanctification. Personal suffering also contributes toward sanctification and holiness. Paul writes … “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.” (Romans 5:3) Paul also states, “Just as you once yielded your members to impurity and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness (right living) for sanctification.” (Romans 6:19) He also writes, “But by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the flesh, you shall live.” (Romans 8:14) Life in Christ calls us to suffering, works of mercy, compassion and service to others that yield our members to holiness, sanctification and regeneration. The law certainly can make us aware of sin; however it can never sanctify us. Yielding our members to compassion and mercy will facilitate the Spirit’s sanctification process in our lives.
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A Message from Brother Lucidus that Homelessness is Okay, “Our Home is in Heaven”

Saint Francis [once] issued a letter “On the Ideal Friar Minor,” a letter which was not carved out of the air, but in which he employs traits and character of all his most faithful brothers. “The perfect Friar Minor,” said Francis, “must be as true to poverty as Bernard of Qunitvalle, simple and pure as Leo, chaste as Angelo, intelligent and eloquent as Massero; he must have a mind fixed on high, like Giles; his prayer must be like that of Rufino, who always prays, and whether he is awake or sleeping, his mind is always with God; he must be as patient as Brother Juniper, strong in soul and body as John de Laudibus, loving as Roger of Todi, and like Brother Lucidus he must not settle in any place, for when Brother Lucidus had been more than a month in one place, and found that he was beginning to like it, then he would leave at once, saying ‘Our home is in heaven.’” (Excerpt from the Doubleday Image Book, St. Francis of Assisi by Johannes Jorgensen)
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Why all of us are Technically Broken, Homeless and Unworthy Creatures

By Fr. Franciso de Osuna

“Do not let a day slip by without considering God's favors; praise and exalt his generosity, particularly in contrast with yours, for truly what you deserve is to be deprived of what you already have received. Do not delude yourself about being worthy in any respect, for whatever is meritorious in you is a gift from God. You are nothing but matter stripped of all good, and anything you might have is clothing God lends you because he wishes you to have it. Faithfully remember the gifts bestowed by nature as well as those you enjoy by chance and grace and by the promised glory that, unless you happen to lose it through your own fault, is as certain as the rest. Think intently about the special and general graces from the Lord and admit truthfully that you received them from his hand. Preserve them assiduously in the greatest possible purity and love them dearly, but even more, love him who so blessed you. Withdraw and guard against offending grace and the Lord of grace...

“A theologian who agrees with this says: 'Woe to those who remain silent and do not acclaim you, Lord, the source of all good things, for even though such people speak at great length, they are mute. Happy the tongue that thanks you, for it fulfills is purpose in life. It now begins the business of thanking your Maker in which it will remain forever.'"
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The Denny’s Holiday Experiment

Last year, at this time of the Holidays, you may remember the homeless received Subway $5 Sandwich Deal gift cards. This year, on Thanksgiving Day, it was a little different. The homeless received Denny’s $6.50 breakfast or lunch gift cards. The cards parallel Denny’s new menu, $2, $4, $6, $8. It is safe to say this Holiday experiment was a BIG hit! The cards were donated along with handmade greeting cards created and given by the teens of the youth group of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Paula, CA. The touching sentiments in the cards, combined with the hope of a hot breakfast brought tears to many homeless eyes. We remember especially the 3 poor migrant day workers, hungry, cold and alone in the park. We also remember, the “family” of six homeless persons who begged for more gift cards as they were very hungry.

Between now and Christmas, please make it a point to visit the Servants of the Father of Mercy website and sponsor 1 or 2 Denny’s gift cards (or as many as you wish) to be given out in your family’s name on Christmas Day. 100% of your donation will go directly to a homeless person. God bless you for your compassion and mercy for the poor homeless we serve. Donate at: http://servantsofthefather.org/donate_2_homeless
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One Heck of a Wonderful Way to Get Into the Advent Christmas Spirit!

Advent is just days away, and before you know it, Christmas will be here soon after! It's a Holiday season that calls on us to be awake to the very presence of Christ in the world. The following litany calls us to be aware of God who dwells with those who are homeless. We recall also, at this time, the journey of the homeless Holy Family and their search for shelter (Luke 2:7).

The following litany was written by senior-high young people from Newman Congregational Church, UCC in Rumford, Rhode Island. Each year the youth of Newman, along with other youth groups in the Rhode Island Conference, participate in Homeless Awareness weekends. They do a homeless sleep-out during which they keep a twenty-four hour vigil outside, living in the cold of Rhode Island's winter. Essentially, they live and sleep on the street as a homeless person.

