Rock Star Pope

In February, Pope Francis became the first pope to grace the cover of the rock music magazine, "Rolling Stone" with an in-depth profile entitled, appropriately, "The Times They are a Changing." From providing haircuts and showers at the Vatican for the homeless to lessons of mercy and not to judge others, he has become a hero for a Church once overly focused on the law and condemnation of others.
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Servants of the Father of Mercy

Donate: http://servantsofthefather.org/donate_2_homeless  

Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

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Lent Reflection - Reflexión Cuaresma

The justice system here on earth has evolved over time to six possible forms of repayment a person might be required to make at the request of a judge once someone confesses and asks pardon for a crime.  It is here that we may find a correlation with the earthly justice system and the somewhat similar heavenly justice and mercy of God.

1.  On Earth:  A judge may require a fine to be paid.

1.  In Heaven:  The Lord, the just judge asks sinners to give liberal tithes, alms and donations to the poor.

2.  On Earth:  A judge may require restitution – to go and make right what we did wrong.

2.  In Heaven:  The Lord taught us to go to those we have wronged or hurt and to forgive as he has forgiven us.

3.  On Earth:  A judge may demand community service hours.

3.  In Heaven:  The Lord commands us to clothe the naked, visit the sick, give water to the thirsty and go to those in prison.

4.  On Earth:  A judge may sentence a person to incarceration.

4.  In Heaven:  God may judge at the moment of one’s death a time in Purgatory is required.

5.  On Earth/In Heaven:  Justice may require a combination of all the above.

6.  On Earth:  Lastly, a judge may sentence the person to the death penalty.

6.  In Heaven:  Ultimately, God in his justice may sentence the person to hell.

El sistema de justicia aquí en la tierra ha evolucionado con el tiempo a seis posibles formas de reembolso una persona puede ser obligada a realizar a petición de un juez una vez que alguien confiesa y pide perdón por un crimen. Es aquí donde podemos encontrar una correlación con el sistema de justicia terrenal y la justicia celestial algo similar y la misericordia de Dios.

1. En la Tierra: Un juez puede requerir una multa a pagar.

1. En el Cielo: El Señor, el justo juez pide a los pecadores a dar diezmos liberales, limosnas y donaciones a los pobres.

2. En la Tierra: Un juez puede requerir la restitución - de ir y hacer lo correcto que hicimos mal.

2. En el Cielo: El Señor nos enseñó a ir a aquellos que hemos ofendido o herido y perdonar como él nos ha perdonado.

3. En la Tierra: Un juez puede exigir horas de servicio comunitario.

3. En el Cielo: El Señor nos manda a vestir al desnudo, visitar a los enfermos, dar de beber al sediento y vaya a los encarcelados.

4. En la Tierra: Un juez puede condenar a una persona a la encarcelación.

4. En el Cielo: Dios puede juzgar en el momento de la muerte de uno se requiere un tiempo en el Purgatorio.

5. En la Tierra / In Heaven: Justicia puede requerir una combinación de todo lo anterior.

6. En la Tierra: Por último, un juez puede condenar a la persona a la pena de muerte.

6. En el Cielo: En última instancia, Dios en su justicia puede condenar a la persona al infierno.
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Servants of the Father of Mercy

Donate: http://servantsofthefather.org/donate_2_homeless  

Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

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Demos Gracias a Dios!

Thanks be to God for each Servant of the Father of Mercy that served and each person that gave Lenten gifts of food and water for the homeless at Holy Cross Church in Moorpark - Msgr. Albee, Maggie, Frank, Mike, Miguel, Nancy, Linda, Danny, Julissa and others!

Demos gracias a Dios por cada Siervo del Padre de Misericordia que sirvió y cada persona que dio dones cuaresmales de alimentos y agua para las personas sin hogar en la Iglesia de la Santa Cruz en Moorpark - Mons. Albee, Maggie, Frank, Mike, Miguel, Nancy, Linda, Danny, Julissa y otros!

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Servants of the Father of Mercy

Donate: http://servantsofthefather.org/donate_2_homeless  

Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

Subscribe to the blog:  www.HomelessinAmerica.blogspot.com  

Follow us on Twitter: GaryJoseph@Help_4Homeless      

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrotherGaryJoseph

Who you going to call?

Who you going to call for street delivery to the homeless? May God bless everyone, one and all who made successful Servants of the Father of Mercy StreetReach this past Saturday:

1. Noah's Bagels, Ventura, CA

2. Brio Bakery, Ventura, CA

3. Saint Peter's Church, Los Angeles, CA

4. Kairos, Santa Paula, CA

5. Altadena Dairy, Altadena, CA

6. Our Lady Rosary Makers, Santa Barbara, CA

Here are a few pictures from the day serving the poor . . .

¿Quién te va a llamar para la entrega de la calle a las personas sin hogar? Que Dios bendiga a cada uno, uno y todos los que hicieron los Servidores del Padre de Misericordia StreetReach el pasado sábado:

1. Noé Bagels, Ventura, CA

2. Brio Panadería, Ventura, CA

3. Iglesia de San Pedro, Los Angeles, CA

4. Kairos, Santa Paula, CA

5. Altadena Lácteos, Altadena, CA

6. Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Santa Barbara, CA

Aquí están algunas fotos del día al servicio de los pobres. . .

Youth and Family Night

Many thanks to Fr. Paul from the church Saint Jullie Billiart in Newbury Park, CA for Lent Mass at last Friday Youth and Family Night at Servants of the Father of Mercy in Ventura, CA.  May God bless the team, all the moms, dads and children that came to pray and support our homeless family.

