Shelter - We Serve One Another

“As the Body of Christ, We Serve One Another”

(Written by Steve Lavender for FEb 24, 2013, Forum Cover)

 I’m participating in the Rotating Homeless Shelter at St. Francis during Lent. Through this experience, my Lenten journey becomes a road shared with others. We walk together, anticipating an Easter season of gratitude.

With over 100 adult volunteers and hundreds of grade school students, I supported the Shelter Week in 2012, and I look forward to it again this year.

As we offer transportation, food and overnight support, we, adult volunteers, have an opportunity to spend time with our guests, twenty-five men staying for seven consecutive nights during the Lenten season.

Evenings in the gym provide these men an occasion to share a bit of their story, an opportunity to momentarily forget a piece of their story or perhaps a chance to see their story in a new and different light. During snack time, some men will quickly choose a snack and return to their sleeping space on the gym floor. Others however will spend snack time talking with parishioners. We often find that volunteers come to the shelter expecting only to serve snacks and beverages to our guests. Volunteers leave having served these men much more than food. Their greatest service was time and attention. In return our guests offer perspective, insight and always a sincere spirit of appreciation.

You are invited to join me!   Please consider volunteering in support of this year’s Rotating Shelter program or any of the other service opportunities available at St. Francis. Isaiah reminds us that through service, our “light shall break forth like the dawn”. As the Body of Christ, we are called not to be served but to serve one another.

Continue using your sack and activities calendar for our LENTEN PROGRAM
Sustain a House – Fight Poverty… Help a family … Help a community.   Learn more at: StFrancisA2.com/lent

Our Lenten Activities Calendar 2013  
Our PRAYERS of the Faithful Petitions During Masses 2013
Our ARTICLES, all tie into Habitat for Humanity's sustainable practices.