Passing The Buck: Can We Do Better?

by Peter Maurin

In the first centuries of Christianity
the poor were fed, clothed, and sheltered
at a personal sacrifice
and the Pagans
said about the Christians:
"See how they love each other."

Today the poor are fed, clothed, and sheltered
by the politicians
at the expense
of the taxpayers.

And because the poor
are no longer
fed, clothed, and sheltered
at a personal sacrifice
but at the expense
of taxpayers
Pagans say about Christians:
"See how they pass the buck."
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Mobile Homeless Unplugged

By Dan Foran

Ten men clamber out of the creaking van,
Their sweaty bodies meeting a kiss
Of cool night air.
They drift, silently, sullenly
Toward the darkened church.
Mattresses lie, two or three to a room,
Along walls decorated with children’s
Drawings and almost casual crucifixions.
Carl, Eddie, Jake and the others
Throw their worn packs and bags
Onto the makeshift beds, and John,
It’s always John, is first to ask
If he can have his sack lunch now,
Not in the morning as we had planned.
“Sure,” I say, almost as anxious as he
To assuage this remediable hunger.
Several echo John, and soon all
Are feasting on pb and j; apples, celery,
And other healthy fare remains on the table,
But they’re happier now, even communicative.
One thanks me for setting a new pair of white socks
On each mattress. Another offers a juice cup
To a friend. “Lights out!” Rick calls at ten,
And no one argues, no one hesitates. Sleep
Knits once more the raveled sleeve of care,
Obliterates the hurt, soothes the jangled nerves.
Tomorrow will be another day,
Another cheerless day embroidered
With small triumphs, fragile dreams.
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Homeless “Peace Pilgrim”

An American homeless woman, who died in 1981, is now simply known as “Peace Pilgrim.” She walked alone and penniless "as a prayer" more than 25,000 miles across America to inspire others to pray and work for peace. Her message was simple -"This is the way of peace: Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love."

Her 28-year pilgrimage started in 1953. She would not tell you her real name this silver-haired lady with penetrating blue eyes "Peace Pilgrim" is the only name she wished to carry. And she would not tell you the years that she had spent in this world although a friend said she was probably around 80 when she died in a car accident in Indiana in 1981 on her way to a speaking engagement. After walking 25,000 miles, which took her until 1964, she stopped counting the miles.

Although she mostly slept under the stars without a sleeping bag she never had another headache or pain or cold once she started her pilgrimage. Carrying in her tunic pockets her only worldly possessions: a comb, a folding toothbrush, a ball point pen and her current mail. She vowed, "I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food." She talked with people on dusty roads and city streets, in churches, colleges, to civic groups, on TV and radio discussing peace within and without. Once, while sleeping the night on a bench in New York’s Grand Central Station, she heard a choir of heavenly angels with the sweetest songs consoling and inspiring her and then a locution from the Lord, who softly whispered in her ear, “You are my beloved daughter in whom I am well pleased.”
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It is for Freedom

It is for freedom, Christ has set us free . . . You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:1, 13-15

R We cry out to you, O Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who are in prison,
- that they may granted true freedom. R

For those who are trapped in addictions,
- that they may recover their true self. R

For those who deny your existence and defy your presence,
- that they may discover the freedom of Christ. R

For those stuck on the road of poverty and homelessness,
- that they may meet a savior along the way. R

For those who are held captive in body and spirit, especially those who minister the Gospel,
- that they may receive the consolation of your presence. R

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25
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Promises, Promises

God’s promises stand firm for those people who help the poor:
1. If you get in trouble, God will rescue you.
2. God will protect you.
3. Others will see you as blessed from God.
4. God will not allow your enemies to have the last word.
5. If you get sick, God will be right there sustaining you and healing you.

“Blessed are those who have regard for the poor;
the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
The Lord protects and preserves them—
they are counted among the blessed in the land—
he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.” Psalm 41:1-3
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Valentine’s Day: “Sock It To Me”

TheJoyofSox.org, serving cities from Philadelphia to San Antonio, TX is trying to institute a new national holiday: National Socks for the Homeless Day on Valentine’s Day.

So in addition to giving your loved one flowers, candy and a card on Valentine’s Day they also want you to remember the homeless by donating a 6-pack of socks directly to the homeless or to one of their local The Joy of Sox chapters.

The organization has been successful in their efforts. Last month, St Thomas the Apostle School in Philadelphia, PA conducted a major socks drive. All students in pre-K through 8th grade got involved. The students collected socks for the needy children their own age. Our Mother of Consolation School jumped on board and did the same.

