Pope Francis Reaches Out to the Homeless

[lvcabbie]

I’m sorry that I didn’t think to copy the link. But, read on a church news site this morning that Francis has appointed a monsignor to oversee opening the public bathrooms on St Peter’s square so homeless can take showers and get haircuts.

Mondays seem to be good as it allows many barbers to come as their shops are closed. One very well-known, fashionable hair designer is also taking part.

Being cleaned up and shaven allows many the change of seeking employment without the cloak of their homelessness enshrouding them.

Another way Francis is trying to reach out to the unfortunate.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Glad to hear this!

 

[Justin61790]

Am I wrong in thinking that this man is going to be remembered as a Saint? It seems every other day he is doing something wonderful and Christlike.

 

[DexUK]

I’d read about this a little while back.

Almost everything I hear about our Holy Father makes my heart swell with admiration and love for him. He is exactly the man I prayed fervently for during the Conclave, right down to his choice of papal name… and, oh boy, did that prayer get answered…

 

[Justin61790]

Pope Francis’s actions and words were a part of the reason I seriously began to consider joining the Church. He is such an encouragement and shining light. Cant help but be drawn to it. Francis is exactly what the Church needed in this day and age. I hope he is with us for many more years, and that his successor will follow his lead.

 

[Isca]

Pope Francis’s actions and words were a part of the reason I seriously began to consider joining the Church. He is such an encouragement and shining light. Cant help but be drawn to it. Francis is exactly what the Church needed in this day and age. I hope he is with us for many more years, and that his successor will follow his lead.

I’m also a recent convert and I agree with you, he’s inspirational. Here’s a link to the story as reported by one newspaper in the UK:

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2956394/Pope-Francis-s-barber-shop-opens-business-Salon-St-Peter-s-Square-offer-free-haircuts-shaves-showers-Rome-s-homeless.html

 

[mikekle]

Its a shame here in the US, all the homeless encounter when they do try to get hired on somewhere, is background checks and other barriers put up to prevent them being hired…sad.

 

[Justin61790]

Its a shame here in the US, all the homeless encounter when they do try to get hired on somewhere, is background checks and other barriers put up to prevent them being hired…sad.

Yeah it is very sad. In the US…well in my state at least most employers require that an applicant have a permanent residence. That right there stops most homeless people from being eligible for a job. Of course here in the US there are some who treat the homless no better than criminals. They assume that its their fault they are homeless and that they must be worthless lazy vagrants. And how can we expect them to improve their life and get out of the situation they are in if we make it so hard for them to do so? Some homeless people genuinely are criminals and lazy people, but some just need a helping hand and to be treated like a human being.

 

[ProVobis]

In Chicago there is a group of 8 nuns who run food kitchens for over 200 homeless every day. They’ve been doing this for 18 years. Unfortunately they aren’t part of the archdiocese. So in the case where one of their heating furnaces failed and the holy water froze a couple of days ago, they were able to raise about $200,000 to have it fixed, thanks to the support of the local communities and the citizens of Chicago and elsewhere.

 

[graciew]

1. 
   

   In Chicago there is a group of 8 nuns who run food kitchens for over 200 homeless every day. They’ve been doing this for 18 years. Unfortunately they aren’t part of the archdiocese. So in the case where one of their heating furnaces failed and the holy water froze a couple of days ago, they were able to raise about $200,000 to have it fixed, thanks to the support of the local communities and the citizens of Chicago and elsewhere.

   It does not call my attention.( this means "wow what else would you expect from them ?! " for us).As much as you have ,you also give. There are countless examples of such generosity. So good you helped these nuns)
   I was thinking that our Archidiocesis would not help either when the community has resources even.not much.At least.we.have.never received money. For any building nlr anything. Our roof got burnt when welding something up there. We had to deal with it on our own ,and we are fine with that
   .There are people and parishes that need much more around us.I mean the basics.
   Why arent they included in the archidiocese if I may ask ?

 

[ProVobis]

Why arent they included in the archidiocese if I may ask ?

They are foreign, for one thing. Traditionalists whose affiliated priests and bishops never reconciled with the church, for another. But I wouldn’t judge them on that. After all, they do great work in this city.

chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/02/21/french-nuns-without-heat-grateful-for-offers-of-help/

Interestingly enough, donations have been pouring in from atheists and others. Those are funds the Church would have probably never received IMO.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Homelessness and starvation in the world will not effectively be eliminated until the news media declares it to be problem that we are all responsible for, and Pope Francis’ example may be a beginning. Starvation is a crime against humanity, and once the world sees that, the sooner will the problem get solved.

 

[ProVobis]

Homelessness and starvation in the world will not effectively be eliminated until the news media declares it to be problem that we are all responsible for, and Pope Francis’ example may be a beginning. Starvation is a crime against humanity, and once the world sees that, the sooner will the problem get solved.

I wouldn’t want to blame the news media on homelessness and starvation. If anything, they’re the ones in the best position to fight it. So I agree with you to that extent.

 

[graciew]

They are foreign, for one thing. Traditionalists whose affiliated priests and bishops never reconciled with the church, for another. But I wouldn’t judge them on that. After all, they do great work in this city.

chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/02/21/french-nuns-without-heat-grateful-for-offers-of-help/

Interestingly enough, donations have been pouring in from atheists and others. Those are funds the Church would have probably never received IMO.

Thanks for the link and explanation.
Yes , it is like compassion is something written in human’ hearts.Love the smile of the nun in the.photo.

 

[ProVobis]

Thanks for the link and explanation.
Yes , it is like compassion is something written in human’ hearts.Love the smile of the nun in the.photo.

I can’t help but think more will be better served if the Pope were to set the order of these nuns (and their bishop and priests) as a personal prelature, or something that would not be subjected to or associated with the financial affairs of the local diocese. Let them run it as they see fit. The funds continue to pour in as of this morning, thanks mostly to the TV stations and their success with the homeless in the past.

 

[graciew]

I can’t help but think more will be better served if the Pope were to set the order of these nuns (and their bishop and priests) as a personal prelature, or something that would not be subjected to or associated with the financial affairs of the local diocese. Let them run it as they see fit. The funds continue to pour in as of this morning, thanks mostly to the TV stations and their success with the homeless in the past.

That could also bring them together .
Yes , true. Media can do a lot when it comes to solidarity.
The nuns and the persons they help must be rejoicing , cause money also means " we care , we are not indifferent ".
Lovely story all in all ,a lot of good came from that broken stuff.