"Instead of funding the status quo, we only invest in reform."

I am going to admit, before we go any further, that I am biased. About most things, but also about the State of the Union. So take what I’m going to say with a grain of salt. But I would like to discuss it, ever so delicately, because what Obama said is important, the issues addressed affect me and you, and because at the end of the day, and for better or worse, he is our president... at least until 2012.
For my very first State of the Union address (and Obama’s too, imagine that), I allowed myself to get caught up in the rhetoric for which Obama is known. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the party lines not-so-subtly approve or disapprove of the words coming from the podium. But in an effort to at least partially remove my rose-colored glasses, I read the transcript this morning and realize that, all politics aside, there seems to be a bend towards the people that is rolling in. As with many bureaucratic structures, sight of the individual, the worker, the everyday American is lost in the dollar signs, in the power, in the flexing of whatever muscles any institution has. For the sake of being the government, we have seen merciless effort to save face, both for individual politicians, but also as a nation in the competing global economy, at whatever cost.
But Obama’s incorporation of individual anecdotes in his talk, as well as the policies he wishes to enact reflect a desire to bring our government back to the ideals for which it was originally created, to protect and serve its citizens.
All politics aside, perhaps this shift in focus and ideal is what actually should permeate our government. No more haughtiness. No more self-righteousness. No more pride. Obama said we are no longer accepting the status quo and it is this idea that should nationally nay, internationally, guide our thoughts and actions.
He maybe neglected to address the current state of the union and delivered what seemed like yet another inauguration speech, but the fact remains that the message is important, vital, to the dissolution of the status quo.
I will carefully step down from my very high soap box now and leave you to ponder.
God bless!

Eco-friendly AND cost-efficient at St. Francis Inn? Sign me up!

St. Francis Inn Ministries has yet again amazed ourselves (and others) with our latest leap into the world of connectivity with the availability of The Pilgrim, our monthly newsletter, via email!!!
As was posted awhile back (November 18th), the Team signed the Catholic Climate Covenant, committing themselves and our Ministries to become more aware of our consumption and waste and to be better stewards of our God-given resources. Help us to be more eco-friendly and, inadvertently, more cost-efficient, by Clicking Here. All you have to do is give your email address and you, too, can be a part of our effort to be more eco-friendly!

Thank you and we look forward to connecting with you soon!

How did THAT happen???

The following can also be found under the News and Events page on www.stfrancisinn.org but I thought it was worth addressing here on this fine blog. Our numbers in the past year were lower than the year prior so I do some reflecting on what that means for us and for our guests. Enjoy!

Each year we compile the numbers of people served and the numbers for 2009 are confounding, if not shocking. In the midst of the greatest recession the country has faced since the Great Depression, we served 9,000 less meals in 2009 (146,000) than we did in 2008 (155,570). The “Great Recession” began in the fall of 2007, but it became more widely acknowledged mid-2008, with increasing coverage of the face of desperation that spread throughout the United States. Over the past year, local and national news have shed light on the countless individuals that have been affected by the economic downturn. You can’t turn on the TV or CNN.com without getting the latest unemployment rate nationwide and which state has the highest rate. You also heard endlessly about the charities that are suffering because their federal funds and private donors are waning as their requests for assistance are increasing.

This, among many other things, makes St. Francis Inn Ministries an anomaly. We’ve always known that our community and our humble ministry in north Philadelphia was unique, set apart, even a bit quirky. But after looking at our numbers, we consider ourselves blessed yet again to be able to serve our guests with the same quantity, quality, dignity and grace as we ever have.

The explanations for our numbers decreasing are vast and there seems to be a bit of truth to each of them. Because we don’t do background checks or means-tests on our guests before we break bread with them, we simply don’t know who has recently been laid off, who is unemployable, and who is just there for human interaction. And as difficult as it may be to swallow, so many of our guests live so far out of mainstream society that a work force facing joblessness and destitution doesn’t even affect them.

So what does this mean for us, for our guests? It means our doors and hearts remain open to those who need it. And it means that we continue to be grateful for all God has done to protect our ministry, those who support it, and those who depend on it.

With countless donations received, cookies consumed, halls decked, and presents opened, St. Francis Inn Ministries welcomed the birth of Jesus with open arms and with the hope of renewed faith and strength in our ministries.

On behalf of our guests, we thank you for giving of your hearts and prayers this holiday season; this ministry is simply not sustainable without the support of our wide network of volunteers and benefactors.

Just to give a couple of updates on what’s shakin’ in Philadelphia:

Since just before Thanksgiving, our sidewalks have been torn apart by the city with the goal of beautifying Kensington. New concrete was recently poured and we are looking forward to full use of our yard and our gate when it dries (probably by the end of the week). Seemingly simple changes had to be made to our normal operating procedures such as parking Cappy, our 15-passenger van, on the side street and loading and unloading through the side door and unifying our senior and single lines (typically they form lines starting in the same place but going in opposite directions) because of limited use of the sidewalk. These blips in the system weren’t earth-shattering, but disruptive enough to welcome back the old routine.

Like the rest of the east coast, we are experiencing our seventh or so straight day of sub-30 degree weather. For many, this means bundling up with an extra layer of long johns and gloves, turning the heat up just a bit, and avoiding the outdoors as much as possible. But for our guests who are dependent on the food of the Inn, avoiding the blistering cold is impossible; turning their shut-off heat up isn’t an option; and to get that extra layer of long johns or gloves, they have to endure the frigid trek to the Inn to get them. I’m not calling for guilt-ridden, radical simplicity, just an awareness of what you have, giving thanks, and praying a little longer for those who don’t have it.

We are expecting a warm-up within the next couple of days. We are learning to appreciate the seasons, the warmth (funny that 35 degrees is warm), and the sunshine. I pray that wherever you are begins to see the sun and feel its warmth soon too!

Pax et bonum!

St. Francis used to say this to those he passed on the street- a simple greeting of peace and well-being to those he encountered. A simple message, a profound impact.

So, for this New Year, we wish you Pax et Bonum! God bless you!