One of the truly blessed and unexpected lessons I've learned so far is how much the communities around me live in the moment. I have the opportunity to serve many different groups of people from individuals with intellectual disabilities attending day programs to people experiencing homelessness receiving meals and clothes from different outreach locations. [...]
In November of 2021, Commonweal Magazine published a special issue with the heading "The Varieties of Religious Community Today" in which a collection of articles profiled the charism, ministry, and community life of a variety of religious communities throughout the United States. Commonweal did an admirable job of featuring a wide range of lay [...]
If you asked me a year ago what I would be doing in a year, I would honestly tell you I do not have a clue. I could tell you my goals and aspirations of what could come next but I had no concrete plan for what was to come. I was in the [...]
“My Neighbor” - two words that summon thoughts of the kids next door who wail in the morning, the man across the street with disdain for loud noises (and perhaps people, in general), and the sweet old southern lady named Dot who I have been blessed to call my neighbor this year. “My Neighbor” [...]
Love, Lived in Service took on a whole new meaning for me, having been given the opportunity to be at St. Francis Inn, to live, serve, and see the connection between poverty and the soul. The Old Testament is deeply rooted in this religious concept of poverty (Zephaniah). It was more to do with [...]
Working at St Francis Inn, you get to see a lot of diverse guests dine in. Some guests come every day and you get to learn their names and their stories. Some guests, you learn their names because they are truly needy and are ringing the bell every day asking for something. Some guests [...]
One of the most important parts of my year has been making connections. Whether that be with the staff or guests, I always feel like I’m making connections. These new relationships have made a significant impact on me. Our guests have grown on me so much throughout my time here. Just something as simple [...]
There were many good reasons to commit to spending a year as an FVM at St. Francis Inn, including serving those in need, opportunities for spiritual and personal growth, and experiencing community life. And don’t get me wrong, I am deeply grateful for all of those things, but what has stood out to me [...]
When I hear the words “My Neighbor,” the first things I think of are the kids next door who cry in the morning, the man who used to live across the street from me who hated loud noises, and the sweet old southern lady named Dot who I have been blessed to call my neighbor [...]
Hi my name is Ricky Ferrer. I arrived in Philly both excited and anxious because of the unknown that is before me. St. Francis Inn was founded by three Franciscan brothers who came to Philly, the city of Brotherly Love, to see the need for ministry in the area and how they can respond [...]