While the vigil is held, money is raised and clothing and food is contributed to a local emergency shelter downtown. Staff from the shelter provides opportunities for interactions between the youth and persons who are homeless. The youth return to the Newman church straight from the street. There they lead the congregation in worship. The following litany was written as part of that service. Use this litany in your own congregation or as inspiration to discern how God may be calling your church to be in ministry with those who are homeless during these holy days of Advent through Christmas and Epiphany.

Advent Litany for the Homeless

Presider: Those who are homeless can be seen in doorways, in bus stations, in parks, and on the roadside. They can be found in abandoned buildings, in shelters, and in parked cars. In the hustle and bustle of our lives we walk by them, for they are invisible to us. Let us pray this litany and ask for God's help . . .

People: O God, help us slow down our fast-paced lives and give us the strength to open our eyes to those who are homeless.

Presider: They are the men, women, and children who due to unfortunate circumstances are left without a place to live and food to nourish them.

People: O God, you call us to help them, as best we are able.

Presider: They have stories rich in both joy and sadness to tell. They seem voiceless, because we are too involved in our own lives to take time to listen.
People: O, God, please help us to find the courage to stop and listen to the stories of your people.

Presider: Often they are lonesome, with very few people willing to care for them or to provide them with the warmth they deserve.

People: O God, help us to open our hearts to accept your people whom society has abandoned.

Presider: They are your children. They are similar to us. They too have hopes, dreams, desires, and aspirations.

People: O God, help us open our minds so we may recognize all on the earth as your people.

Presider: These are your people filled with your love and goodness—although often overlooked.

People: O God, open our minds to allow us to see the beauty in all of your people.

Presider: They frighten us because we do not know their stories. They frighten us because deep down we know that we can easily become one of them.

Presider: O God, forgive us for our fears and help us to remember that your light shines through them just as brightly as it shines through any of your children.

This litany was written by senior-high youth from Newman Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Rumford, Rhode Island: Kenny Williams, Kaitlin Walsh, Mida McKenrick, Erin Walsh, Kelsey Oliver, and the interim associate pastor, Monica Ouellette. For more information about Newman Congregational's Homeless Awareness Weekend, contact Ruth Hainsworth, Minister of Christian Education, by e-mail at newmanchurch@juno.com.
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Proof of the Afterlife

Servants of the Father of Mercy Announces

A Free Lecture & Book Signing

Come and Hear . . .

Author, Br. Gary Joseph Launch His Hope-Filled New Book Titled:

When: Friday, December 3, 2010
Where: Santa Paula Community Center
530 West Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Live Music by Peter Torsiello, OCP Artist & Worship Leader
Complimentary Refreshments Served

Proof of the Afterlife - The Conversation Continues is a true story about one man's crossing over to the Other Side in September of 2005, when, after an out of control heart arrhythmia at 1:15am, he wakes up dead in the afterlife, and comes back thirty minutes later to tell about it. In the words of his family physician, "Dude, you have been somewhere very few people ever return from." Since that time, this book chronicles his somewhat unusual daily life - one of frequent God-encounters, and visits from the other side by family and friends on a mission to facilitate love, mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation.

So pick up the book and come along for your own hope-filled journey into the reality of eternal life. Struggling with family, relationships, terminal illness or just life in general? This book will lead you to concrete, indisputable, life-changing and reassuring facts: God is real! He is alive and well, and in control. Your family and friends who have passed on are very much alive. They love you and are waiting for you to come home. The book may be purchased online at http://www.servantsofthefather.org/ or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/.

- Cautionary Note -

While reading Proof of the Afterlife – The Conversation Continues, God-encounters are possible, weeping and grieving may occur, and peace may flood your soul. Uncontrollable laughter and joy may follow!

The author, Br. Gary Joseph, s.F.m., may be reached for presentations and speaking engagements by sending email to Contact@ServantsoftheFather.org.

Now You Know the Rest of the Story Behind The “Jesus Was Homeless” T-Shirt

By Shane

Jesus teaches that it is nothing extraordinary to love our friends and relatives, people who think and look like us. He says, "Even the pagans and sinners love their friends." (Matthew 5). But we are to be extraordinary; we are to love people who do not think or even look like us - even our enemies.

One of my favorite [Bible] passages is where Jesus tells us how to throw a party in Luke 14, only he doesn't actually call it a "party." He's talking to a bunch of religious folks, so he calls it a "banquet," but he's talking about a party. He says, "When you give a banquet do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed." I had never really been to a party like that. All the parties my friends threw, Christian or not, were ones where you invite people who are like you – friends, relatives, rich neighbors, yep. We must have not highlighted that verse! Here's Jesus telling us not to throw parties like that.

