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| Walking the Walk; Kudos to St. Boniface/San Fran, and other churches that do the same | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 1 2013, 10:24 AM (784 Views) | |
| Dewey | Feb 1 2013, 10:24 AM Post #1 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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St. Boniface Church In San Francisco Lets Homeless People Sleep In Pews The Huffington Post | By Zoe Mintz Posted: 01/31/2013 3:31 pm EST | Updated: 01/31/2013 5:24 pm EST For the city’s homeless, San Francisco’s St. Boniface Church is seen as a safe haven. The nonprofit known as the Gubbio Project partners with the Roman Catholic church to let the city’s homeless sleep on its pews during daylight hours, even during Mass, and provides a host of services to hundreds of those who are forced to leave when homeless shelters close in the morning, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "Part of the craziness you run into on the streets with homeless people is drugs and alcohol related, but some is severe lack of sleep, which can cause psychosis," Rev. Tommy King, a pastor at St. Boniface told the Chronicle. "This helps them in terms of mental health." Every weekday the program uses the sanctuary’s rear 76 pews between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. while providing access to the church’s amenities like bathrooms, blankets, clothing vouchers and haircuts, executive director Laura Slattery told the Huffington Post in an email. ![]() “This sends a powerful message to our unhoused neighbors - they are in essence part of the community, not to be kicked out when those with homes come in to worship,” the organization describes on its website. The Gubbio Project is unique for its daytime hours and open pews for sleeping. Slattery doesn’t know of another church offering the same kind of sanctuary, she told HuffPost. The project, which was founded in 2004, sees an average 90 sleepers on a given day, Slattery told HuffPost. ![]() And in a city that has an estimated homeless population of 6,455, the Gubbio Project is welcomed. According to Ken Dotson, a member of the San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness, the city offers around 1,139 beds for single adults and less than 100 for families, he told HuffPost. In an interview with Catholic Radio, Slattery describes how homelessness isn’t the sole problem her guests face. Many come from the margins of society. There are veterans, others from the LGBT community and those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction who come to the church for an open ear, she says. And although the program keeps its guests anonymous, every so often someone comes in to share a success story, she tells HuffPost. Slattery points to a man in his twenties who recently came to thank the program’s founder for saving his life seven years ago when he said he was suicidal. But the program itself, which has struggled with funding at times, sees triumph in the everyday. “Homeless people, in addition to needing housing, have primary needs of calm, safety, beauty, and a sense of belonging. We are providing these things,” Slattery told HuffPost, “These are our daily successes.” For more information on the Gubbio Project and ways to get involved click here. |
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| VPG | Feb 1 2013, 12:40 PM Post #2 |
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Pisa-Carp
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No, not in the church. Can you imagine the smell. Can you imagine a wedding on Saturday. Can you imagine you want to pray and commune with your God. Can you imagine ............. I'm sorry, find them another place please, pay for it if you must, but not the Church. Yeah, I'm really not PC. |
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I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK! "People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look." Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971 | |
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| Mark | Feb 1 2013, 12:50 PM Post #3 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I agree with Vince. Setup a place in the basement of the church or rent a separate space. Nice Christian gesture but it needs to be tempered with sensibility. |
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___.___ (_]===* o 0 When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells | |
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| jon-nyc | Feb 1 2013, 01:00 PM Post #4 |
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Cheers
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WWJD? |
| In my defense, I was left unsupervised. | |
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| Mark | Feb 1 2013, 01:17 PM Post #5 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Depends on the number of people needing assistance Jon. If you can handle them outside of the main church area do it. If you can't, then let them sleep wherever you have space. |
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___.___ (_]===* o 0 When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells | |
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| Luke's Dad | Feb 1 2013, 01:18 PM Post #6 |
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Emperor Pengin
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Christianity itself isn't very sensible. There's a significant npart of me that wants to agree with you and Vince, Mark. I see all the problems it could and likely will cause. I want to argue against this and point out all the faults with it. It's still the right thing to do. The pharisees had all kinds of sensible and reasonable rules and laws (in addition to all of the unreasonable ones as well). I imagine that this is the type of sacrifice and giving that is truly requested of us. |
| The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it. | |
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| VPG | Feb 1 2013, 01:25 PM Post #7 |
