A TOUCH OF PENTECOST

The much-anticipated snow storm had already started when a young man walked through the front doors of the Mother Teresa Center. He looked to be of Hispanic descent and said nothing. Peggy, our front desk volunteer greeted him, but still he said nothing. After a few uncomfortable seconds, we realized he spoke no English. He appeared to be in no great anguish or despair. He was calm, but you could tell he wanted something. 

I did a quick check with the few people that were in the Mother Teresa Center to see if anyone spoke Spanish. No luck. We do have a bilingual staff member we call on in moments like these, but she was not available. The young Latino man pulled out his phone and started using Google Translate. I did the same, and our international texting duel started. 

First, he asked what we were, what we did here. I explained that we provided for the homeless. That we can also provide food for those in need. We have a free clinic if he is ill. Did he need either of those? He assured me he didn’t. The iPhones were doing their job, and I was relieved how well this was going. But I still didn’t know what he needed.

He inquired if we were a church. I told him of our beautiful chapel. I could see he was thinking of what he was trying to ask, how he wanted to phrase his request. Using two fingers, he typed in the question and raised his phone for me to view. The screen said, “I would like to pray”. I gently took his arm from the elbow and led him into the chapel.

As we approached the chapel entryway, I asked if there was something or someone special we were praying for. He nodded yes. My mind immediately went to someone close to him who might be sick or dying. Maybe he was in a terrible financial situation. Maybe it was a relationship that was struggling. I tried to imagine what hardship we were going to be asking the Lord’s help for. He texted to me, “I want to thank God for my life, the good things that are happening to me and my job.” I nodded back to him and felt my eyes well up. We entered the chapel. 

We knelt right at the altar in front of the tabernacle. Side by side. Close so we could see each other’s phones. After some silence, I started, “God Almighty, our Creator, thank you for life, thank you for this beautiful world you have made for us. Father, truly all good things come from you. God, thank you for sending your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to die for us, to save us from our own sins.” It was at this moment I realized I hadn’t even asked this man his name. I continued. “Thank you for providing us with our health, our jobs, all that we need to survive and to serve you. Lord, let us always trust in you. Amen”.

As I prayed these words into my phone, they appeared in Spanish and my new prayer partner repeated them. We continued to kneel in silence and let the Lord’s love come to us. I then stood and stepped back to sit in a pew, he followed me. I typed, “What is your name”? He typed back, Juan Diego. Immediately, I had goose pimples on my arms and every hair seemed to be standing straight up. For more than a few seconds, I thought, “could it be?” Lord, did you bring Juan Diego to us today? With God, anything is possible. I asked him, like the Saint? With a warmth in his eyes and slight smile, he nodded. 

We walked out of the chapel to the front door and I told him I would like to pray with him again. I hope he returns.

Pax Christi,

Jim

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FATHER CARR

Father Carr would be 82 years old today. We still love to celebrate his birthday at the Place 2B, and we should. He certainly deserves our prayers and homage for the work he did during his time on earth. The best way we can remember Father Carr is by continuing this beautiful ministry he started.

Father Martin Carr thought the world’s most precious natural resource is our youth. He loved spending time with the youth in our community. In its beginning stages, the Place 2B was all about our younger generation. He gave them direction. He kept them busy with both chores and fun & games. The kids that hung around the Place 2B never went hungry. Father Carr was all about feeding them, especially pizza.

We all have concerns about the future of the world, our country, our community. Every day we anguish over the future generation and what it will bring. There are many real life examples to support our questioning and anguish. What we need to do is look at the complete population, our entire younger generation, not just what is reported on the news.

I spent last night in Houghton, MI, with a group of Michigan Tech students. These students were gathered at Saint Albert the Great Catholic University Church. They are all about our Lord and His church. They still have the worries of grades, final exams, and college finances. Some are dealing with addictions, family issues or homesickness. What they are learning is that all these issues can be handed over to our Lord to give them peace. Father Ben Hasse, St. Albert’s Pastor told me student attendance at mass and ministry events is higher than ever. I was there because these students of St. Al’s came to the Place 2B on their spring break to do service work for us. Instead of heading to some warm beach and indulging in who knows what, these MTU students drove 250 miles to do service work for 5 days. These are kids I believe in.

Father Zach Weber is leading a crusade of young believers at the UW Oshkosh Newman Center. It is a vibrant and growing bunch. Other Newman Centers are located across the country in many universities. I listened to Caleb, a UW Platteville student, at Hops & Hope last week. I was totally inspired how much this young man loves Jesus and his faith. Oshkosh’s local parishes continue to work with the middle and high school students to set their hearts on fire for Jesus. SEEK attracted almost 20,000 young men and women to kick off 2024. World Youth Day 2023 recorded an attendance of 1.5 million young disciples. Lifest is celebrating its 25^th year, and its all-time attendance stands at 1.3 million. Youth faith camps of other denominations and non-denominational churches are filling up. My point is that a substantial and growing percent of the younger generation is on fire for our Lord.

