Newsletter: October 2025
Dear Friends of Joseph House:
If there is a guiding principle for our ministry, it can be found in this passage from the Gospel:
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. . . . Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me. (Matthew 25:35-36, 40)
Tradition calls these the Corporal Works of Mercy. They are “works,” not ideas or theories to be entertained in the comfort of the mind. They call forth an active, concrete response to the suffering around us. Caring for those in need through acts of love is caring for the Body of Christ. This is the mystery that gave meaning and purpose to our founder, Sr. Mary Elizabeth Gintling. She loved the poor as she loved Christ, and in establishing the Joseph House she made it easier for many people to do the same.
We remember our founder in a special way at this time of year because she left us for heavenly glory on October 27, 2004. The falling leaves and shorter days make October a wistful time, but we are not sad but grateful for all that Sister gave us. When she said “yes” to God, she set in motion a sequence of events that would change our lives, the lives of the poor, and the lives of people like you. Sr. Mary Elizabeth made a difference, and each one of us can do the same. She showed us how by doing her part and trusting God to do the rest.
Sister was eminently grounded in a wide assortment of daily concerns, but she knew that this life and this toil do not last forever. She was on a journey, a pilgrimage, and she knew there was a destination, and she knew how to get there. More than 50 years ago, she wrote in this Newsletter:
Our age seems to me to be an age of complexities and clutter, so God has to simplify our final exam for us. The whole exam is there in Matthew 25:31-46. Best of all, God gave us the answers along with the questions, so we have no real excuse for flunking.
Sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger . . . passing our final exam depends on doing these things. Sounds simple, but not always simple to do. By working together and supporting each other—in other words, by being a caring community—we can do it.
As partners with the Joseph House, you bring love, compassion, and immediate assistance to people in need. The stories of some recent visitors to our Crisis Center show that.
Phoebe, 40, and her two children became homeless after fleeing an abusive situation. After a few months, Phoebe started to receive temporary benefits from Social Services ($642 per month). Her caseworker also found her an affordable place to live with a monthly rent of $250. But there was a problem, a huge one: in order to move in, Phoebe needed to pay a security deposit of $1,500! How could she be expected to do that? This is another example of how everything works against people with low incomes. Even when they get help they get knocked down by the unrelenting greed of our society. The Joseph House made a generous contribution to enable Phoebe and her children to move into the apartment. It is nearly impossible for anyone to get back on his or her feet without a place to live.
Willow, 25, was also homeless for a few months, despite working two jobs. She lived mostly in her car with her three children. Sometimes she would have enough money for a night or two in a motel, a chance to get a shower and sleep in a bed. Willow had the funds to pay rent, but once again it was the hefty security deposit that kept her and her children in a state of homelessness. Fortunately, Willow found her way to the Joseph House, and we made sure this family was settled in stable housing as soon as possible.
Gladys, 61, used to work as a school janitor until one day she was surprised, of all things, by a snake! She started to run and then tripped, injuring her shoulder when she hit the floor. Gladys did receive Workmen’s Compensation, but when that was over she no longer had a job at the school. Finding work is hard, especially for seniors. The Joseph House helped Gladys pay her rent while she looked for employment.
Frances, 64, and her husband, 74, have lived in their home for 30 years, although it is barely livable. Whenever the temperature dropped well below freezing they had to stay in a cheap motel. In the past they could cope with the disrepair of their house, but now that they are both in declining health it is becoming unsafe. Frances said a small apartment in a senior housing complex is their dream. They can’t afford the move-in costs, however, what with their monthly medical expenses and time payments on a lift chair. The Joseph House stepped in and helped Frances and her husband make the move.
Velma, 43, is looking after her mother who has brain cancer. After her mother had an operation, Velma had to stay with her as a round-the-clock caregiver for several days. Velma’s retail job offers no paid time off, so that was all it took to fall behind in the rent and get an eviction notice. The Joseph House made a payment to Velma’s landlord. Helping a family member go through a health crisis should not result in becoming homeless.
Trent, 60, is disabled and lives in a trailer. A hip replacement is the next surgery awaiting him. The electricity in his trailer had already been off for three weeks when he contacted the Joseph House. That’s a long time to go without lights, refrigeration, a working stove, a fan, etc. He also had no running water because the well pump couldn’t operate. We paid his past-due electric bill right away.
To update what Sr. Mary Elizabeth wrote, our age seems to be one of noise and distraction, of so many voices competing for our attention. There is only one that matters, only one that gives life, only one that promises eternity. It is found in the pages of the Gospel and deep in the heart of our conscience. As always, thank you so much for your support of the Joseph House.
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.
SPECIAL REQUEST: In the past we would occasionally get used cars donated to us, but we haven’t for some time. We know a number of people who have a great need for reliable transportation because of their employment, health reasons, and so on. A working vehicle would be life-changing for them. If you have ever considered donating a car, or you know someone who might be able to, please give us a call (410-742-9590) or send a message: Contact Form. May God bless you.
Words of our Founder
St. Vincent de Paul once said, “It is only because of your love that the poor will forgive you the bread you give them.” Needing someone’s help can be hard to accept. Sometimes people feel ashamed and fearful, and there can be bitterness and resentment about asking someone for help. Our society tends to teach the poor that they’re worthless. This is wrong, of course, but many of the poor, whether consciously or not, take it to heart. If we are not careful, the help we give them can reinforce that belief. We can make them feel inadequate for asking for help.
I am always gratified when our volunteers and supporters discover the truth of what St. Vincent de Paul said. When someone needs help, it’s not just the material aid, but the love that goes with it that gives healing and self-worth and a renewed hope for tomorrow. When we give love we give God, and that’s what people need. Watching people grow in their love for the poor is one of the many joys I receive from this work. That’s how a real sense of community begins.
– Sr. Mary Elizabeth Gintling