Representing our class this week on the blog are Natalia Kieta, Catalina Tueros, and Steph Sefah...
Natalia Kieta
In our world, there are a lot of individuals who struggle to eat a good meal and to find a place to sleep at night. Although we have many who struggle to get through each day, we also have many people who try to support those below the poverty line by volunteering at soup kitchens, shelters, etc. One place that helps care for the poor all year long is the Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center, and last Friday we had the opportunity to speak with two of the ten volunteers who have sacrificed a year of their life to help serve at this center.
Over fifty years ago, Father Phil was bothered by the idea that many prisoners had nowhere to go after they were done serving their time in jail. In response to his emotions, he decided to open a center that would feed and sleep sixteen people per night. Over the years, the Franciscan Outreach Center grew in numbers, and currently forty-five individuals sleep there per night and around 140 people are served a hot meal daily. What is interesting about this center from an economic viewpoint is that the majority of the food, clothes, toiletries, etc. are all donated. Also, this center hosts a fundraiser where many people donate money to help run the center and to help provide for necessities. In conclusion, society plays a big role in aiding and providing for Franciscan Outreach.
Listening to the two volunteers talk about their experiences thus far has allowed me to connect them to the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18:9-14. This parable talks about how humility is the greatest trait that God looks for in an individual. In my opinion, both volunteers, Emily and Katie, are very humble in the eyes of God because they do not brag about the service they do, nor do they complain about not getting rewarded for their actions. In this case, they are like the tax collector where they do what they signed up for and act upon what they are required to do. Service is their calling, and they aren’t using this as an excuse to show how wonderful they are through the sacrifices they had to make in order to become volunteers. During the discussion, it was evident that the Catholic Social Teaching theme Preferential Option for the Poor was present. Through this theme, Christ wants to ensure that we consider the poor in every decision we make individually, communally and socially, which is what Emily and Katie do on a daily basis at the Franciscan Outreach Center.
As one of the speakers, Emily, said, “It is a very rewarding feeling to form a relationship with some of the people that dine or sleep at the center. Sometimes all they need is a person to vent to because their lifestyle is so difficult, and they have no one to turn to in difficult times. It feels good to be able to give someone your time because sometimes that’s all they need.” I wholeheartedly agree with Emily because as we talked about before,
Sometimes a smile is all a person needs to feel special. To me, it is very hard to see so many people struggle with something that I expect to have every day, such as food or clean clothes, but at the same time, it makes me feel better that there are people like Emily and Katie who do so much to make just a little difference in the marginalized world.
Finally, after processing Emily and Katie’s words, I came to realize that I do not have to take a year off of my life to help make a difference in the world. I can also simply smile and just say hello to someone I see lingering on the streets, and that itself will make the biggest difference in a person’s face. Sometimes we underestimate the needs of the poor; the simplest task can make the greatest difference.
Catalina Tueros
Franciscan Outreach helps provide for the less fortunate. I was able to learn throughout the discussion that each volunteer chose to dedicate one year of their lives to service. Not many people are willing to sacrifice their time to acknowledge the poor. Every year, the number of homelessness continues to increase. Many people go on without proper housing, food, and thrival rights. They are truly affected by the decisions that are made in the community. The volunteers at Franciscan Outreach expressed their gratitude and their love for changing people’s lives. No one is ever denied, and there is always plentiful food and clothing for those who are in need. The less fortunate in Chicago are able to benefit from this organization given the fact that it never turns anyone away. The two volunteers expressed the hardships that come along with the job as well. Many people who come to Franciscan Outreach come from a broken home, family, and life. These people are forgotten from society. Everything that is used in the organization is donated. The city of Chicago helps control and manage inventory through these donations. The city fully supports the organization and the message behind it. The city of Chicago donates money each year to help with costs. Private donors also help with the costs. People in Chicago are willing to work with the less fortunate. Relationships are built with the people and the volunteers given the fact that the volunteers are the only consistent people they have in their lives. The volunteers also form bonds with other volunteer members and they support each other. No one is ever excluded. They are able to connect and establish teamwork. The beliefs and decisions affect the community by setting a positive chain reaction - the more good that is being done, the more people become influenced to do the same. It will affect future generations and allow them to be aware of current issues. A positive impact is imprinted upon the people.
Coming together as a community can be related to many bible stories such as Mark 12:41-45. In this story, Jesus collected the offerings from the people. Many wealthy people placed their money into the basket. A poor and widowed woman offered all of her savings. The woman was willing to sacrifice. The theme found in this passage is to give. Those who are willing to volunteer at Franciscan Outreach and other organizations are willing to give their time and help those in need. They are willing to sacrifice a year of their lives in order to do so just as the widow did. The Catholic Social Teaching theme this passage is tied to is the Call to Family, Community, and Participation. It is the ability to constantly stay active within family and community, and to participate. One is able to use their faith to form decisions and actions through these callings. Christ calls us to uphold the domestic church as roots for participation and society. We must unite as a nation to help end poverty. I am in awe at the fact that these young people were able to step up and dedicate their lives to help the less fortunate. I was able to give back to my community by donating clothes I no longer use to charity. It is my way to give back to the less fortunate. I believe that Christ calls our nation to be aware and to lift each other up.
As a community, in order to help influence others to work together we should make them more aware. The people should try to contribute by donating clothes that are no longer being used, toiletries, and provide small donations. Anything truly counts and is deeply appreciated. The people should unite and help establish this. Giving back can help change people’s lives. More organizations should also be provided within our communities with higher rates for homelessness.
As people, we have the right to thrive and to succeed. We should always keep others in mind who continue to suffer. The Franciscan Outreach organization helps provide a support system as well as shelter that allows people to come together in unity. Ultimately, we are the future of our nation. It is up to us to make a change.
Steph Sefah
Father Marquard's vision is still alive today. We see this in the countless numbers of people who work for the shelter, which is a nonprofit, and people like Katie, Emily and the other volunteers who have given up their year for the benefit of the less fortunate. We also see this in the hundreds of homeless people who call the center their home. In this section the Katie and Emily started off by telling us what a day in their lives looked like. Katie, who is from Georgia, traveled to Chicago after graduating for college less then a year ago. She left her family and friends to do service and change others' lives. Katie's job is to cook and do the laundry for the guests who stay at the shelter. Katie finds her job very rewarding. Many people think too highly of themselves to wash the clothes of people who might sometime smell bad; I think Katie sees this as an humbling deed. When asked if she loves what she's doing Katie's responded, "Yes, the smile of their faces makes it worth it". The bible states in Mark 12:31 that we should love our neighbor as ourselves - Katie does this every day at the shelter.
The second volunteer we spoke with was Emily, who spoke to us about how she has always loved doing service as a child. Emily's job at the shelter is to spend the night with the women who stay at the shelter. She makes sure there is peace between the guests and also that all their common needs are met. Emily finds this job very rewarding as well because she meets women her age who are homeless. This humbles Emily because she realizes God's love for her and how lucky she is to be at this point in her life. One thing I loved about Emily was that she feels called to help women who have been abused, and the majority of the women she meets have been abused. Emily's desire to help women is amazing. The bible states in Romans 12:10 that we should be devoted to one another in love and Emily dose this everyday.
In conclusion, I have learned a lot about service and the importance of it. I am grateful to God for all the blessings I have from my family and for people like Emily and Katie who remind me to stay humble and to be thankful. This interview has opened my eyes about the paths I can take before and after college through service. Service is one thing I can do to make a change to fill the gap between society and its outcasts. I am thankful to people like Katie and Emily who are making a change and doing what God calls them to do.
Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.