Nothing warms our hearts and makes us smile more than having young adults at Father Carr’s. We get many. Most come to do service work and also find time to play the many games available to them. We hold class retreats for many high school students. We are still the Place 2B for young adults and we want them to know that. The Community Café is set up with many pizza ovens and cold soft drinks. The only thing our Café does not have is a cash register. Their presence is a gift to us and to the ministry that Father Carr started. I think Father Carr would be encouraged by today’s youth.

Father Carr is having a happy birthday.

Pax Christi,

Jim

THE GRAVESITE

I visited Father Carr’s gravesite this morning. Since I have been director of Father Carr’s Place 2B, it’s something I have been wanting to do. I tried a few weeks ago, but was unsuccessful locating it. Riverside Cemetery is vast! After a few clues from someone who knew where it was, I found it among the other thousands of tombstones.  I wasn’t sure what type of monument to expect. Father Carr was larger than life. He had a big personality, so part of me was expecting a big stone. But it isn’t. It’s a simple ground level plate with his name, birth, ordination and death dates inscribed on it. Modest, which makes sense. He made his life about others, not himself.

 It was cold out, so I sat in the car next to the gravesite. I talked to Father a bit, asked him some questions, seeked some encouragement, strength and courage to continue his ministry. I then prayed a rosary for his soul, our volunteers, donors and those who come to us for help. It was the peaceful, serene moment I had hoped for.

It was important for me to do this. Since I have been director, I have heard so many wonderful and powerful stories about who Father Carr was. Truly, a day does not go by where someone doesn’t have a story about the man. It almost makes me feel guilty I did not know him. How can I lead this cause without even personally knowing the man who started it all? How can I fill this unfortunate internal void I feel, to not have known Father Carr? He has gone to eternal rest. If I feel this way not knowing him, what about the community the Place 2B serves? How do the people of Oshkosh, who didn’t know him, get to?

It has to be the stories. Those who lived with Father Carr, the ones who knew him personally and best, need to share their stories with us. Father Carr’s Place 2B is starting its 50^th year. Father Carr himself was called home to our Lord in 2007, almost 17 years ago. This Catholic priest who started his ministry, that has helped tens of thousands of people over 50 years, must stay alive in our minds and hearts. We need to share these stories.

If you have a story to tell, please send it to us. Best practice would be to video yourself telling it. If you are bashful or don’t have the means to record it, type it up and email it to us. We will tell it for you. The goal is to inform those like me, who did not know Father Carr, about the type of person he was. He was an icon of the community, let’s keep him there.

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’    Matthew Chapter 25 vs 40

The videos or typed stories can be sent to fathercarrstory@gmail.com

Pax Christi,

Jim

COMMUNITY

I am in awe of the committee we have planning our first CARRnival for KIDS. These volunteers abound with great ideas. Nothing stops them from putting an idea into action. It’s been very rewarding to be part of it. We are really excited to bring this event to Oshkosh and beyond. One of the many adjectives we are using to identify our carnival is community. It is a “community” event, as we say.

What does that mean? Sure, it means it is for Oshkosh. It even means it is for the six counties Father Carr’s primarily serves. It’s for men, women and children. It’s for everyone. CARRnival for KIDS is for the whole community.

It takes individuals to make up a community. Usually individuals with a common interest. Certainly not every individual or person is the same. We are different in many ways. One unique way is the abundances we have. Some people have an abundance of joy, some laughter, some confidence. Some have an abundance of shyness, some uncertainty, some fear. There are individuals with an abundance of fortitude, some wisdom, and still others an abundance of faith, hope and love. Others deal with those abundances of nervousness, doubt and even anger. These abundances we live with come to us through the Light or through darkness. Everyone experiences abundances of both sources. 

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:5

CARRnival for KIDS is the perfect venue to bring these abundances together. It is an event where all of us as individuals can come together and share the abundances we live with. We can share a greeting or even a simple smile with each other. We can ask someone to ride the ferris wheel. Have our faces painted the same. Share a sidewalk chalk masterpiece. We can ask someone to dance to our favorite song. Let the abundances of Light dissipate those of darkness. Let His Light shine upon us and those we are with.

CARRnival for KIDS has a twofold purpose. Yes, it is for the whole community, but it is also to make the community whole. See you at the carnival.

Pax Christi,

Jim

THE EXIT

Do you ever wonder how many times you say “goodbye” in your life? There are so many different ways to do that. We have long goodbyes when we don’t really want to leave that person, but have to. We have the goodbyes where we leave upset and maybe slam the door. There are the goodbyes at parties that take way too long. On Friday afternoon we might exit the office with a quick wave and shout, “See you Monday.” And of course, the awkward first date goodbye, with maybe a kiss to go with it.