A few years ago, I caught a glimpse of this kind of party, although it got us into some trouble. Philadelphia had begun to pass anti-homeless legislation, making it illegal to sleep in the parks, illegal to ask for money, illegal to lie down on the sidewalks (which they chose to implement on Dr. King's Birthday!). Ironically, the hub for many of these laws was at Love Park, which is a historic site in Philly known for its skateboarding (which was also made illegal). Love Park was a place where homeless folks hung out. It was visible, safe, and central. Folks knew they could go there to give out food or clothing to folks on the street. It's where we used to go back in college, and there are some nice steam vents that kept people warm. One of the boldest moves of the city was passing an ordinance that banned all food from the park. It specifically reads, "All persons must cease and desist from distributing food." And they began fining those of us who continued to share food. We started wondering what in the world it meant to love our neighbor as ourselves, when they were being jailed for sleeping and eating. As St. Augustine said, "An unjust law is no law at all." What did it mean to submit to authority and yet uphold God's law of love? Either we had to invite them into our home (which reached capacity), or we wanted to be out with them, in solidarity. So we threw a party in Love Park.

About a hundred of us gathered in Love Park with homeless friends. We worshiped, sang, and prayed. Then we served communion… which was illegal. With clergy and city officials there in support, and police and media surrounding us, we celebrated communion. Most of the police sat back and watched, not daring to arrest anyone, especially during communion. Then we would continue the "breaking of the bread" bringing in the pizzas. It was a love feast, and we then slept out overnight in the park with our homeless friends. We did that week after week, with police watching over us and media standing by. And then one night after the worship, as we slept under the "Love Park" sign, which we had covered up with a big question mark, the police circled the park and came in and arrested all of us there. Not the best wake up call. We were taken to jail in handcuffs. Many of us continued sleeping out over and over and were arrested over and over. Sometimes the police were very sympathetic and agreed that we should not be arrested for sleeping.

A bunch of big-wig lawyers called offering to represent us. We were very thankful and invited them to come and support us, but we decided to be represented by a homeless friend, so our buddy, Fonz agreed to be our spokesperson.

As we stood before the judge, I wore a shirt that read: "Jesus was Homeless." The judge asked me to step forward, and I did. He read my shirt aloud, and said, "Hmmm. I didn't know that." I said to him, "Yes sir, in the Scriptures Jesus says that 'foxes have holes and birds have nests but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'" Then the judge paused pensively and said, "You guys might stand a chance." And we did.

As we went before the court, we read all of the Scriptures where Jesus warns the disciples that they will be dragged before courts and jails and they had new meaning. He warned them not to worry about what to say so we didn't. When the time came for us to testify, Fonz stood up in court and said, "Your Honor, we think these laws are wrong." We said "Amen."

The prosecutor had her stuff together. In court I accidentally called her the “persecutor”. She was not amused. The District Attorney was not joking around. We faced numerous charges, jail time, thousands of dollars in fines, and hours and hours of community service (imagine that!). The judge said to the court, "What is in question here is not whether or not these folks broke the law, that is quite clear … what is in question is the constitutionality of the laws." The DA shot back, "The Constitutionality of the law is not before this court." And the DA threw her papers on the table. The judge retorted, "The Constitutionality of the law is before every court. Let me remind the court that if it weren't for people who broke the unjust laws, we wouldn't have the freedom that we do have. We'd still have slavery. That's the story of this country from the Boston Tea Party to the Civil Rights movement. These people are not criminals; they are freedom fighters. I find them all not guilty, on every charge." The papers called it a "Revolutionary Court Decision." And the judge asked us for a "Jesus was homeless" t-shirt.
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Embracing Disgrace, Scorn and Insult, Hunger, Thirst, Cold and Heat

By Catherine of Sienna

“I long to see your heart and affection stripped of the world and of yourself. There is no other way we can be clothed in Christ crucified, since the world has nothing in common with God. The world's disordered affection loves pride, and God loves humility. The world looks for honor, status and greatness and God spurned these things, embracing disgrace, scorn and insult, hunger, thirst, cold and heat, even to a shameful death on the cross. By this death of his gave honor to the Father, and we were restored to grace. The world looks to please creatures, unconcerned about displeasing the Creator.

“Christ never looked to anything but to fulfill his eternal Father's command for the sake of our salvation. He embraced voluntary poverty and clothed himself in it, while the world seeks great wealth. They are really different from one another. So, if our heart is clothed in the world it is necessarily stripped of God, and if it is stripped of the world, it is necessarily filled with God. This is what our Savior said: "No one can serve two masters. If you serve one, you hold the other in contempt." We must, then, very conscientiously free our heart and affection from this tyrant, the world, and set it on God, completely free and sincere, letting nothing come between ourselves and him. We must not be two-faced or love falsely, since he is our dear God, and he keeps his eyes on us, seeing our hidden and inmost heart.”

