Living in a city like New Orleans as an Anglican Franciscan Friar and continuing to discern God’s calling for you never comes as a direct laid out plan. It is never really clear how you are supposed to fit in with your local faith community and the larger community around you that present challenges of people living in poverty and filth on the streets. There is one guideline that I have kept close to my heart and that is from scripture, Matthew 25 where Jesus calls us to feed those who are hungry. How we can help feed those who are hungry comes in many forms of ministry. There is actual hunger for food and then there hunger from a lack of spiritual, medical and mental nourishment that so many of our siblings are experiencing. I have learned over the last several years, since I became a member of St Anna’s Episcopal Faith Community Saint Anna's Episcopal Church of New Orleans, Louisiana (stannanola.org) and a Friar in the Anglican Franciscan Community of Francis and Clare Community of Francis and Clare (cfcfranciscans.org), to observe, listen and allow myself to make mistakes and rejoice and give thanks when our “Holy One” gifts me with an opportunity to unselfishly serve others in ministry.
I pray that sharing current gifts of ministry is not meant to receive accolades but I hope it might empower others to discern how they can serve individuals (our siblings) who are in need of experiencing the light of God through the love we freely receive from our Loving God.
A typical week of living the vowed life as a dispersed Franciscan Friar and as a member of St Anna’s Faith Community and being married includes many activities. As a Friar and a Member of the Community of Francis and Clare we promise to pray often throughout the day either privately or with others. We are committed to praying for others who have requested our prayers Prayer Requests — Community of Francis and Clare (cfcfranciscans.org) .The Eucharist is a central part of our lives as well and we are called to joyfully participate in this sacrament. As my day begins with prayer, I prepare myself to hit the streets by putting on my Franciscan tunic and Profession Cross and placing the Consecrated Bread (Holy Communion) in a small container called a Pyx in my pocket. Whether I am at University Medical Center New Orleans visiting and praying with and for the sick or at the local library in the early morning hours handing out socks, underwear and snacks to our siblings who are homeless, many times they will ask to receive Holy Communion. The same thing happens when I have the opportunity to visit the border to welcome Asylum Seekers with Team Brownsville Home | Team Brownsville .
One other ministry that St Anna’s Faith Community has been blessed with is a collaborative relationship with DePaul USA of New Orleans New Orleans - Depaul (depaulusa.org) who assists our homeless siblings to transition into permanent housing. St Anna’s Food Pantry offers a start-up offering of food for each individual when they are moved into their new home.
It is my prayer that those who read this might keep the eyes and ears of their hearts open for the calling to become a servant to others. You may be surprised to know that our “Holy One” is always listening and waiting for us with open arms to become more deeply involved in our lives.
Pace e Bene
(“Peace and all Good”. It is a blessing, a hope, and a way of acknowledging the sacredness of those who we encounter.)
Your brother,
Donald
