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COMMENTARY / CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
October 24 , 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Seeing God on the Street
By Gregory Kepferle
CEO , Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and President , Charities Housing Development Corporation
Do you remember the children ’ s bedtime prayer that begins , “ Now I lay me down to sleep …?”
I am so grateful to have a safe warm place to sleep out of the cold in my own home . Yet at last count 7,394 of our neighbors in Santa Clara County did not have that blessing . This included 294 families with over 1,000 family members without a home . As I reflect on these shocking facts , I also reflect on the passage in Matthew ’ s Gospel when disciples wanted to follow Jesus , he said , “ Foxes have holes , and the birds of the air have nests , but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head .” ( MT 8:20 )
The luminous face of God is revealed in our unhoused neighbors who have no place to lay their heads , except on cardboard in a doorway , on the seat of their car , or in a tent under the freeway or along the creek . How do we respond to God when we see Him on the street ? I find one answer in a line from The Wreck of the Deutschland , by Gerard Manly Hopkins , S . J . “ For I greet him the days I meet him , and bless when I understand .” The simple act of saying hello , of acknowledging the presence of another human being even one without a home is a first step toward responding to this crisis in our community .
A second step is by volunteering and providing emergency services and rental assistance to prevent homelessness . Many parishes and community groups provide emergency food , rental assistance or supplies . A number of churches continue to provide rotating shelters for men and women or a safe car park .
A third step is by building more permanent affordable housing . Our Charities Housing Development Corporation has built more than 1,100 units of affordable housing and now manages 17 apartment buildings and 11 shared housing residences for seniors . But we know we need much more . It ’ s estimated that to address the current need for housing for low and moderate income residents , the county would need another 67,500 units ( really the equivalent of another town ).
A fourth step is advocacy . With Bishop McGrath ’ s leadership , last year many of us worked hard and voted to get Measure A passed , which will provide $ 950 million to build nearly 5,000 apartments , many for those who are chronically homeless as well as for families , seniors and veterans . Now we need to advocate with our neighbors to support appropriate sites and zoning to allow these homes to be built .
I invite you to join Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and other organizations and parishes in helping address the crisis of homelessness and affordable housing in our community . Yes , it is an enormous challenge , but each step we take makes a difference in the lives of those who are unhoused .
What will you do when you see God on the street ?
To help Catholic Charities address homelessness please visit , www . CatholicCharitiesSCC . org .
Saint John Vianney School ’ s Annual Golf Tournament a Success
On Sept . 29 , Saint John Vianney School ( SJV ) held its annual golf tournament to benefit tuition assistance , which is currently assisting approximately 80 families . SJV is grateful to all our alumni , parents , grandparents , as well as new and old friends who came out to enjoy a glorious sunny day of golf and great camaraderie . SJV parent volunteers served beverages , and entertained the golfers with fun games and activities throughout the golf course . Our dinner guests were greeted with a health and wellness “ trunk show ” to inform our golfers and dinner guests about the many ways they can achieve a healthy
( l-r ) Tony Petis , Syd Raineri , Alan Raineri and Joe Ponte .
lifestyle . SJV is grateful to all who came out for such a significant cause and we invite all to our next annual golf tournament , set for Friday , Sept . 28 , 2018 .