Newsletter: November 2024
Dear Friends of Joseph House:
We enjoyed watching the Olympic Games this past summer, and it’s always exciting to see athletes find an extra burst of energy as they enter the home stretch of a race. Sometimes even a marathon comes down to a sprint at the end. They might be running on fumes, but somehow they find the strength deep inside to reach the finish line.
That’s sort of how it feels around here at the Joseph House as we enter the final weeks of the year. After we round the bend at Thanksgiving we make a final dash toward Christmas.
This is the time of year when toys, turkeys, canned goods, and winter clothes become the main topics of our conversation. There is so much to do as we and our volunteers get ready to share the goodwill of the holiday season with hundreds of needy families. Not only can it feel like a race, it’s one in which we’re carrying boxes and bags — though we’ve reached the point where we let the more able-bodied among us do any heavy lifting.
Yes, it’s a busy time, but also very joyful because we see so much love filling the hearts of people, and we know that every donation means someone else’s prayer is being answered. By Christmas Day we’re ready to let out a collective sigh of relief, and yet it is, and always will be, our favorite time of year.
You, our loyal friends and donors, are partners in all that we do. Every year you rise to the occasion and give us so many good things to share with the poor. Our gratitude for you knows no bounds.
And we always need you, not only for the holiday rush. The caseload at the Crisis Center has been heavy all year. Families are desperate for the basic necessities and are running out of options to get help. Thanks to you, the Joseph House is here for them.
For example, Seth, 35, really needed help — he was in a car accident and broke his neck! He is recovering, but obviously going back to his job as a construction worker is impossible, at least for now. He has a long road of physical therapy ahead of him. Seth is waiting for insurance money and any government assistance. He said they are all slow to act. With no income and no savings and with no let up in the bills coming in, Seth needed help without delay. Thankfully, because of your support, the Joseph House is always ready to act immediately. Seth was in danger of being evicted but we paid $500 toward his past-due rent.
Benita, 28, feels like she’s had more than enough trauma to last her a long time. She has blood cancer, and the treatment has been grueling: she has no more lymph nodes to be surgically removed. Her father died recently of cancer, and her mother has never been part of her life. In terms of family, it’s just Benita and her younger brother (she still looks after him). As all of her sick leave has been used up, Benita has returned to work. She spent the entire amount of her last paycheck ($400) on the electric bill. There was still a large balance remaining, so the Joseph House paid $500 to prevent a disconnect.
Twenty years ago, Roland, 64, was in an apartment fire. His hands were severely burned and disfigured. Since then, finding work has been difficult. He struggles to get by, living a bare bones existence, walking where he needs to go. A past-due electric bill of $273 brought him to our Crisis Center. We paid the full amount.
Todd, 63, had uncontrolled diabetes that was causing him to pass out at work. He was fired, but he’s now under a doctor’s care. Unfortunately, Todd found out he also has multiple tumors in his abdomen. The prognosis was uncertain when he came to our Crisis Center. Trying to take things one step at a time, Todd said his immediate needs were his rent and electric bills. The Joseph House helped with both, issuing check for $151 and $200, respectively.
Juana, 37, is the mother of five children. She was working at a chicken plant but a series of illnesses kept her from her job. Juana was unemployed for a while, but now she has a new job as a housecleaner. She worked hard to make up for the lost wages, paying $1,500 toward her back rent. The final $650 she owed was out of reach given her income, and an eviction was forthcoming. The Joseph House paid what was due.
Graham, 35, works as a truck driver. His wife has four children from a previous marriage, and Graham is eager to be a good father and plans to legally adopt them. He grew up in the foster care system and understands deep down the value of a stable family life. Since his job required him to be on the road away from this family, Graham quit and found a new job as a local delivery driver. The disruption in his pay caused him to fall behind in the rent. Since we believe in family life too, we sent $400 to his landlord.
Turkeys and Toys Needed
Our Thanksgiving and Christmas giveaway programs need your donations.
Frozen turkeys for Thanksgiving are needed by November 24.
Christmas toys and gifts (new and unwrapped) for children up to the age of 14 are needed by December 15. We prefer gifts that do not require batteries and no toy guns please. Some suggestions: basketballs, soccer balls, etc., LEGO sets, board games, books, arts & crafts supplies, jewelry boxes. Or ask your favorite child! We also need hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves for children of all ages.
Donations can be dropped off at our convent at 411 N. Poplar Hill Avenue in Salisbury. Questions? Please call us at 410-742-9590 or send a message: Contact Form.
When we take the time to count our blessings, there’s usually a lot more than we realize. Remembering all the recent hurricane victims can help us see more clearly what we take for granted. We hope a true spirit of gratitude is at the heart of your Thanksgiving celebration. No matter how you spend the day, may it bring you closer to God’s love for you.
From all of us at the Joseph House, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving!
Your Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary
Please send us your prayer intentions and we will pray for your needs: Contact Form
The Joseph House depends on your support. Make a donation today: Donate
Your donations of food and toys are also needed this holiday season: Holiday Giving
The following is from an article written by Fr. Joe Breighner for Baltimore’s The Catholic Review back in 1986.
Salvation from the bottom up
Connie Ladd is someone most people have probably never heard of. Recently she entered religious life as a member of the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, an Order most people have never heard of either. . . .
Sister Mary Elizabeth is the founder of the Order. I had the privilege of knowing her as Mae Gintling when I was a college seminarian helping at Joseph House in Baltimore’s inner city. While Joseph House has moved, Sister’s heart has not. . . . Around her a religious order has grown up, and Connie Ladd has recently joined that Order. Connie is a person of so many qualities that any description seems inadequate. She is a wonderful mother, a dedicated teacher, a gourmet cook, a multi-degreed professional and last, but not least, a woman of faith.
I first met Connie as the weekend cook at the Cathedral Rectory, but I came to appreciate her for so much more. She was always caring, always sensitive, always wanting to do more, and always thinking of others. . . .
Connie has never been afraid to take risks. In leaving behind family, career, security and salary to join the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, Connie has risked her life. Her stepping out in faith is encouragement for those of us who are a bit more hesitant. Her stepping out in faith can inspire us who are weary of the strife within the church. . . .
So try not to be too discouraged or upset about the public battles within the church. If you have difficulty in seeing Christ in the struggles at the top, look for Christ in the people at the bottom. It will be people of faith like the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary who will make the church believable. It will be the lowly who will save the church.