There are many anniversaries in one’s life. Typically
they’re happy events marking a moment of love proclaimed, health restored, or
goals achieved. But there are other
anniversaries celebrated with less fanfare, and because of their nature are approached
with a deeper sense of reflection and contemplation. Anniversaries like these often focus on a
moment when the direction of one’s life has changed, when one takes stock in
what they have done, or haven’t done.
I’m coming up on an anniversary in a few months that won’t
be marked with a celebration, but rather with regret, humility and a
determination to do something positive and lasting with the opportunities afforded
me each day.
As part of my court supervised probation, I am required to perform
a set amount of hours in service to the community. What I’m determined to do is
to not just be physically present, but to be fully engaged in each moment that
I serve. My motivation comes not only
from a sense of responsibility, but also a desire to seize these moments as an
opportunity to learn and to grow.
There’s little doubt that if I had not acted in a way that
put me in front of the court that I would not have become acquainted with
Franciscan Outreach. For over 50 years
Franciscan Outreach has helped the homeless to sit in front of a hot meal, be sheltered
for a night, and to enjoy, at least for a moment, a sense of security that cannot
be found out on the street.
Located at 1645 West Lemoyne on the west side of Chicago,
the program was founded in 1963 by Father Phillip Marquard, a Franciscan Friar,
who wanted to help ex-offenders with housing and preparation for re-entry into
society. As the needs of the community
changed, the mission of Franciscan Outreach evolved to focus on the plight of
the homeless. Today, Franciscan serves
hundreds of those in need with food, shelter and counseling.
Like many, I often do not see the homeless, even though I
pass these men and women every day. I
reflexively avert my eyes from the body lying on cardboard at my feet to my
phone with an intensity that’s superficial and transparent. I don’t want to engage because I don’t want
to be asked for money, I don’t want to be slowed from my walk and I don’t want
to be forced to acknowledge the disparity between them and me. I avoid interaction with the homeless because
it’s just easier.
My fledgling period of service at Franciscan has helped to
re-focus my eyes, open my mind and soften my heart to the guests of the
outreach program. At Franciscan, the
volunteers are taught that the most important part of the service is not the
efficient ladling of food, but the interaction that one allows between
themselves and those whom they serve.
It’s not about becoming friends, but rather acknowledging that no matter
how different our circumstances, we share a common humanity that deserves
respect, empathy and understanding.
The plight of the homeless is a complex issue often
involving mental illness, substance abuse and more often than one might
imagine, a run of bad luck. As the
anniversary of my court hearing approaches, I’ll be quietly remembering the
forgiveness and generosity I was shown and will endeavor to be worthy of those gifts.
(If you'd like to learn more about Franciscan Outreach and considering the possibility of donating or volunteering to this worthy cause, please visit http://franoutreach.org)
