Responding to the call to be the "Hands of Christ", St. Theodore's Delphi Rise team is assisting the Delphi Rise Agency by supporting the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities facing help and social issues on those released from a state prison.
During Thanksgiving week this past November, I was dog sitting for a young Australian Shepherd named Sir Mick Jagger, or Jagger for short. I want to share an experience I had with you.
As I walked Jagger near Parcel 5 and Main Street downtown, a man approached me to ask if I knew where shelters for men were. He had been released from Prison and had nowhere to stay, he said. He didn't have
family or friends here. A kind policeman had driven him to men's shelters, like Salvation Army, Open Door Mission, and the Catholic Worker, but they were full for the night. I didn't know of any other places. The kind policeman
told him to call next day if he hadn't found a place yet, and he would try to help him again.
It was bitterly cold that week, dangerous really. Arctic air had swept down on Rochester, frostbite weather. The man had no hat or gloves, only a jacket. When I asked if he wanted my gloves, he said yes, and they fit him well.
Jagger the dog jumped up on his chest, as if to give him a hug, and the man hugged him back. He thanked me for the gloves, and then wandered off.
I had many feelings, one following the other. I was happy to share my gloves, yet I also felt helpless, as they were all I had to share. I felt sad that after doing his prison time, he was now homeless. I also felt angry. Why wasn't there enough room for him somewhere, and why was he just dropped off to fend for himself?
I thought of the play Les Miserables where the main character steals a loaf of bread out of desperation. I hoped this man wouldn't commit more crimes, also out of desperation. And I worried about him in this bitter cold;
I prayed for him then and for many days after. My hands were freezing by now, so I headed back to the apartment where we were staying. At least Jagger and I had warm beds to spend the night in, and food to eat, while that man had nothing.
For Pete's sake, something is not right with this picture!
Here at St. Theodores, we have a newly-formed Prison Ministry. This small team of people has discerned the need to help people being released from the County Jail, men and women both, about 10 per week. We want to collect basic hygiene items for them, like a comb, toothbrush and paste, socks, razor and shaving cream, and so on. These will be placed in a simple canvas tote bag
and given to those being released. It sounds helpful, doesn't it? Doing nothing is NOT the answer!
The late Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker movement in 1933, had this to say: "No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do."
And so, during the 40 days of Lent, we will have receptacles in the church entrances, to collect basic hygiene items, which will be listed in the bulletin. We need to band together on this issue. Further, we ask some of you to please join our Ministry Team. In Matthew 25, Jesus mentions His wish that we help those in prison. He is very clear on this matter.
So, when you get to Heaven and meet our precious Savior, He may well say to you: thanks a lot Elizabeth and Molly, for those warm socks you gave me. Thank you, Fr. Kevin and Deacon Larry, for the toothbrushes and paste you shared. And Maureen, I really used the nail clippers, shampoo, and socks you and your young people gave Me! You may ask Him, but when did we do that for you, Lord ?
And He will say, because when you did this for my least brethren, you really did it for Me.