Muchas gracias a Fr. Pablo de la iglesia de Saint Jullie Billiart en Newbury Park, CA para la misa de Cuaresma al último viernes Juventud y Noche Familiar en Siervos del Padre de la Misericordia en Ventura, CA. Que Dios bendiga el equipo, todas las mamás, los papás y los niños que vinieron a orar y apoyar a nuestra familia sin hogar.

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Servants of the Father of Mercy

Donate: http://servantsofthefather.org/donate_2_homeless  

Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

Subscribe to the blog:  www.HomelessinAmerica.blogspot.com  

Follow us on Twitter: GaryJoseph@Help_4Homeless      

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrotherGaryJoseph

New Website

 

With team photos from Anaheim and Costa Mesa to our homeless family in Los Angeles and Ventura, Servants of the Father of Mercy - we've updated our website.  Visit and check out the photos and tabs - share with your family and friends.

Con fotos del equipo de Anaheim, Costa Mesa para personas sin hogar en Los Angeles y Ventura, Siervos del Padre de Misericordia, - Hemos actualizado nuestra página web. Visita y echa un vistazo a las fotos y las fichas - compartir con su familia y amigos.

http://www.ServantsoftheFather.org

Shave and a Hair Cut

Homeless men and women lined up yesterday near St. Peter's Square to take advantage of Pope Francis' latest: a free shave and shower for the homeless.

Mauro Casubolo, 49, was one of the first clients as the pope's barbershop opened in the public restrooms just off the Bernini Colonnade. His chin was still red from the shave — his first in three weeks — but he was grateful.

"It's a beautiful thing he's done for us, especially for us who live in the middle of the streets, because if you want to try to go find some work you can come here and have a shower," he said.

Francis' chief alms-giver, Monsignor Konrad Krajewski, has said the project is needed since homeless people are often shunned for their appearance and smell. The initiative is being funded by donations and the sale of papal parchments by Krajewski's office.

Barbers volunteering on their days off — Rome's barber shops are often closed Mondays — as well as students from a local beauty school are donating their time, as well as some sisters from religious orders and other volunteers.

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Servants of the Father of Mercy

Donate: http://servantsofthefather.org/donate_2_homeless  

Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

Subscribe to the blog:  www.HomelessinAmerica.blogspot.com  

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Pope Francis: Shun "It's all about me!"

In today’s news from Reuters in Vatican City - Pope Francis urged Roman Catholic leaders to avoid “it’s all about me” closed system but that the Church's credibility rested on its ability to help the poor and persecuted way out on the margins of society.

Francis called for a more merciful and compassionate Church in the homily of a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for new cardinals who were installed on Saturday.  He urged the Cardinals to pay attention to the imprisoned, sick, unemployed and persecuted and to those who have lost their faith, as well as atheists.

"The way of the Church is precisely to leave her four walls behind and to go out in search of those who are distant, those on the outskirts of life," the pope said.

"We will not find the Lord unless we truly accept the marginalized (people) . . .  Truly the Gospel of the marginalized is where our credibility is at stake."

This week!  Stay in touch with your faith and the poor – join the Servants of the Father of Mercy this Wednesday - Ash Wednesday at 5pm for all of our team members, friends and family for ashes and a communion service.

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Servants of the Father of Mercy

Donate: http://servantsofthefather.org/donate_2_homeless  

Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

Subscribe to the blog:  www.HomelessinAmerica.blogspot.com  

Follow us on Twitter: GaryJoseph@Help_4Homeless      

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Sleek and Strong

 

Today's Hollywood red carpet news? Jane Fonda still at sexpot at 77! (photo)

 

"But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I almost lost my foothold.  I envied the arrogant when I saw their prosperity.  They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.  They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by the usual human ills.  Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.  From their callous hearts comes iniquity their evil imaginations have no limits.  They scoff [at God], and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression of the poor.  However, paradoxically their mouths lay claim to heaven, but their tongues take possession of the earth.  Therefore the people turn to them and drink up their waters in abundance.  They say, “How could God know?  Does the Most High know anything?”

“But now I remember this, that the arrogant are always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.  Surely it must be in vain that another keeps his heart pure and have washed their hands in the waters of innocence.  You see, all day long I am afflicted in poverty and every morning brings new punishments.  When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply, that is until I entered the sanctuary of God;     then I understood their final destiny.

“Surely God, you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.  How suddenly they are destroyed, completely swept away!  They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord,    you will despise them as fantasies.  And so I have decided to be with you Lord; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73

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Servants of the Father of Mercy

Donate: http://servantsofthefather.org/donate_2_homeless  

Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

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New York - New York!



Photo - Some homeless live obscurely in water drenched tunnels underneath New York City.

 

Nearing the Los Angeles Region in Number of Homeless

AFP reports today that New York may be famous abroad for glitz, glamor and Park Avenue billionaires but America's biggest city has passed a grim milestone -- a record 60,000 people are homeless.

In November, there were 60,352 homeless people in the city, including 25,000 children, up more than 10 percent from the 53,615 who were homeless in January 2014, according to the website "Charity Coalition for the Homeless".

Patrick Markee, deputy executive director for Advocacy Coalition for the Homeless blames it on the city's housing affordability crisis, policies of previous mayor Michael Bloomberg and failures in restoring permanent housing assistance for homeless families and children.

On Tuesday, Mayor de Blasio made affordable housing a key promise of his administration in 2015.  "We commit to ending chronic veterans homelessness by the end of this year. Those who fight to protect our freedom abroad should never be left without a home," he said.

He also promised 10,000 affordable housing units for the elderly -- who "deserve to retire in dignity" and people on fixed incomes with little recourse when housing costs go up."

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Servants of the Father of Mercy

Donate: http://servantsofthefather.org/donate_2_homeless  

Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

Subscribe to the blog:  www.HomelessinAmerica.blogspot.com  

Follow us on Twitter: GaryJoseph@Help_4Homeless      

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