St. Catherine of Sienna died in 1380. She is a Doctor of the Church, was a Dominican, a stigmatist and papal counselor.

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Rad Guide to Living out of your Porsche

A couple of years back, Homeless In America reported on “Radified,” a mobile-homeless guy, who was living in the parks and beaches around Laguna Beach in So Cal. He refers to his particular group of homeless people as “mobile hobos.” As an author, he is known for his frugal ways and street-smart wisdom in the book, Rad Guide to Living out of your Porsche. In the book, “Radified” prepares the working poor to live out of their cars in Southern California’s unaffordable housing market. Essential to the lifestyle is having an old VW Van, preferably one from the 60's. But you do receive extra bonus points, like “Radified” for living out of a Porsche. A cell phone and wireless laptop is a must. Extras include having a list of all coffee shops with free wireless access and carrying a Bible. Here is his comprehensive “essentials” and “extras” list.

ESSENTIALS:
• Old VW Van, preferably from the 60's (bonus points for living out of your Porsche)
• Tent & sleeping bag
• Health club membership (for showers)
• Cell phone
• Wireless Laptop
• PO Box (mail)
• Library card (for free wireless access)
• Quarters (for laundry)
• Credit card (so you don't have to carry cash)
• Storage facility (for your stuff, preferably one you can access 24x7)

EXTRAS
• Register at local Community College (for more wireless access, don't have to actually take a class to register)
• Locations of all coffee shops with free wireless access
• AT&T WiFi wireless account (for even more wireless access, available at most Starbucks) and a Bible.

“Radified” encourages "mobile hobos" to take comfort in knowing that Jesus was a homeless guy. "And Jesus said to him, 'The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.'” (Matthew 8:20)
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Homeless Angel

Artist and sculptor, Robert Borson, has an innovative approach to expressing the heavenly virtues of humility and poverty with the celestial holiness of angels in this unique and inspirational sculpture titled, “Homeless Angel.”

The Homeless Angel embodies a familiar literary motif – the idea that angels can appear in unexpected places and may not always be immediately recognized for what they are. In this work (photo) an angel with a broken wing pushes a creaky shopping cart laden with symbols and icons of major world religions along the sidewalk. The sculpture juxtaposes mystical elements (wings, religious icons) with gritty reality (cigarette butts, broken glass, shabby clothes). “Homeless Angel” is sculpted with welded aluminum and Winterstone, standing 22 in. high, 48 in. wide, and 17 in. depth. There are more angelic works by Robert Borson at http://www.angelartgallery.com/.

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How do kids get involved helping the homeless?

By Hobo Mama

Ideas will vary depending on the age of your kids, but even toddlers could start doing some of the basics. Older kids might be very interested, especially if they're aware of panhandlers or homeless people they see sleeping on the streets and want to understand and do something. Often it's the youngest and poorest among us who are the most generous, so let them teach you as you enter this project together.

•Take your kids shopping for the items that go in the homeless [zipper] bags. Let them make some of the choices or pick out varieties (say, what kind of fruit cup or what color socks).

•Solicit help with sorting and bagging the items. It can even be a fun lesson in patterns or counting for young kids. (Ex. Each bag gets two red granola bars and one yellow.) Let older kids arrange some of the unique items in a way that seems logical and pleasing to them.

•Use this whole experience as a springboard to conversations about how some of us have families and homes and some of us don't. You can talk about responsibilities and compassion, and ask (older kids, especially) what they think about the subject (and listen to the answers!). Point out that many homeless people are not the ones we see on the streets, and they include families with young children just like yours. If you just ignore panhandlers, you might inadvertently teach your kids a value of disregarding need, unless you discuss the nuances of the situation, as they are able to understand.

More on the Internet:
http://www.hobomama.com/
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Some Things Are Just Useless!

Psalm Ten

"Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"? But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.

"You hear, O Lord, the cry of the poor; you encourage them, and you listen to their plea, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more."

Wealth is useless on the day of death; isn't it? All is left behind for someone else to see their very own short days of fleeting gain. Then, they too pass away – all is vanity. However, great is the generosity of God, who grants us eternal virtues; clothing us in expensive raiment - generosity, patience, kindness and goodness, but only for those who let him. And so we pray . . .

R Lord, you hear the prayer of the poor!

