In the Dec. 22 column about homelessness in Stark County (“How Stark County can help homeless”), the writer has a lot of good points that I agree with.
The one I agree with the most is showing compassion toward the homeless. In addition to showing compassion, I’d like to add mercy to that list.
I am an unworthy lay minister in the Catholic Church, I have my own homeless ministry among the other ministries I’m involved with and perform. I drive around town looking for homeless people. When I see them, I give them a packet that contains a rosary, a pamphlet on how to pray the rosary, a Divine Mercy prayer card, miraculous medal, a Sacred Heart of Jesus badge, and a letter of encouragement from me.
This time of year, I am giving out blankets to those who need them. All this is an act of mercy toward the homeless. Over the last few months, I have noticed in places where I usually find the lost and forgotten children of God who are homeless signs discouraging panhandling and where they beg.
I feel this was a huge mistake, and if anything, it is a sign telling us how much we have forgotten the gospel and how Jesus told us how we will always have the poor with us.
When I see the homeless outside Mercy Hospital or at the corner of McKinley and 12th Avenue or anywhere in town, I don’t see a homeless person; I see the face of Jesus who died for each one of us. These places around town are where Jesus lives in Canton.
You never know when, where or how Jesus will show up and who he will use. Maybe he is using the homeless in Canton to be among us? God bless.…Read more by Canton Repository
