Fr. Kevin

This is the fourth installment in our series. As we practice the seven Corporal Works of
Mercy we help others live a life of dignity and provide them with the necessities of life. So
far, we’ve looked at Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Sick, and Clothe
the Naked. This week, we turn to Shelter the Homeless.
We may not see naked people that need clothing, but we do see homeless people. It is a significant need in the
Tampa/St. Petersburg area and here in Ruskin. In fact, the need is so great, we may be inclined to do nothing. It
isn’t that we don’t care. Rather, we can’t see how anything we can do will make a difference and that leads to
inaction.
It might help to remember the Feeding of the 5000 as recorded in John (John 6:1-15). A boy gives 5 loaves and
2 fish to Jesus and from that small amount of food, Jesus feeds everyone. God isn’t calling us to solve the
problem of homelessness. He’s only asking us for a few loaves and fish.
Perhaps these suggestions will get you started:
· Donate money to organizations that help the homeless. St. Vincent de Paul is a good example. Money given
to our Poor Boxes goes to them. Could you give $1 each week above your regular parish offering, for
example?
· Donate resources to organizations that help the homeless. St. Vincent de Paul runs a Thrift Store near
St. Anne and the money earned is used to fund their ministry to those in need. Cleaning out a closet (or two)
would be good for you and help the homeless!
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· Donate to shelters, orphanages, and organizations that work with foster children or refugees. (Some of you
gave duffel bags to foster kids this past Christmas. Thanks!)
· Encourage lawmakers to increase affordable housing opportunities.
And, if you want to have a more personal contact…
· Volunteer at Hillsborough Hope. Could you and some friends or the parish group to which you belong cook
and serve a meal for those living at Hillsborough Hope?
· Build a house with Habitat for Humanity
· Or learn how to spend time with the homeless you meet. This isn’t easy and it isn’t for everyone. If God has
given you the ability however, it is wonderfully rewarding.

This is the third installment in our series. The seven Corporal Works of Mercy help
others live a life of dignity and provide them with the necessities of life. So far, we’ve
looked at Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, and Visit the Sick. This week, we
turn to Clothe the Naked.
Probably the oddest aspect of this work of mercy lies in the fact that most of us never encounter naked people. We might see people in shabby clothes, but not without! So, as we did with other items in the list of Corporal Works, some broadening of our definition is needed.
Start with realizing that the root issue of the corporal works is providing the necessities for others . For most of the year in Florida, one doesn’t need much clothing to be comfortable. In winter, however, more is needed. A person wearing only shorts and at-shirtin50-degree weather is, in practical terms, naked.
Fashion, of course, isn’t a primary issue here and you might be forgiven for thinking that providing quality clothing is not part of this work. But most of us know from experience that we feel better about ourselves when we are dressed well. Would that also not be true of a poor person? While they can get by with rags, we can help their self-worth– help them see their goodness in God’s eyes– by providing something better. And a person trying to rebuild their life needs better clothes for job interviews and work.
Don’t forget to record your Acts of Mercy this week!

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Lent is a great time to clean out a closet or dresser drawers. In 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, Jen
Hatmaker writes about realizing the large amount of clothes she owned and her stewardship journey to do
better. You and Ican take a similar step. It won’t take long and, if you donate the clothes to the St. Vincent
de Paul thrift store located near thechurchon3rd Street; you’ll be helping the needy in two ways. First, they
provide free clothes from referrals and second, the money earned at the store are divided
between St. Anne and other nearby St. Vincent de Paul conferences.