For those who go to bed hungry,
- that they may be fed by those who go to bed full. R

For those who suffer the diseases of poverty,
- that they may find help from those who suffer the diseases of affluence. R

For those who are neglected,
- that they may find care from those who are loved. R

For the poor souls who have died,
- that they may be loved and remembered by those who are alive. R

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

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Hugs from Hughes for the Poor

Tim Hughes, is a Christian worship leader and songwriter. He is Director of Worship for the Anglican Holy Trinity Brompton Church, central London, and a well-known worship leader across many other denominations. His worship songs “Here I am to worship” and “Beautiful One” are among many of his compositions sung each week in churches around the world.

Recently, Hughes, began mixing the theme of social justice with the ministry of worship. “As we read the Bible, we see so clearly God’s heart for the poor,” Hughes explains. “It ranks second only to idolatry as the most popular theme in the Old Testament. And in the New Testament, one in 10 verses relate to poverty, justice, or wealth. So if you take these themes out of the Bible, you’re left with a very, very thin book!”

Justice, in fact, began as a value in Hughes’ from during his earliest memories. “My parents always had a sense of loving the poor and the marginalized,” he explains. “My dad’s a vicar, and I remember vividly as a kid every Christmas the church ran a lunch outreach for the elderly, the homeless, and those who just didn’t have families. I remember we’d peel potatoes and serve food and drinks to people. In one sense it kind of felt strange: ‘Why aren’t we home opening our presents?’ But the concept of an outward Christian faith really stuck with me.”

Hughes has sees more clearly than ever the link between justice and worship. “I was involved in a mission to London called Soul in the City and there saw 10,000 young people come together to spend 10 days reaching out to the community. We picked up litter, painted old houses, organized sports for underprivileged kids, played late-night cafes and gigs for unbelievers. And when we gathered together to worship through song, there was an amazing depth to our worship. It felt like God was pleased with us because we weren’t just singing the songs; we were actually living a life of worship that was making a difference to those around us.”

Here are the lyrics of a relatively new song, composed in 2007 by Tim Hughes, inspired by his compassion for the poor:

"God of Justice"

God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served

Jesus, You have called us
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God

You have shown us, what You require
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give

Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord
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Why Our Poverty and Wretchedness is Good for Us

by Jean-Pierre de Caussade

You want . . . to find a little help in yourself and your good works? That is precisely what God does not wish; that is what he cannot tolerate in souls that aspire to perfection.

What! rely upon self, count upon your good works--what a wretched survival of self-love, pride and perversity! It is to rid chosen souls of these that God makes them pass through a desolating state of poverty, wretchedness and spiritual nakedness. He wishes slowly to destroy all the trust and reliance they have in themselves, to deprive them of all their resources, so that he may be their sole support, their sole trust, their one hope, their one resource!

How accursed is that hope which unreflectingly you thus seek in yourself! How glad I am that God destroys, confounds and obliterates that cursed hope by means of this state of poverty and wretchedness! When all trust, all hope, all earthly and created aids have been taken from us, we shall have no more hope save in God alone.

This is the right hope, the right trust known to the saints, a hope and a trust based solely upon the mercy of God and the merits of Jesus Christ. But you will have this hope only after God has destroyed in you the last clinging roots of your trust in self. This may come to pass only if God keeps you for a while yet in entire spiritual poverty.

Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade (+1751) was a French Jseuit, a writer and

respected spiritual director.

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On Being Perfect

Perfection is more about charity to the poor and to each other than it is about some sort of moral “rightness” propelled by one’s drive to be perfect. Those who find solace in being correct and living a perfect life for God, but who do not observe the law of charity – patience, kindness, being non-judgmental, mercy and forgiveness may have explaining to do once on the Other Side.

Thomas Merton once said, “Perfection is not a moral embellishment which we acquire outside of Christ, in order to qualify for union with him. Perfection is the work of Christ himself living in us by faith.” (Thomas Merton, Life and Holiness, New York, Image Books, 1963, pg.54)

Jesus commands us to, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) Meaning, through the parable of the prodigal son, he reveals that the Father is allways merciful to the wreckless son or daughter, poor, the lost, lustfully addicted and the broken. Now, he wishes us to go and do likewise in order to be perfect like God the Father himself.
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Shower The People With Love

Mark Mulligan, a writer for The Herald, reports on the Fargos, a couple from Everett, Washington, who operate a mobile shower from a trailer on Wednesday evenings outside of the First Presbyterian Church in Everett. They also give away new sets of undergarments to folks who use the shower or come by and ask.

The Clearview couple, Louise and Frank Fargo, started Shower to the People more than two years ago when they decided to provide homeless people an important comfort many people take for granted.

“It just kind of hit me that some people have nowhere to take a shower,” Frank Fargo said. “And they are so appreciative. They think it's a great idea.”

