"You shall not oppress or afflict a resident alien, for you were once aliens residing in the land of Egypt."
Exodus 22:20
January Spotlight: Shelter the Homeless
We all have an image that comes to mind when we hear the word homeless, or shelter the homeless? Often, that image is of men and women on the streets in our cities, the common image we see in the media. Maybe you have encountered people who are homeless during your daily travels. Maybe you also call to mind images of people fleeing from their homes in Ukraine, and this may remind us of the tragic loss of so many fleeing from war in Syria and from conflict in Africa.
Why are people homeless? Is this a question you have considered? What comes to mind? Globally, things like war, gang violence, ethnic intimidation, natural disasters and state-supported terror cause people to flee their homes. Considering the common image of men and women in our streets, the cause is often more complex. Many of our homeless brothers and sisters face challenges such as: Mental health issues, addiction, domestic violence, human trafficking, and poverty.
What does it mean to live this Corporal Work of Mercy, to “Shelter the homeless,”? Sheltering the homeless may seem an opportunity to provide a basic need, but it must also mean more than ensuring everyone has a roof over her head. Think about your own home. Is your home somewhere where you feel safe, find comfort, experience family and community while creating memories? If so, than shelthering the homeless must be more than providing a roof over someone's head. The homeless shelters in our cities, the tents in refugee camps, the warehouses on our southern border are not homes but they are a necessary starting point.
What can we do to shelter the homeless and give them a place to call home? We cannot forget to perform the acts below as necessary steps but we also must pray! Praying for them and praying for people trying to address the problem with material support and with advocacy for policy and social change are the places to start making changes that will last.
We hope you will receive some inspiration from our saints of the month and look over the list of ways you can live this Work.
This month's Saintly Inspiration comes from:
St. Benedict Joseph Labre
Saint Benedict Joseph Labre "was a French mendicant, Franciscan tertiary, and Catholic saint. Labre was from a well to do family near Arras, France. After attempting a monastic lifestyle, he opted instead for the life of a pilgrim. He traveled to most of the major shrines of Europe, subsisting by begging. Labre is patron saint of the homeless." His feast day is April 16th. He is also a patron saint of beggars, bachelors, and the mentally ill.
St. Jerome Emiliani
St. Jerome Emiliani was born in 1486 in Venice. He was orphaned at a young age. He joined the Venetian army, and during his time as a soldier, Jerome did not care about God. However, he was captured; he then attributed his escape from prison to the Blessed Mother. After escaping, he made a pilgrimage to an Italian Marian shrine to honor and thank Mother Mary. After his pilgrimage, he began to care for the sick and orphans. Later in his life he founded the Somaschi Fathers to care for orphans, the poor, and the sick. He was canonized in 1767, and to this day the Somaschi Fathers continue to serve orphans. St. Jerome Emiliani is the patron saint of orphans.
Agents of Mercy - Your mission, should you choose to accept... to Shelter the Homeless
A few suggestions for agents of all ages:
- St. Ann's supports their own "Assistance Program" that provides emergency shelter or food for those in need in our Ashland community. We have volunteers who serve on an intake team fielding phone calls and we have a budget item to provide assistance. To volunteer or donate to this program contact the office at office@stannscc.org or call (804)798-5039.
- Carry a list of homeless shelters to refer people whom you meet:
- Caritas (804)358-0964
- Home Again (804)782-9778
- Commonwealth Catholic Charities (804)648-4177
- Support/volunteer at a local homeless shelter
- ACEs or Ashland Christian Emergency Services is an Ashland communty group that offers assistance with payment for electricity, rent, medications, and utilities to Hanover County residents living in zip codes 23005, 23059, and 23069.
- In the city of Richmond, Blessing Warriors RVA provides food, sleeping bags, clothing and more for those who are unsheltered on the streets. See their website for ways you can help.
- Become a mentor to a child in need. Check with local schools to see if they are looking for adult mentors for children/teens.
- Carry "Blessing Kits" in your car to hand out to those in need of shelter. Fill a bag with things like:
- emergency weather blankets instant hand warmers water
- gloves, mittens, socks rain ponchos travel size toothbrush and toothpaste
- deoderant baby powder/cornstarch sunscreen
- lotion quarters for a laundromat walmart gift cards
- food gift cards small first aid kits baby/body wipes
- Many homeless shelters need warm blankets for their beds. If you can knit or sew that would be an extra loving gift.
- There are millions of children and families who are on the move, fleeing from war, illness, hunger and impossible living conditions, and searching for peace and safety. Engage parish groups of children, youth, young adults, and families in doing some research on the causes and challenges that these families face to survive. Contact Catholic Social Services, or diocesan offices of peace and justice for help with your research. Seek ways to provide shelter for the homeless locally, regionally, nationally or internationally. Support/volunteer at Catholic Relief Services or Commonwealth Catholic Charities.
- Donate to Samaritan's Purse to help with Hurricane Helene and Milton relief
- Donate to Asheville Humane Society caring for pets rescued from Hurricane Helene
- Donate to an orphanage or foster program such as Boys Town.
- Help host a fundraiser for a family in the proccess of adopting a child.
- Prepare to assist others facing a natural disaster by storing, clothing, food and snacks.
- Advocate/vote for legislation which provides housing for low-income people.
- Consider serving as a foster parent. See Commonwealth Catholic Charities for more information.