We began our journey of serving the homeless almost 40 years ago by volunteering to provide meals and serve in other ways at Karen House, the Catholic Worker shelter for women. The journey continued when we joined the work of Winter Outreach, serving men and women on the streets of Downtown and helping to staff the emergency shelters that have saved and transformed lives through the past 13 winters. And now, our journey continues in the work we do at the four Assisi Houses scattered around the City of St. Louis that provide winter shelter and then transitional, supportive housing that goes beyond simple shelter to create communities of the formerly unhoused. And as Greg Boyle states it so eloquently in his two books about his ministry with gang members in Los Angeles–we no longer are “serving”, we are accompanying, and even beyond that, we are “being served” and learning from these men and women who have become models for us of incredible generosity and courage in facing the challenges of living without resources and without access to anything or anyone that can effect change in their lives.
We will talk about what is the heart of Assisi House, and share some of the stories that have transformed an all winter shelter into a home for fourteen women this year. We are privileged to be a part of Assisi House, and to share these stories that emerge when men and women who had been forced to spend virtually all of their time and effort “being homeless” are given a respite from that hardship. It shouldn’t surprise us after all these years, but it still does, to see the miracles of transformed lives.
Jerry and I have been best friends and partners for over 54years. And our passion/compassion to engage with others in our life, whether it be here or during our years in South America, has followed the same path. While not always in agreement, we have worked side by side or in support of each other. We are still learning how.
Join us
Sunday 18 March
Potluck dinner begins at 6:00 pm
Jerry and Marty begin sharing at 6:45
At their home
830 DeMun, 3rd floor
Clayton, MO
63105