For some of the people passing through, that shower is the only one they get that week. The fresh smells of soap and shampoo fill the trailer and the alley behind the church. A white curtain hides the part of the trailer where people can remove their clothes. Another curtain then leads into a small shower.

People are asked to limit their showers to five or eight minutes, but the Fargos don't watch the clock closely. The trailer gets instant hot water, and more can be added on site, so they never run out, Louise Fargo said.

The Fargos take the trailer to First Presbyterian Church in Everett on Wednesday nights and to Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood on Saturday mornings.

As many as 20 people take advantage of the shower each time. More usually use the shower at the end of a month, when their money may be running out, Frank Fargo said.

“They may be treating themselves to a motel at the beginning of the month, but by the end, they are stretched pretty thin,” he said.

About 900 people have used the shower since the Fargos started their unusual ministry.

Frank Fargo got the idea after reading a book, called Under the Overpass [see Under the Overpass blog, Monday, July 14, 2008), about a young man who was looking for something to do with his life when God told him to become homeless for several months. The man in the book describes going for weeks without a shower. Frank Fargo, who has met homeless people through his church, was touched.

He bought a trailer and outfitted it with a bigger shower, extra water tanks and the hot-water system.

The Fargos pay most of the expenses themselves, but they also get donations from the community. Frank Fargo hardly ever leaves his church, Cascade View Presbyterian, without a bag of donations for his shower.

The trailer has its regulars, and the Fargos worry when they don't show up.

The couple are well-known among church volunteers. The simple service they provide is giving people their confidence back, said First Presbyterian church member Merle Kirkley, who was helping clean up after the community meal.

“For someone who may be living in his car and hasn't had a shower in a week, this will make him feel better about himself,” Kirkley said.

Donations of toiletries and new socks and underwear can be dropped off at Cascade View Presbyterian Church, 1030 E. Casino Road, Everett.
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To Make Sure That We Do Not Forget

Nobel Peace Prize winner and foundress of the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa brought the homeless, sick, destitute and dying home to “die like angels.” She attributed her many charitable works to her daily Holy Hours of prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Mother Teresa said, “I know I would not be able to work one week if it were not for that continual force coming from Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.”

“On the Cross Jesus said: ‘I thirst.’ From the Blessed Sacrament Jesus continues to say to each of us: ‘I thirst.’ He thirsts for our personal love, our intimacy, our union with Him in the Blessed Sacrament. His longing for us to be with Him in the Blessed Sacrament is infinitely greater than our longing to be with Him.” “Put your sins in the chalice for the precious blood to wash away. One drop is capable of washing away the sins of the world.”

“The Eucharist is connected with the Passion. If Jesus had not established the Eucharist we would have forgotten the crucifixion. It would have faded into the past and we would have forgotten that Jesus loved us. There is a saying that to be far away from the eyes is to be far away from the heart. To make sure that we do not forget, Jesus gave us the Eucharist as a memorial of his love.” “When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”

“Our lives must be woven around the Eucharist . . . fix your eyes on Him Who is the light; bring your hearts close to His Divine Heart; ask Him to grant you the grace of knowing Him, the love of loving Him, the courage to serve Him. Seek Him fervently.” “To be alone with Jesus in adoration and intimate union with Him is the greatest gift of love—the tender love of our Father in Heaven.”

“All of us know that unless we believe and can see Jesus in the appearance of bread on the altar, we will not be able to see him in the distressing disguise of the poor. Therefore these two loves are but one in Jesus.”

“If we really understand the Eucharist, if we really center our lives on Jesus' Body and Blood, if we nourish our lives with the Bread of the Eucharist, it will be easy for us to see Christ in that hungry one next door, the one lying in the gutter, the alcoholic man we shun, our husband or our wife, or our restless child. For in them, we will recognize the distressing disguises of the poor: Jesus in our midst.”
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Shipwrecked and Sugar-Coated

At first glance, some may live life as though the depths of human brokenness belong only to say, the homeless or the prisoner, for example. In reality, our faith teaches us that all have sinned and all are therefore broken. Saint Teresa of Avila once said, “There is nothing here about the world’s system that I like.” The whole, entire place is broken. She longed for heaven.

Over the past nine months, bloggers and readers were asked if, while growing up, they were given the truth about our human condition. They were asked the question . . .

Did your parents, teachers and religious leaders prepare you for the “shipwrecked” human condition rampant in the world today? Or, do you think their message was sugar-coated. It left you to figure out the truth of our human brokenness on your own?

The majority, 58% felt as though they received the "sugar-coated" version. Quite possibly it contained a message that seemed to ignore the fact that all of us are extremely broken and in need of a Savior.

