“Then I walked across the street and caught the Sunday smell of someone’s fryin’ chicken and Lord, it took me back to somethin’ that I’d lost somewhere, somehow along the way”. Lyrics from song, “Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Johnny Cash

Today, we had the privilege of serving 35 people.

• We have had to change our meet-up spots because of the number of people showing up.  Word on the street travels fast where we are and we can get overwhelmed pretty quick.  Last week our friend (Rachel) informed us she has stage 4 cancer.  It was hard to get any information about this through her tears.  We looked for her and her partner (Bosch) this week but couldn’t find them.  They moved to a new location because their original spot was taken over by a bunch of young street friends and it got too chaotic to stay there.

• We are under no illusion that all the people we meet on the street have good intentions, but we know who to avoid.  This got me to thinking.  I was speaking with a friend with mental challenges who told me his stepfather never liked him and thought of him as a burden.  We can only imagine what kind of scar this left on his heart.  How many people do we encounter that have challenges or can be difficult?  Do we see them as Jesus does?  Are we inconvenienced or do we show love and compassion?  This is a tough question, especially during the holidays which can be a dark period for our friends who live day to day – some in a tent or doorway – separated from family.

• Gloves and hats were very much in demand.  Some of our friends, when they receive our packet of $10 bill/$10 Dunkin Donuts card/prayer card, head straight to Dunkin Donuts to get a coffee and get warm.  The DD card allows them entrance.  Oreos, Cheez-Its, granola bars, along with water and Gatorade go quick also.

• We met a new friend (Jay) who was with our friend (Jessie) who was explaining to him what we do.  He was very happy with our packet and snacks.  He asked for sweatpants but we ran out and told him we would bring some next Saturday.

• There is a new announcement made at our church, after the lector talks, about upcoming events.  Then they announce to “silence your hearts, minds and your cellphones”.  I get the cellphones, but hearts and minds could be so we can hear the words of the gospel readings during mass?  But what if we silenced our hearts and minds to our friends on the street?  Would they then become a burden or eyesore, another scar on their hearts?  How do we speak the language of the heart?

“The Lord opens the eyes of the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down”. Psalm 146-8

PLEASE NOTE:    We have changed our location for donations for On the Street Ministry from Holy Cross Retreat House to My Brother’s Keeper.    We currently have a box in the main stairway on the 1^st floor of MBK.  If you have recurring orders through Amazon or any other retail website, please change the delivery address to:

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On the Street Ministry

c/o Shaun Teed

67 Turner Road

Scituate, MA 02066

Thanks to all the people who support our ministry dropping off clothes, DD cards, at MBK. We are also grateful for the support of My Brothers Keeper allowing us to keep a donation box there.

God Bless,

Liz Londergan

Shaun Teed and Tito

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