Service
With the grace of God and the support of one another in community, members of A New Genesis Community engage in ministries in pastoral leadership, education, accounting, pastoral ministry, healthcare and chaplaincy. Others minister in prison reform, faith formation, meal programs, anti-human trafficking, tutoring, church music, library work, poll supervision, peer ministry, and care giving. Some of our retired members are called to a ministry of prayer.
This sign is at the entrance to
the parking lot at St Joseph Catholic Parish in Appleton
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GRAB & GO --COME ON IN. PART 1
~Carol Burns, Appleton, WI
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St Joe’s is a downtown Appleton parish with a heart for the poor staffed by Capuchin priests since 1877. The Capuchin’s closely follow the rule of St Francis reaching out to the poor, the homeless and the incarcerated population. “Capuchins can often be found working in soup kitchens, homeless shelters or in prison ministry.” *1
So it was not surprising that our Capuchin pastor, Brother Ray Stadmeyer, wanted to find a way in which St Joe’s could give back to the marginalized in Appleton. Ideas began to germinate when a few parishioners shared similar thoughts as his. The seeds were planted.
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​Grab & Go opened its doors to the homeless population in February of 2024. The upstart was slow. An occasional guest or two would wander in surveying what we had to offer. Each Tuesday afternoon we provided packable items such as breakfast bars,
fruit and beverages. Slowly our menu increased to include wrapped sandwiches and various packaged non- refrigerated food items that could easily be eaten on the go. Bottles of water and personal hygiene products are always in great demand.
By early April, we had occasion to help a family of five who were sleeping in their van -mom, dad, and three darling little girls ages 2-5. After about a six week period this family was fortunate to find housing with the help of the Veterans Referral Program in Steven’s Point where dad was hopeful to find a job.
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By early summer the downtown population knew who we were and began telling their friends about St Joe’s. Our numbers were increasing. We began seeing the same guests weekly –basically single individuals but occasionally family units, as well. Our menu once again changed. One day we served hot dogs and chip and the next week because we have a retired professional chef on staff we moved on to Homestyle cooking. And from that day forward the meals were prepared not only by our chef but also by the loving hands of many volunteers and parish members.
*1 www.Who Are We- Capuchins.org.
Grab and Go Part 2
~Carol Burns, Appleton
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The homeless situation is complex. On the one hand you can meet a young person living on the streets who may have left home as a result of an unsafe environment or because of a fight with a parent. On the other hand, you may meet an individual who’s just been released from prison-- or someone suffering with mental health issues. And in the middle???---a plethora of suffering souls: the hungry, the weak, the angry, the malnourished, the dysfunctional, the toothless, the ragged clothed, the shameful, the shoeless, the dirty, the smelly, the weeping, the smiling, the disagreeable, the fearful, the humorous, the inebriated, the paranoid, the socially inept, the loner, the kind, the grateful, the needy, the clinging, the sorrowful, the quiet, the loud, the generous, the mindful, and the leper like the one found by St Francis.
St Francis speaks of “The call to take up the cross of Christ (as) the invitation to be in solidarity with the crucified of the world” (the marginalized) “and to die with Christ in order to bring about the New Creation.” *2 And so we take up that cross—it’s heavy burden that brings disappointment and sorrow. And when we see that guest fall for the third time, we cry out---oh, not again kind soul, not again.
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I have a relationship with Brenda whom I met at another soup kitchen in Appleton. I invited her to join us at G&G. Brenda is a young woman who appears to be Bipolar. She has a long history of abuse and her children have been taken away from her. On one particular day she was in a manic state ranting about her life and how she has been mistreated by so many. She was angry and incoherent; there seemed to be no stopping her. As I watched her, I prayed for guidance—and the words came to me—hug her. I hugged her and she calmed down. Several weeks later she met me after church and we spoke. She was calm and told me she was tired of living like “this.” We spoke of her options. However, she remains outside of my reach.
That’s the plight of the homeless. We who are eager to help—to make things right for them -must accept the fact that we cannot change anyone. They alone must have the desire to change. Society, you and me, the local and federal governments are aware of the plight of the homeless and mentally challenged. And yet they are on the streets. Who will help? Do we with great reverence sing “ Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord??” Or do we go to the cross in imitation of Jesus?
*2 St Francis and the Foolishness of God by Dennis, M., Nangle, J., OFM, Lobeda, C, Taylor, S. p. 134