So remember, nothing says Valentine’s Day better than by donating new warm socks to the homeless - National Socks for the Homeless Day on Valentine’s Day.
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The Wealthy Dwelling Space of the Homeless According to St. Francis

Praised be thou, my Lord, with all thy creatures, especially my Lord, Brother Sun that dawns and lightens us.

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars that thou hast made bright and precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Wind, and for the air and cloud and the clear sky and for all weathers through which thou givest sustenance to thy creatures.

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water, that is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire, through whom thou dost illumine the night, and comely is he and glad and bold and strong.

Be praised my Lord, for Sister, Our Mother Earth, that doth cherish and keep us and produces various fruits with colored flowers and the grass.

(Excerpt from, St. Francis of Assisi, Johannes Jorgensen, Doubleday - Image Books, New York, 1975, p. 259)
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"It Only Takes a Spark to Get a Fire Going"

More than forty years ago, Kurt Kaiser and Ralph Carmichael crafted the award winning youth musical “Tell It Like It Is” and from it, gifted a timeless song to the church, “Pass It On.” As the lyrics go, they speak to everyone, young and old . . . “It only takes a spark, to get a fire going. And soon all those around, can warm up in its glowing.”

Over the years, many churches and liturgies have marked the song with candle services and fire light passing from hand-to-hand until the entire sanctuary becomes filled with light.

That’s how it is with Homeless in America blog. It just takes a person like you to take a moment and “Pass It On” to your family and friends. Will you make a small effort today to become a big voice for the poor homeless? If we don’t speak up for them, who will?

Pass along an invitation to your pastor, clergy, church family and friends - to as many as you think will be receptive to please come along for the journey and become a “Follower” of this blog or to “Subscribe.”

Thank you and God bless you for participating in Homeless in America's new member drive!
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Wit and Wisdom of Ronald Reagan Helps Launch a New Poll

Ronald Reagan was known for both his sense of humor and his straight-forward, no-nonsense jibes. They are often called “reaganisms.” "I hope you're all Republicans," he said, speaking to surgeons as he entered the operating room following a 1981 assassination attempt. If he did not know the answer, like some, he was compelled to make them up. He once remarked, "Trees cause more pollution than automobiles." And along the same lines, "All the waste in a year from a nuclear power plant can be stored under a desk."

The homeless did not escape his sometimes odd observations. He once remarked, "What we have found in this country, and maybe we're more aware of it now, is one problem that we've had, even in the best of times, and that is the people who are sleeping on the grates, the homeless who are homeless, you might say, by choice."

Today, a new poll is launched. How do you perceive the homeless? For instance, some would say, "don't help the homeless," because it is believed they are there primarily by choice. Yet others do wish to help the homeless, believing they are there primarily because of complex societal and personal factors. Please scroll down to near the bottom of this main page and take part in this and all the polls. Your vote counts. Thank you for your participation!

And lastly, a parting bit of wit from President Reagan that never made it to broadcast . . . "My fellow Americans. I'm pleased to announce that I've signed legislation outlawing the Soviet Union. We begin bombing in five minutes." - joking during a mike check before a weekly Saturday radio broadcast.
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What are we seeing? Is it time for an eye checkup?

By Father Bro

It is said that at the end of the nineteenth century Saint John Bosco had to spend a short time in Paris. He went to the rectory of a large church, in the center of Paris. Seeing this Italian priest, who was perhaps of poor appearance and no doubt with hesitant French, the parish priest gave him a room in the attic, on the sixth floor. Several years later, the priest was questioned in Rome about John Bosco during the canonization process [for sainthood]. He made this naïve as well as awesome remark: “Well, of course, if we had known he was a saint, we wouldn’t have put him on the sixth floor!”

In this regard, we need only read once again Chapter 25 of Saint Matthew, which contains the great scene of the last judgment of men and nations. “Lord when did we see you hungry . . . or thirsty . . . or a stranger? Amen I say to you, as long as you did it for one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it for me.” “Well, of course, if we had known he was a saint . . .” It was Christ himself . . .
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Saints & Valentines

Last Saturday was an early delivery of handmade Valentine's Day cards to the homeless. Youth from Santa Paula's our Lady of Guadalupe Church got together and made 200 cards, all with personalized messages, candy and designs. One card was crafted like a boat. It said, "With God you can sail away." Flipping the boat to the other side it said, "Happy Valentines Day."

All-in-all, the day came together because of a lot of saints! Noah's Bagels donated 100s of fresh bagels, Sunkist gave 100s of fresh oranges, the children of St. Sebastian's School donated 100s of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and many of the "Servants" donated water and cookie snacks. When the delivery was complete, dozens of homeless women and men could be seen around town sitting on curbs, happily reading and rereading their Valentines Day cards.
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