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Pisa-Carp
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I'm a twenty year old tha grew up and was baptized there and want to marry there. Right, the homeless come first. By the way, my six bridsmaids are quite cute. Shame if one of these sleepers wakes and defecates in front of them, or drops his pants. After all they are all model guests. |
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I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK! "People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look." Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971 | |
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| Luke's Dad | Feb 1 2013, 01:38 PM Post #8 |
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Emperor Pengin
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I get it, Vince. Believe me, I do. It doesn't change the fact that the ultimate purpose for that building and for Christ's church isn't weddings, funerals, and bingo games. Jon might have meant it facetiously, but there is truth there. What would Jesus do? I imagine he would tear open the doors and remove every lock on any Church building dedicated to him. I believe that he would make his buildings open to all and any that would seek him or need him. Look at his treatment of the Temple as evidence. I imagine there were quite a few homeless people in the early churches after they sold off all their property and gave it to the Church. |
| The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it. | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Feb 1 2013, 06:25 PM Post #9 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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If you have a bed to go home to, much less a warm one, and you don't have a very real fear about where your next meal is going to be—no, the reasons for why people are in that position does not change my opinion—then sack up and deal with the smelly homeless who have nowhere else to go and no family to turn to. I understand the problems you all are bringing up, but LD is right. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Jolly | Feb 1 2013, 06:31 PM Post #10 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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WWJD? The angriest I can recall Jesus being, was with the moneychangers in the Temple. They profained God's House. Now, while a church is nothing more than artfully crafted building materials arranged by humans, people ought to show a little respect. Crashing on the church pews doesn't hint of respect to me. Not on the part of the person doing it, or the person allowing it. Yes, I fully believe we should help our fellow man, especially those less fortunate. That's why I'm an avid supporter of The Salvation Army and Samaritan's Purse. That's why I give of my time and my money to a local homeless shelter. That's also why I've bordered on theft, dog-robbing for a small medical charity my wife and I have been involved in for years. If the people in this thread need help, I applaud those trying to help them and wish them well. But you've got to have a bit of common sense... |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Feb 1 2013, 06:37 PM Post #11 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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So just to clarify, say you're a priest, or parish administrator. You have a homeless guy show up at 10pm on the church doorsteps, looking for a place to crash until morning. Mind you it's January, and up here tonight it's 24 degrees with a biting cold wind. Would your response be to go find the nearest Salvo shop? |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| VPG | Feb 1 2013, 06:38 PM Post #12 |
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Pisa-Carp
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And I assume you all are sending your 10% tithe to your church for these folk. And the church has no further need of the thousands of dollars each month from the families of brides for the sweet old fashoned weddings some young women would like to have at their church. |
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I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK! "People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look." Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971 | |
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| Jolly | Feb 1 2013, 06:42 PM Post #13 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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No, my first thought is wondering what this guy is doing wandering around in the bitter cold at 10PM on a winter night. Fact is, you can hypothetical this thing to death. Sure, there are people genuinely in need of help. There are also people who would be happy to steal everything in the church, if you'd just kindly turn your back. As I said, have some common sense. Do what you can, as you can. |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Feb 1 2013, 06:43 PM Post #14 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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Immaterial, Vince. Giving an income percentage has nothing to do with agreeing with this parish's decision to offer the homeless a place to stay within the church. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| VPG | Feb 1 2013, 06:43 PM Post #15 |
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Pisa-Carp
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Whoa, go back and look at the pictures. This aint one guy shows up and it's cold. The church has options. Find a place for them (I know you hate this) period! Do not defame the church. |
