The New Wine Press vol 25 no 4 December 2016 | Page 13

alone away. That takes having someone who is willing
to be there for you. It takes someone who is willing to
listen; it takes someone there assuring you that they
“Got your back.”
Maybe I listened because I had to—there was nowhere to go. But I’d like to think I listened because I
know that is what is needed.
I was listening to public radio the other day and two
regular contributors, David Brooks of the New York
Times and E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post, were
speaking of theology and the criminal justice system.
David Brooks told a story of an old friend who has
worked with “at-risk” youth for 40 years. Someone
asked this veteran of youth work which program, out
all the many programs, really worked. His reply was
that he didn’t know of any such program—but in his
experience, what really did work, what really did have
a real impact, was the consistent presence that helps a
kid feel that they are loved.
This is precisely why I do this work. You see, all my
life I have felt loved. Whether it was my parents years
ago, my sisters and brothers today, or my friends and
colleagues, I have always felt loved. And so when a kid
tells me he’s got no one, feels all alone—well it breaks
my heart.
As a society, we need to do better. That any child in
our world grows up feeling like he or she has no one is
sinful. I am not talking about the occasional feeling of
loneliness, I am talking about the overall feeling that I
am alone, that I have no value.
There is a lot of loneliness in this world and a lot
of fear. There are little children who are afraid to go
to bed at night because they are not sure what will
happen to them or to their parents. There are children
who wonder what will become of them, to whom can
they go or who cares if they exist. They wander our
streets, we judge them, we fear them, we ignore them.
Pope Francis, on a recent trip to Sweden, stated,
“New situations require new energy and a new commitment,” and then he offered a new list of Beatitudes
for modern Christians. I quote #2: “Blessed are those
who look into the eyes of the abandoned and marginalized and show them their closeness.”
We can do better. We need to do better. It is living
out the first and greatest commandment. W

Michael Kirkland, continued from page 5
Miller, for example, sent me an awesome gift
and sweet card. She has been so supportive of
me from the beginning of my journey and has
never given up on me.
Each morning we pray together. Some
mornings I resist leaving my warm bed, but
each time after prayer I feel a little lighter. Each
evening we gather at the Eucharistic table to
celebrate our bond of charity. This is a powerful
moment each time we gather. As we stand together at the table I feel the power and strength
of the Cup of the Covenant. After the Lord’s
Prayer we offer peace, and I get a little closer to
my community and God. I feel my heart opens
to all possibilities and I am eager to share the
Good News with others.
My favorite part of community is sharing a
meal with my brothers. I’m a bayou boy from
the Big Easy. I love to cook and have a good
time. We just relax and have some great conversations. Each time we gather laugher rings
out throughout the meal. I’m reminded of my
grandmother who always told me “a great meal
is the highway to the heart.”
My formation continues to evolve and the
possibilities seem endless. I’m beginning to
deepen my spirituality, as it becomes our
spirituality. My studies have been challenging
and exciting all at the same time. I’m starting to
understand scripture in ways I never imagined.
I’m also pleased to begin working with Catholic
Charities and continue working with disenfranchised and marginalized communities. Oh yes,
I almost forgot, my house chore is trash duty
and it continues keeps me humble.
I was fearful that my introvert tendencies
would not be welcomed. But that’s not the
case. I felt from the beginning that Fr. Timothy
Armbruster and Fr. Matt Link really opened my
eyes to community; their energy is infectious
and their love for our faith is graciously shared
with others. I find that is a common theme in
our community. And I want to be a part of it. I
have found a place to call home and I am very
thankful to God each day for the privilege to
walk with some amazing brothers. W
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