What do the Jesuits and Oprah have in common?

Whether you're an Oprah fan or not, you have to admit that it's pretty cool that she picked a Jesuit author for her latest Book Club book. Fr. Uwem Akpan, SJ wrote this series of 5 short stories each set in a different African country and tackling some of the most difficult topics from poverty to child slavery to genocide. Each story is written from a child's perspective.

Fr. Akpan is a Jesuit from the East Africa Province who also studied at Creighton University and Gonzaga University before returning to his home.

-Lauren G

Cleaning the shelter

On Saturday, a group of young adults from Charis and Old St. Pat's went to the Franciscan House of Mary and Joseph to help clean up the shelter. I've been there for a Service Day in the past, but the thing that always strikes me when I first walk in is the sheer number of beds that they have in a single room. Every night, nearly 170 men sleep in the transitional dorm and another 40 or so sleep in the room for the regulars. The women's dorm houses 37 each night.

During our time there, we swept and mopped each of the dorms, moving beds out of the way to give a thorough cleaning. The dorm that houses the regulars is for those who have a job or who are working with a case worker to improve their situation and eventually move into their own apartments. Everything that these people have is neatly on or under their beds. You can really tell what the guests value by what they choose to keep in this limited space.

One of the things that I learned on Saturday was that the Franciscan House turns more people away each night during the summer than in the winter. I assumed that the opposite would be the case, but the Franciscan House is one of the few year round shelters in the city. Most shelters are just open for the winter.

The Franciscan Outreach Association who runs the shelter is a wonderful ministry that provides many services for the homeless in our community. If you're looking for a way to get involved and serve Jesus through the least of our brothers and sisters, check out what they provide.

-Lauren G

Continuing the dialogue

For those who were interested in the debate on whether President Obama should have been invited to speak and receive an honorary degree at Notre Dame, here is some follow-up from Notre Dame President Fr. John Jenkins, CSC.

His letter references the welcome speech he gave before Obama spoke. Check his speech out on YouTube.


It's great to continue the discussion and look for ways that we can promote the dignity of life at all phases.
-Lauren G

Catholic Open House: Success!

This Sunday, Charis joined with a number of young adult Catholic organizations in Chicago for our second annual Catholic Open House at the Ark Café. At the event, we teamed up with representatives from parishes, regional young adult ministries, university program and other social and volunteer organizations to discuss our programs with some of the many young adults that decided to stop by.

Coming back from a long hiatus, the Ark Café greeted a packed house of ministers, representatives and young adult Catholics looking to connect with different groups in Chicago and try the hors d’oeuvres. We had a great time meeting a ton of new people and hearing the enthusiasm so many people have for ours and other ministries.

We really want to thank all our sponsoring partners for the support they gave in putting on the event and for everyone who took the time to come and support our different ministries.

-Jesse K.

"Reach out and touch faith..."

The Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House was the scene of The Jesus Retreat, a very deep and profound retreat experience led by Charis. Through witness talks, personal reflection and group reflection, a group of fifty four retreatants walked down the road of truth toward a more intimate relationship with Jesus.

When I reflect on my favorite moments throughout the weekend, I think of all the “ah-ha” moments in my mind. I journeyed through the weekend hearing women and men reveal their very personal and deep relationship with God through struggle and triumph; receiving the sacrament of reconciliation with Eucharistic adoration; participating in Lexio Devina; personal spiritual reading; walking the stations of the Cross; and the many great conversations. I walked away Sunday a more grounded person in the Lord.

As the band Depeche Mode had so eloquently bantered, “Your own Personal Jesus. Someone to hear your prayers, someone who cares. Someone who’s there…Reach out and touch Faith.” A very Personal Jesus was present and alive throughout this deeply spiritual weekend!

-Brian M.

I Saw Jesus Everywhere I Turned

The Lord was everywhere on Charis Ministries' Habitat for Humanity Service Trip to Pontotoc, Mississippi last week. I saw Jesus' face in the smiles of the people who greeted us like family instead of strangers. They are people who don't have much in material or personal wealth, but are rich in Christian kindness. I saw Jesus' heart in the 12 amazing Charis volunteers I worked alongside in the blazing Mississippi sun. I saw Jesus' soul in Habitat Pontotoc's Barbara and Wayne Carter and Keith and Linda Thomas. They are people who live their lives by God's simple creed: Love Thy Neighbor.

In an imperfect world gripped by a crippling recession where so many people today are struggling to provide for their families, battling illness, depression, hopelessness and are just summoning up the strength to make it through each day, I saw what a perfect Christian community is. I felt the power of God's love in so many ways. I saw Heaven in the real world in Pontotoc. And I was reminded how we each can be a symbol of Jesus' love to every one we know and everyone we meet. His love is inside us all.

-Clete C.

The Longview

We are finding ourselves right at home here in Pontotoc. Our days have been filled with everything from building stairs to laying sod and landscaping. Keith, Habitat's Project Manager, has been very patient in teaching us the many skills it takes to build a home. After a hard day's work, the gracious community fills our evenings with good company and mouth-watering meals. We've enjoyed some of the best biscuits, chicken, and deserts we've ever tasted. We're all jotting down several new recipes, but we'll be hard pressed to recreate that Southern hospitality that makes these meals so special.

Last night, Liz guided us through a reflection on "The Longview" by Archbishop Oscar Romero. In it, Romero challenges us to see our service as part of something greater, as we may never see the results of our labor. That message has peppered my thoughts today, as the house we are working on is beginning to take the shape of a home. While we may never witness first-hand how this house will enrich the family living in it, we know that our collective effort is part of something far greater than ourselves, something that will last far beyond one week in Mississippi.

-Mary Ellen M.