Project Results: I Will
Carry You
May 15, 2005
In
order to meet the needs of the homeless, you have to understand what the
homeless need. Today, we learned much about the needs of the homeless from
the homeless themselves.
Your donations allowed us to bring 150 backpacks into New York City, which
were blessed by Fr. Cassian Miles before distribution. Each backpack
contained a pair of socks, a pack of gum, a pack of cookies/crackers, some
"Tiny Treasures," a Mets cap and/or an umbrella, a bottle of spring water,
and a prayer card. There were two baskets of fresh fruit (apples, bananas,
oranges and pears) available for the taking. It seemed a simple project to
us ... in fact, so simple in comparison to others that we
hoped
it would be enough to give them "just a backpack." We learned many things
today, and it became quickly apparent to us that these were not "just
backpacks," and we were here today for more than just distributing them.
One man told us how grateful he was for the bottled water. He said that it
kept him hydrated. Another man shared how grateful he was for the bananas.
He explained that apples are difficult to eat, because the homeless do not
have good teeth. Not only are bananas soft, he told us, but they are full
of potassium.
Ronnie
appeared with calluses from carrying so many shopping bags in each hand. He
was especially grateful to empty his bags into his new black backpack.
Before leaving the Breadline that morning, Ronnie explained, "I am broken.
I am really hurting" and begged for our prayers. When we offered to pray
with him, his eyes filled up with tears and he said, "I can't. Pray for me
in your heart because you just don't know how much I'm hurting." Ronnie is
right. We don't know. So, we promised to pray and ask all of you to do the
same.
Mychal's
Messengers today included Shannon, her Mom Kelly, her Nana Sharon, her
sister Erin Mary, her brother Christopher, friends Jean Haddad and Laura
Sodano from Holy Angels Parish in Little Falls, NJ, and Father Cassian Miles
from St. Francis Church in NYC. CNN was also there covering the story
today. Although it is difficult for Shannon to be followed by cameras, she
understands the importance of sharing her story with others.
Jean Haddad wrote a beautiful note describing the day, which further helps detail the important lessons we all learned from the homeless today. Jean has been studying to become a Secular Franciscan since September 2003. We have included a portion of her note here.
* * *
The time
that I spend working on the Mychal's Message projects and standing on the
Line, has helped to bring me closer to St. Francis. We have been taught
that we have to bring the Gospel to life and life to the Gospel. Nothing
that I do helps me to understand that concept more than working with
Mychal's Message.
Laura and I arrived this morning before 6:00 am and people were already
waiting. Some were sleeping, others were just waiting patiently for the
coffee and sandwiches to be brought out. I saw one familiar face as we
were getting out of the car. When you pulled up, he offered to help us
carry the containers across the street. When I saw the size of the line, I
worried that we might not have enough backpacks for everyone. What a relief
it was that there were enough!
As always, the most amazing thing to me was the general attitude of the
people on the Line. They were friendly, kind and most incredibly patient.
It brings to mind how rude and impatient some people can be while waiting on
line at the supermarket or movie theater. We who have been blessed with so
much have much to learn from those of us who have so little.
There were more women today than I remember from the past. Before the food
was brought out, one woman came up to me and shook my hand. She said that
although she's not homeless (she lives with her mother) she comes everyday
to pick up a sandwich and coffee. She took great delight in describing the
types of sandwiches offered. Another woman, Christine, told me that she had
lost her job after Sept 11th. She was very well spoken and seemed to crave
conversation more than anything else. She really appreciated the bottled
water but refused to take a backpack because she didn't need it. She said
she was raised to take only what she really needed. A really beautiful
young black woman, wearing a black and white bandanna, asked if she could
also take a backpack for her boyfriend who was across the street. She
implied that he felt awkward about getting it himself.
A man told me that he loved my Tau cross and one woman asked about Laura's
San Damiano Crucifix. I was able to explain their significance to
Franciscans and they both seemed genuinely interested. Some asked for
prayers, others just said God bless you and thank you. Every single one
said thank you.
I think they really enjoyed choosing their own backpacks. I guess they have
very few choices in life.
Every time that I go, I learn something new but one thing is most apparent.
What they seem to crave more than the food or the various things that we
have given out is human contact. They want to be spoken to, to be touched
and to have eye contact. The homeless have become the lepers of New York.
It is hard to feel human and loved if no one will look at you.
* * *
We ended the day with a
prayer and mass at St. Francis Church. It was Pentecost Sunday and the
priest spoke about the diversity of people in our world, reminding us that
we were all God's creatures. "The manifestation of the Spirit seeks
commonness in diversity," he told us.
On to "Blessed Bloomers" now. The day after we arrived home, the postman
delivered 4 large boxes of T-shirts to our door. How good God is to us and
how well he provides for us.
-Kelly Lynch
Mychal’s Message Founder
In peace,
Your Friends at Mychal's Message
Home | Our Projects | About Fr. Mychal | About Mychal's Message | Donate
Contact us: info@mychalsmessage.org
Mychal's Message logo and all graphic design graciously donated by
M. Scott Oatman Graphic Design
and Illustration.
Website development and maintenance donated by
UtterClarity.
All content © 2007, Mychal's
Message
This page was last updated on: June 4, 2005.
Mychal's Message, Inc. is registered as a charitable organization with the Department of State's Bureau of Charitable Organizations under the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, 10 P.S. Section 16.2 et seq., and is authorized to solicit charitable contributions under the conditions and limitations set forth under the Act. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations