Our Parish Wants to Help
Poverty, homelessness, hunger, food insecurity, addiction and untreated mental illness continue to ravage our sisters and brothers in Green Bay and beyond. As a Christian community, we are obligated to recognize the dignity of every woman, man, and child. Their mental or physical condition and economic status do not affect our positive recognition of their value.
Our parish community continues to serve the hungry, the homeless, and the poor the best way that we can. We do not have a daily meal like N.E.W. Community Shelter, but we offer food through our Tuesday Food Pantry, our daily sandwich distribution, and serve a monthly meal at the shelter. We are not a shelter like St. John Ministries or N.E.W. Community Shelter, but we have people who find comfort here every day. Some people rest or sleep in our hallways, or in the church itself. Some stop in to use the bathrooms, to wash up, and to brush their teeth. We are not a focused charitable agency like St. Vincent de Paul Society, but we help people at times of crisis with utility bills, rent payments, and other financial burdens. Occasionally, we may help someone with a few nights in a hotel, but this is not an efficient or effective way to remedy homelessness. We encourage the homeless to use the caseworkers in the social service agencies in order to find interim and long-term solutions.
We do not allow people to drink on our church property. At times people attempt to drink and to hide it from others. Sometimes people arrive already inebriated. If we encounter them and they are disrespectful of others, or if they are unable to take care of themselves, we may call the police. We attempt to treat everyone with respect and try to keep our interactions calm.
As recently as last week, Thursday, June 16th, I had to ask someone who was drunk to leave the hallway near the Parish Center. I spoke to him, addressing him by name, and asked him to leave until he was sober. One of the other homeless persons warned him that the police may be called. I assured him that I did not want to call the police. All he had to do was get up and leave for a few hours until he was sober. He left quietly.
Our parish is not a refuge for those who have been on drinking binges. Our parish wants to help those who want to help themselves. Even addicts can arrive at a decisive moment for change and recovery. We hope to be of assistance. Every day we pray for the addicted, that they may begin recovery or persevere in recovery. We also pray for those who were harmed by the addict, that they may experience healing.
May the poor be blessed through our relationships with them. May we see “them” as US!
Peace, Fr. Andy