Newsletter: June 2025
Dear Friends of Joseph House:
In June of 1931, Angelo Roncalli, the future Pope John XXIII (and canonized saint), spent time on retreat reflecting on his life. He was 49 years old and described himself as “a mature man on the road to old age.” His self-examination proved to be humbling, and he wrote in his journal, “I have achieved very little in half a century of life. . . . I feel ashamed before the Lord.”
His meditation, however, led him past his natural human feelings to the love and mercy of God. A line from a prayer took root in his soul:
‘Heart of Jesus in which the Father is well pleased.’ This invocation has made a great impression on me during this retreat. When the Father’s voice was heard expressing his pleasure, Jesus had as yet done nothing in his life except live in obscurity, in silence and humble prayer, doing the humblest work. Oh what great comfort there is in this teaching!
The Scriptural episode being referenced is the baptism of Christ, when our Lord emerged from the Jordan River and God said from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11). Jesus had yet to begin his public ministry. He had performed no miracles nor preached any sermons. He had just lived a simple and ordinary life with Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. And that was enough — God’s love cannot be earned by doing great things.
Actually, we don’t have to do anything to deserve God’s love: God loves us for who we are.
When we love other people in the same way it opens a new horizon for them. This is the essential aspect of our work at the Joseph House. A man who is homeless and drunk typically receives nothing but judgment and scorn. The same for a single mother on welfare. To greet them with a friendly “hello” and an open heart may not change their lives, but it’s a step along the way. Maybe it’s what they need at the moment. Kindness never goes to waste.
So many people hunger to have their struggles acknowledged, for just an ounce of compassion and understanding. We are here for them . . . to listen, to encourage, and to share our hope. Thanks to your support, the Joseph House can also provide the material assistance they need to get through a crisis and alleviate their suffering.
The case of Shelby and her family is an example of how your donations make an immediate difference to people in need. After being homeless for a while, Shelby and her five children had recently moved into a rental house. Her disability check and temporary state assistance made it possible. The house was partly furnished, and although there were bed frames, Shelby was expected to supply the mattresses. But after paying the rent, Shelby had exactly $41 left over. She would never be able to save enough money to buy bedding for her children.
Fortunately, Shelby came to our Crisis Center and we ordered five inflatable twin bed mattresses. One of our Sisters dropped them off at Shelby’s house. The exterior of the house was somewhat dilapidated, but inside it was clean and neat. Sister got a hug from one of the little girls, and Shelby’s son excitedly told her about Easter.
Although Shelby cannot give her children many material things, they are growing up with love, and that is a treasure that will stay with them forever.
Our caseload at the Crisis Center has been greater than normal. Some days we are swamped with requests for help. Your faithful support and the untiring efforts of our volunteers are a lifeline for many. Thank you all so much!
Alicia, 43, is living with her husband who has suffered three strokes and two heart attacks. He is very depressed and Alicia said he seems to have given up. She does her best to care for him, which often results in her losing time at work. Unable to make a rent payment, Alicia was afraid of getting evicted. The Joseph House paid the rent in full.
Emily is an 86-year-old widow. She is an immigrant and has no family in the area. Emily depends on food pantries for groceries because her fixed income is very small. The Joseph House paid her overdue electric bill so the power would not be cut off in her home.
Kinsley, 43, was working full-time until she began treatment for breast cancer. The side effects have hit her hard and she is on temporary disability — which pays only $375 monthly! Subsidized housing is keeping Kinsley from being homeless, but she needed help with her electric bill. The Joseph House paid what was due.
Caroline, 63, has had a rough life. She was homeless and sleeping in a small camper. After she started to get Social Security, she was hoping to move into an apartment, but the deposits required are outrageous, typically two months of rent in advance. Caroline could never scrape together enough money. The Joseph House paid more than half of what she needed so she could finally live in proper housing.
Megan, 49, came to the Crisis Center on a day we were not open, but we were still able to help her. She was desperate. The electricity was turned off in her home, the bill was sky-high, and the wages from her cleaning job could only put a small dent in it. We called the utility company and promised to pay the minimum (which was a lot). The power was turned on that day. Megan was relieved.
In his autobiography, Pope Francis wrote, “It is love that restores life, that saves. Our faith is not stopped before the wounds and errors of the past but overcomes prejudices and sins.”
To love other people — not in the abstract but actual persons in the flesh and blood — is what saves us all. Pope Francis taught us to go to the margins, to cross boundaries, to share with others the love and mercy we ourselves have received. This requires being receptive to other people, an attitude of the heart that too often seems to be lacking today. As Pope Francis often reminded us, the opposite of love is not necessarily hatred, but indifference.
The world is a big place, filled with all kinds of people, but it feels smaller when we open our heart to those who are different from us.
Thank you for your support of our ministry. You bring hope to so many!
Your Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary
Prayer Requests: Send us your special intentions and the Little Sisters will pray for you: Contact Form.
Donations: Your contribution will help people in need: Donate.
Here is a picture of our custodian at the Crisis Center, Jackie. When he takes a break he likes to read, especially the Bible. Sometimes in our Hospitality Room Jackie will lead an impromptu discussion on Scripture with any of our homeless guests who are interested.
Our Hospitality Room is a day shelter for men and women who are homeless. They can receive food and clothing, take a shower, and have their clothes laundered.
Sometimes our visitors just need a place to rest because they have been awake all night living outside.
Visitors to our Hospitality Room will always find acceptance and any moral support they need. It is a place of community.
“The Son of the Almighty came into our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for and raised by Joseph. God trusted Joseph, as did Mary, who found in him someone who would not only save her life, but would always provide for her and her child. . . .
“Fathers are not born, but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child. Whenever a man accepts responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person. . . .
“Being a father entails introducing children to life and reality. Not holding them back, being overprotective or possessive, but rather making them capable of deciding for themselves, enjoying freedom and exploring new possibilities. . . . The logic of love is always the logic of freedom, and Joseph knew how to love with extraordinary freedom. He never made himself the center of things. He did not think of himself, but focused instead on the lives of Mary and Jesus.”
-POPE FRANCIS (Patris Corde)
May the prayers and example of St. Joseph help all fathers live out their vocation.
Happy Father’s Day!