About 42% believe that the message they received while growing up was the direct, "shipwrecked" version. It’s here where one may have discovered that addictions, confusion, hatred, unforgiveness and the worst of all human tendencies is within all of us.

Thank you for participating. Scroll down to near the bottom of this main page and vote in all polls. Your opinion counts!
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Command, Command!

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Wealth is useless on the day of wrath, but virtue saves from death. Proverbs 11:4

Many are the needs of the poor around us. Even the rich are poor in virtue if they fail to give. Great is the generosity of God, who has given us all things in Christ. May he help us to share with the least, and so we pray:

R Lord, hear the cry of the poor!

For those who go to bed hungry,
- that they may be fed by those who have way more food than they need. R

For those who suffer the diseases of poverty,
- that they may find help from those who suffer the diseases of affluence. R

For those who are neglected,
- that they may find care from those who are loved. R

For those who live this life in homelessness,
- that they may be granted an eternal home. R

O God, you loved the poor of this world so much, that you gave us your only-begotten Son for our salvation. Grant that we who have received such an enormous gift from you, may not withhold from those in need any gift that lies within our power to give, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Needing a Savior and Saving a Life is Part of the Human Condition

It’s a story nothing short of amazing. A handful of homeless men lifted a 2 ton Cadillac off a little girl who was pinned beneath it. One of the heroes is a New Mexico man (photo) who credits his tribal heritage for saving the girl’s life.

The man who helped save 9-year-old Robyn Rubio’s life is not only tearful, but humble when he talks about his act of bravery.

“I don’t want to be called a hero,” said Stanford Washburn.

Washburn, a person who has nothing, gave everything he had to rescue Robyn. He even credits his Navajo heritage with saving her life.

“I chanted for her, ‘Please don’t leave us, be with us, be well, be well.’ That’s my chant,” said Washburn.

Washburn calls Shiprock, N.M., his home, but right now he’s homeless. The rescue took place while he was drinking in an alley near the Las Vegas strip in Nevada when he saw a Cadillac hit Robyn head-on. Washburn and several other transients jumped up and ran to help, miraculously lifting the 5,000 pound car off of Robin’s tiny body.

“I know she was scared, I know she was real scared,” said Tina Rubio, Robyn’s mother. Her daughter had to undergo treatment many days in intensive care.

What Robyn will know one day is that a homeless man from New Mexico saved her life. But it’s likely he won’t be the one to tell her. He’s much too humble.

“I’m just one of you guys, a red-blooded human being,” said Washburn.

A spokesperson for the Las Vegas Police Department said he doubts the men could have picked up the car if a child had not been underneath it. They also said it shows how humans regardless of their circumstances react to saving a life.
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15 Promises that Prevent Eternal Homelessness

Our Blessed Mother, made 15 promises to those who say the Rosary daily. She told these promises in her appearance to Saint Dominic, when in approximately 1209, she taught him the rosary. At the time, he was struggling with blasphemous pagan villagers in the South of France, to whom he was preaching the Gospel with great difficulty. Here is what Mary said . . .

1. To all those who shall pray my Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and great graces.

2. Those who shall persevere in the recitation of my Rosary will receive [additional] special grace.

3. The Rosary will be a very powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice, deliver from sin and dispel heresy.

4. The Rosary will make virtue and good works flourish, and will obtain for souls the most abundant divine mercies. It will draw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5. Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary will not perish.

6. Whoever recites my Rosary devoutly reflecting on the mysteries, shall never be overwhelmed by misfortune. He will not experience the anger of God nor will he perish by an unprovided death. The sinner will be converted; the just will persevere in grace and merit eternal life.

7. Those truly devoted to my Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite my Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces and will share in the merits of the blessed.

9. I will deliver promptly from purgatory souls devoted to my Rosary.
Purgatory is a place of cleansing. It is God's mudroom.

10. True children of my Rosary will enjoy great glory in heaven.

11. What you shall ask through my Rosary you shall obtain.

12. To those who propagate my Rosary I promise aid in all their necessities. You will be assisted in all your needs if you encourage others to pray the Rosary.

13. I have obtained from my Son that all the members of the Rosary Confraternity shall have as their intercessors, in life and in death, the entire celestial court.

14. Those who recite my Rosary faithfully are my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination.
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Good Samaritan or Levite and the Priest?

If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?

1 John 3:17

The poor are all around us, aren’t they? It can be a coworker that is shunned by the “popular ones”. Quite possibly, it is the person who struggles to read a sign or is confused in finding their way. Can it be our neighbor, a shut-in or someone around us who is unemployed? Our wealth is not always our money. Wealth may also be our time, our interest in another, our compassion and concern. It is whatever good that God has done for us that another is lacking.