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I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK! "People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look." Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971 | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Feb 1 2013, 06:44 PM Post #16 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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That's how I see it, too. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Feb 1 2013, 06:46 PM Post #17 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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![]() Well if they can find another spot for them, fine. In fact that's probably preferable for the homeless, too; it can get freaking cold in a church at night and those pews are about the least comfortable things to sleep on. But I'd assume that these folks are there because they have or know of no other place to be. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Jolly | Feb 1 2013, 06:49 PM Post #18 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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I think that's extremely material. 10% is a starting point, not the definitive percentage. People who are kicking in their tithes, doing without in many cases, deserve much more voice than the armchair pundits of the world. |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Feb 1 2013, 06:57 PM Post #19 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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I don't see it so black and white. Folks who put in their tithe, but sneer at the impoverished or reject any opportunity to help people in need in ways beyond finances (lending an ear, vouching for someone trying to get their life on the right track, etc.) aren't exactly top runners for Christians of the Year. On the flip side, those who make other contributions beside money aren't necessarily shirking their responsibilities. Again, with this issue we can go round and round with hypotheticals, but it still hasn't much to do with whether or not this church is doing what's appropriate or correct. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Horace | Feb 1 2013, 07:03 PM Post #20 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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![]() As soon as a church invests money into making itself beautiful or monumental to attract people to worship there, they make a decision that weighs their ability to "help the needy" against their ability to be all churchy and stuff. This seems like more or less the same thing, and decisions would have to be made on a case by case basis rather than by simple principles like "all churches should welcome all homeless at all times". |
| As a good person, I implore you to do as I, a good person, do. Be good. Do NOT be bad. If you see bad, end bad. End it in yourself, and end it in others. By any means necessary, the good must conquer the bad. Good people know this. Do you know this? Are you good? | |
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| VPG | Feb 1 2013, 07:08 PM Post #21 |
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Pisa-Carp
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Folks who put in their tithe, but sneer at the impoverished or reject any opportunity to help people in need in ways beyond finances (lending an ear, vouching for someone trying to get their life on the right track, etc.) aren't exactly top runners for Christians of the Year. On the flip side, those who make other contributions beside money aren't necessarily shirking their responsibilities. Right there, that's the whole thing in a nutshell. By not wanting bad smelling, dirty looking, semi not normal folk attending your daughters wedding, you are sneering at the impoverished. Smacks of if your not for our guy, you hate women/poor people/kids/ insert any of the other things we are supposed to hate. My God Jesus even washed some feet. |
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I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK! "People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look." Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971 | |
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| Dewey | Feb 1 2013, 07:19 PM Post #22 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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The article says that it allows the homeless to sleep in the back 76 pews after the homeless shelters close in the morning and the homeless have to leave, and they are permitted to sleep in the church on weekdays, between the hours of 6am and 1pm. I don't know of many weddings that take place during those days and times. Likewise, they do not interfere with the normal weekend activities that are the core of a church's usage. As is the case of any church with many programs and activities, the key is planning and facility management. This use, and these hours, wouldn't seem to me to be too tough to work around. And I'd suggest that using a church - which is, after all, nothing more than a tool, an instrument with which to proclaim and live the gospel - as a way to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable in our society is hardly defaming it. |
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Feb 1 2013, 07:23 PM Post #23 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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To be honest, man, so long as I didn't have to make them best men I wouldn't care less if a dozen or so guys were sleeping it off in the back pews at my own wedding, let alone my daughter's. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Mikhailoh | Feb 1 2013, 07:26 PM Post #24 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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I think they have found something that obviously works for them and the majority of their parishioners. They should be commended for it. That is not to say that all parishes should do the same. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Jolly | Feb 2 2013, 05:19 AM Post #25 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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When you shell out 10-20 large for your daughter's wedding, you will most certainly care who sits in those pews. |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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