One of the ways I can measure a resident’s stay with us is how they say “goodbye” to us. Most of our residents come to us in the same manner. They are desperate, drained of  hope, homeless, crying for help. That’s understandable because that’s why we are here. That is what our ministry is about, to help those in need. We provide hope, shelter, food, and care. The difference between the residents is how our ministry is accepted by them. How they welcome that hope, food, shelter and care. You would think it would be an obvious answer, but it is not. What we provide is not always accepted. And that’s OK. It will always be there for the giving and taking. 

That’s where the goodbye comes in. We have all different types. There is the exit that takes place in the middle of the night, when a resident just leaves. No words, no goodbye, never to be seen again. That departure happens often. It can happen after the resident stays one night, one week or even one month. It’s the type of goodbye that leaves us scratching our heads and wondering if we could have done more or if we gave them all they needed and they just chose to leave.

Another type of exit is when they never come back, but leave all their belongings in their room. After a couple days, we pack up their stuff and open the space for a new needing soul. Sometimes the person will come back for their belongings, but most times not. Again, not even a goodbye or thank you.

Unfortunately we have the exit that is driven by us. When the structure of the house and the lifestyle of the resident collide, we initiate the goodbye. These can be gut wrenching moments, but necessary.  We need one structure for many reasons, not 50 different lifestyles. That’s like a roundabout with two-way traffic. Total chaos.

There are other methods our residents use to say goodbye, but the one that touches us straight to the heart, is when they announce they have secured their own housing and will be moving out. These exits come with hugs, thank yous, and even some joyful tears from all of us. Their desperation has vanished, their hope and joy is apparent, and their gratitude sincere. 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.”

Thessalonians 5:16-18

Whatever manner someone says goodbye to us is OK. We really don’t judge by their exit. We were glad to be there for them. We know that when they leave the Place 2B, the food they consumed is gone, the hot water we provided is literally down the drain, their warm room and sheets will be cleaned and laundered. Almost everything we gave them will be used and gone forever. Everything, but the Mustard Seeds. Those will remain with them forever. The messages of Christ that came to them through our ministry will live in them forever. Someday, in some future situation, that mustard seed will blossom in them and their heart will fill with gratitude to our Lord. That mustard seed is infinite. It is the most important gift we can give anyone. It will grow until nothing is impossible for them.

“For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20-21

Our Life Enrichment Program consists of four areas. We help our residents grow in physical health, mental health, financially and spiritually.

 Stop into our Community Cafe for a hot drink and some mustard seeds.

Pax Christi,

Jim

WORD OF THE DAY

Our brand-new LED message board was installed right before I started in August. I have to admit, I have fun thinking of ways to use the sign. I can grab just about any logo off the web and personalize the sign for visiting groups. It’s fun to hear their reaction when they see their name in lights. Another idea I’ve used since I started is posting a “Word of the Day.” My hope is those who frequently drive past us on Koeller Street will get in the habit of checking what each day has to offer. Plus, they will see the other events we are promoting. The challenge is coming up with a different word every day.

Many of the residents who stay with us or come to us for assistance are in some type of recovery. All different addictions; drugs, alcoholism, pornography, gambling, etc. Many are dealing with mental health and anxiety issues. For some, it’s family matters, financial worries or depression. I state this because I want our message board to resonate with them on a daily basis. I want to send a message to all viewers using these “Words of the Day”. We are all battling or recovering from some issue in our life. The first words I chose were the principal words for the “12 Steps of Recovery.” Now the 12 Steps are synonymous with Alcoholics Anonymous. That iconic recovery group did develop them. But those who work the 12 Steps will tell you that they are not all about quitting drinking. The 12 Steps are about strengthening your spiritual life and living a life God imagined us to live–our life’s action plan. The steps can be used for many out-of-control moments in one’s life or as a maintenance plan. The steps can take you from “rock bottom” to a God-centered, soul seeking and cleaning experience until your life is balanced and completely in control with our Lord’s guidance. Isn’t that what we all want? To live in God’s will. That’s the message I want our residents and passing traffic to see. Those words are; honesty, hope, surrender, courage, integrity, acceptance, humility, willingness, forgiveness, discipline, awareness and service.

But, after twelve days I’m out of words. Now what? The week before I started, I prayed the Novena to the Holy Spirit. Addressed to the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, this novena is said to be a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian. Through the novena, you pray for each of the seven gifts we received at our baptism and confirmation. The seven gifts are also known as sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, because they serve the purpose of rendering their recipients docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives, helping them to grow in holiness and making them fit for heaven. – Catholic Answers  These seven gifts are; wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, piety and fear of the Lord. That’s seven more words. I really liked the message our new sign was conveying.