We sinned each day we passed you by
And did not bind your wound,
To this one’s pain and that one’s cry
Remaining unattuned

So doing to the very least,
We did, O Lord, to you;
For, like the Levite and the priest,
We had so much to do.

We left you lying there for dead,
Abandoned and unhealed;
In your unheeded cry for bread,
Selfishness is revealed!
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Flunking Faith?

New York Times writer, Laurie Goodstein, reports today that researchers from the independent Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life phoned more than 3,400 Americans and asked them 32 questions about the Bible, Christianity and other world religions, famous religious figures and the constitutional principles governing religion in public life.

On average, people who took the survey answered half the questions incorrectly, and many flubbed even questions about their own faith.

Those who scored the highest were atheists and agnostics, as well as two religious minorities: Jews and Mormons. The results were the same even after the researchers controlled for factors like age and racial differences.

“Even after all these other factors, including education, are taken into account, atheists and agnostics, Jews and Mormons still outperform all the other religious groups in our survey,” said Greg Smith, a senior researcher at Pew.

That finding might surprise some, but not Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, an advocacy group for nonbelievers that was founded by Madalyn Murray O’Hair.

“I have heard many times that atheists know more about religion than religious people,” Mr. Silverman said. “Atheism is an effect of that knowledge, not a lack of knowledge. I gave a Bible to my daughter. That’s how you make atheists.”

Among the topics covered in the survey were: Where was Jesus born? What is Ramadan? Whose writings inspired the Protestant Reformation? Which Biblical figure led the exodus from Egypt? What religion is the Dalai Lama? Joseph Smith? Mother Teresa? In most cases, the format was multiple choice.

The researchers said that the questionnaire was designed to represent a breadth of knowledge about religion, but was not intended to be regarded as a list of the most essential facts about the subject. Most of the questions were easy, but a few were difficult enough to discern which respondents were highly knowledgeable.

On questions about the Bible and Christianity, the groups that answered the most right were Mormons and white evangelical Protestants.

On questions about world religions, like Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism, the groups that did the best were atheists, agnostics and Jews.

One finding that may grab the attention of policy makers is that most Americans wrongly believe that anything having to do with religion is prohibited in public schools.

An overwhelming 89 percent of respondents, asked whether public school teachers are permitted to lead a class in prayer, correctly answered no.

But fewer than one of four knew that a public school teacher is permitted “to read from the Bible as an example of literature.” And only about one third knew that a public school teacher is permitted to offer a class comparing the world’s religions.

The survey’s authors concluded that there was “widespread confusion” about “the line between teaching and preaching.”

Mr. Smith said the survey appeared to be the first comprehensive effort at assessing the basic religious knowledge of Americans, so it is impossible to tell whether they are more or less informed than in the past.

The phone interviews were conducted in English and Spanish in May and June. There were not enough Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu respondents to say how those groups ranked.

Clergy members who are concerned that their congregants know little about the essentials of their own faith will no doubt be appalled by some of these findings:

· Fifty-three percent of Protestants could not identify Martin Luther as the man who started the Protestant Reformation.

· Forty-five percent of Catholics did not know that their church teaches that the consecrated bread and wine in holy communion are not merely symbols, but actually become the body and blood of Christ.

· Forty-three percent of Jews did not know that Maimonides, one of the foremost rabbinical authorities and philosophers, was Jewish.

The question about Maimonides was the one that the fewest people answered correctly. But 51 percent knew that Joseph Smith was Mormon, and 82 percent knew that Mother Teresa was Roman Catholic.

INTERACTIVE: Would you like to test your knowledge of faith and religion? Try answering a few of the questions in the survey presented by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Go to: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/09/28/us/religion-quiz.html?ref=us
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Surprisingly, Everyone is in One Hundred Percent Agreement!

Over the past nine months, readers participated in a poll that is based upon a real-life story: A shopkeeper has for many months now, been finding a homeless man sleeping on the front stoop when opening at 5:30am. Cordially, he offers the man a cup of coffee, and then the use of the bathroom. But he laments, “I can’t keep doing this every morning.” What would you do?

Surprisingly, there was no disagreement between any of the respondents!

None would, “Tell the man to quit sleeping there.”

Also, none would, “Tell the man, ‘I have limits – I can’t keep doing this every morning.’”

Amazingly, one hundred percent of those polled would, “Continue to help the man for as long as he keeps showing up.”

Thank you for participating in the survey. Please scroll down to near the bottom of this main page and vote in all the polls. Your opinion counts!
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