Saint Francis Inn ~ Weekend Immersion Ministry
Mercy Mission weekend immersions at the St. Francis Inn, Kensington Philadelphia will take place in the Fall and Spring of each year. Immersion Ministry challenges us to step out of our comfort zone to accompany people on the margins and to critically engage with the social injustices facing those in most need – and allows us to be radically transformed in the process. While our Immersion Missions will last one weekend, the knowledge that we gain and the growth we experience will last long after. It radically expands our efforts to work towards justice and nurtures our faith and prayer life. It helps us to firsthand understand the Word of God that instructs us, time and time again, to serve ‘the least of these’. It is life changing for those we serve and those of us who work with, and beside one another in the love of God.
About the Mission Weekend:
We are housed at the Inn, the “All Saints Apartment”, for the weekend to serve the poorest of the poor at their “Table of Four” Soup Kitchen. We typically take a group of ten parishioners for each weekend. Please read the information below and if this great opportunity to know, love and serve the Lord speaks to your heart, please reach out for more information or to sign up!
The Saint Francis Inn has been serving meals to the neediest individuals and families in Philadelphia since 1979. They opened their doors in December of 1979 and have served a meal every day since then, through blizzards, hurricanes and even throughout the pandemic, they have not missed one day providing meals “to go”. A breakfast of hot or cold cereal or pastries is served three days a week, while they serve a sit-down meal in their dining room every day. They now serve over 350 meals a day with an emphasis on the dignity and respect of their clients. Their meal is unique because they are served restaurant-style; their guests do not walk through a line to get their food; however, the compassionate volunteers serve those in need at their tables. They rely on the generosity of local grocery stores and businesses as well as churches and individuals to donate food so that daily meals can be served. They rely on Divine Providence every day. Volunteers come daily to help cook, serve, and clean. With the help and support of volunteers and benefactors, they can serve ‘the least of these’ every day with a warm, nourishing meal in a caring and respectful setting.
In addition to the dine-in meals, the Inn also provides food baskets for families and homebound seniors each week. A mixture of fresh and non-perishable foods supply regular sustenance to those unable to come to the Inn for meals.
My first weekend volunteering over ten years ago was an experience that changed my life. Eight brave volunteers and a servant leader who followed the advice of her daughters, ventured into the city of brotherly love. What we found, stumbled on, was the brotherly/sisterly love of Christ given and received in abundance. It was our task to serve the poorest of the poor at the Saint Francis Inn Ministries for a weekend. As we entered into our service deeply ...it became less of a task and more of a joy!
We took up residence for the weekend in one of the most poverty-stricken areas of Philadelphia where the homeless slept outside our doorstep. Above our apartment door, painted clearly, read "All saints". What we quickly became aware of was that the sign above the door was not referring to those of us sleeping in a warm house and in somewhat comfortable beds, rather it was referring to those living like our crucified Christ on the pavement below us. We went to sleep in gratitude for the countless gifts we are showered with, which we often take for granted: a bed to sleep in, a roof over our heads, food on our tables and in our stomachs, warm showers, clean clothing, and the list goes on and on. We prayed together for our ministering and for those we would serve. Retiring to the sound of the Elevated Train literally outside our window, car alarms and sirens, most of us were able to drift off to sleep. I awoke suddenly on Saturday morning to a voice yelling " I'm here! I'm here!". I was not the only one awoken to this call. We knew this was one of the homeless guests waiting for their meal to be served. However, as our ministry began, it became obvious to each of us that it was really Christ calling to us repeatedly… "I'm here! I'm here!". Here in the poor, the outcast and suffering… the one you welcome, provide food and comfort… I am here. I am proud, privileged and deeply moved that this group responded in the most loving way - not only by providing food, some six hundred meals … but by providing the most nourishing need.... the love of Christ alive. Saint James in the scripture is often recognized for the words "faith without works is dead". For certain… faith was vibrantly alive, radiantly alive in good works, generous deeds and the abundant love given selflessly by this amazing group. This faith is made alive by the Christ we find in distressing disguise ...in those we served. One man who thanked us for his meal, his blessing proclaiming.... "Every day I wake up is a good day, and I thank God". And so, I ask, does this man have nothing, or does he have everything? The answer so clear to us humbled by his tremendous faith. Everything that matters! Everything that matters! The Saint Francis Inn Ministries is a taste of heaven on earth!
Saint Joseph Church is committed to serve: Weekend Missions are April 14-16, 2022 and September 15-17, 2023. We also have one day Missions on August 6, 2023 - August 13, 2023 and August 27, 2023
To get at better glimpse of what a weekend of service at Saint Francis Inn looks like, please watch the video posted on this page. Please reach out to Victor Fung at Vfung@sjmillstone.com or fill out the form below if you would like more information or to get involved!
“For it is in giving that we receive.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi
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