My mind automatically went from the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit to the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit. I was up to nineteen words. Twelve more would be thirty one and that means a whole month. Perfect! Plus, the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit go very much together. Again Catholic Answers tells us, “The twelve fruits are different from the seven gifts of the Spirit in that while the seven gifts are virtues for us to follow, the twelve fruits are the actions that those gifts produce.”  Those fruits are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, modesty, chastity, and goodness.

So now our “Words of the Day” consist of an action plan, the gifts needed to complete the action plan, and the fruits our actions will produce, all through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 Drive by or better yet, stop in and see what the “Word of the Day” means for you.

Pax Christi,

Jim

WHERE’S JESUS

At our men’s shelter meeting last night I read from Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 2: vs 41-52. It’s the reading of Jesus staying behind in the temple in Jerusalem, while Mary and Joseph started back with others to Nazareth. They thought Jesus was with them in the caravan until they couldn’t find him. They backtracked and found Jesus amongst the elders and teachers in the temple.  The elders were amazed at this young Boy’s questions and answers. Mary and Joseph were astonished at this sight. His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for You anxiously.”

It is the only time we hear Mary speak of being anxious or having anxiety. Mary knew Jesus His entire earthly life, from the Immaculate Conception to His Ascension into Heaven. She was with Him every step through childhood, the start of His ministry, His first miracle in Cana, all through His entire Passion, to when He laid lifeless in her arms after His crucifixion. During the rest of Jesus’s life, she never mentioned again she was anxious. Without a doubt, Mother Mary was saddened, deeply hurt watching her Son go through what He did. She felt pain and sorrow. She knew it had to happen, being forewarned. She accepted her role without hesitation or question. The only time she mentioned being anxious though, was when she lost Him.

Anxiety is very prevalent in our society today. Our message to the men last night was, “Do you know where Jesus is in your life”? When was the last time you spoke to Him? When was the last time you listened to Him? When was the last time you went to a quiet place to hear His voice? Our world is LOUD. So many of us are walking around with earbuds stuffed into ears we can’t hear the birds chirp or a passerby greet us “hello”. I am sure what we prescribe in anxiety medicine is done with good intent and reason, but nothing can replace a relationship with our Lord. A sane person can see the more we exclude Jesus, prayer and Sunday church from our lives, the more we struggle with anxiety. We can’t continue to bring children into this world and not introduce them to our Lord and the sacraments He gave us. The One who created us is the One who can give us peace. Help your family and loved ones find Jesus.

Please pray for our residents and all who are struggling with anxiety.

As I have seen on many bumper stickers…

NO JESUS NO PEACE, KNOW JESUS KNOW PEACE!

Pax Christi,

Jim

WHAT CHILD IS THIS

We all do it. We sit and stare in awe of newborn babies. They are after all miracles. We look at their tiny features trying to figure out who they resemble. We wait for those very first expressions, that first smile. I can only imagine what thoughts were going through Mary and Joseph as they looked at baby Jesus. They already knew who He was, but had no idea how this was going to play out in their lives. It had already turned their lives upside down. Angels had appeared to both of them. The messages from God were clear, yet mysterious and created so much unknown. Mary answered confidently and humbly with her infamous “Yes”. Joseph’s vocation went from a simple craftsman to guardian of the Redeemer. His workshop literally became a tabernacle as he taught this Godchild his craft. Yes, everything changed! In the still of that cold eve, these earthly parents stared at this baby Savior in awe, and wondered what’s next?

As we wrap up 2022, we at The Place 2B need to continue to look to Jesus. Every day our “what’s next” is unknown. Every soul in need who walks through our doors is looking for some hope. Or maybe some purpose in life. Or maybe someone to just listen to them. Through my Cursillo journey and my months at FCP2B, Jesus has given me one clear message. Live for today! Stay in the present, and keep Me present in your life. Keep looking to Me for I am with you always. Those who come to Father Carr’s aren’t worried about tomorrow. They only are trying to get through the day, maybe the hour. I need to be where they are and bring Jesus to them. 

Tomorrow is unknown, and the unknown brings unnecessary anxiety. I’m at my best if I live for today. How many days have we had our schedule all laid out and by 5:00 none of it was accomplished? It happens to me all the time. Yes Jesus, I hear You. You got this, and I need to trust You. 

So enjoy each of the next 365 days, one at a time. Happy New Year from the Place 2B!

Pax Christi,

Jim

I’m compiling this post while sitting in our chapel inside the Mother Teresa Center. A beautiful nativity set came to us this year from a generous donor. As I stare at the baby Jesus in His manger crib, my peripheral view also collects the sight of the tabernacle and Christ crucified on the cross above the altar. To see all three images at once…there are no words…