This Week God Brought Us..."Isabella"

This week God brought us… Isabella and the youth group from the parishes of St. Gall and St. Boniface in Colton and Uniontown. Isabella brought the dozen or so teenagers she ministers to up to Spokane for a visit to the House of Charity. While in our facility, they were able to serve lunch to our patrons and take a quick tour. They heard from shelter staff about what a typical day looks like and about the philosophy that guides our work. We shared the history of the program, how it has changed over the years but perseveres in a mission of providing basic services to uphold human dignity to men experiencing long-term homelessness. The teens asked good questions. We had received a donation of fresh flowers and the youth group jumped into the task of creating small bouquets to decorate the tables in the dining room. We stressed the value of sharing beauty with our patrons, one more way of acknowledging their dignity as children of God. A prayer in the chapel followed, where Isabella thanked God for the opportunity to encounter these brothers on the margins, for the work of the agency, and asked for the students to take what they learned home with them. We thanked Isabella and the youth group for the effort and intention they gave in traveling to visit those outside of their comfort zone. The simple act of their visit is an investment in seeing those society would rather not see, in helping to open doors to those whom society might prefer to keep doors shut. 

We are grateful, O God, for all those who work to encounter those it might be difficult to see.