Cup for those who do not do
what they say

I went to a meeting tonight, something I try to avoid. As usual with these meetings it was good, two good presentations and good questions and discussions. My problem is that the people at the meeting were in all agreement on changes but almost all the people that need to change were not present. And no matter what was said the staff, who were present but did not speak and who are there to serve the members will make the decision. I pray that all the talk tonight was not in vain and there will be a change but am afraid, like other meetings it will be all talk and no action. The problem tonight is the concern tonight was how to more effectively serve the people in need in our city with home visits of St. Vincent De Paul. We need a new structure for home visits so we can do what we should be doing.

As the neighborhoods on the North central side of Milwaukee became more segregated and poorer Catholic churches were closed. In the 60’s we had 17 Catholic Churches in this area and now there are only three. My own Catholic church, which had been a merger of three Churches, was closed and the property is being sold. The Church was started in 1897 and once was the largest Catholic Church, with nine masses on Sunday, in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. All the meetings and discussion on how to save the church did not matter. The decision was made from the top and the church was closed.

In the St. Vincent De Paul Society and in the Catholic Church as well as in our government we talk and talk about the people being the Society, Church, or government. We say “we are the Church” or “the people of God, or “government for the people, by the people and with the people.

It all makes for good talk but when all people do is give money or vote it is meaningless. A true investment in a group, Church or government only comes when we give of ourselves and make a human investment in the work.

Young people are eager to serve the poor which is a good instinct to be nourished. So what do we do but send them on ‘mission’ trips to Latin America or to another city in the USA for a week or two or have them do some fundraising. But what about the poor and oppressed right here in our own city?
After the meeting I was talking with one of the two members of St. Vincent De Paul from a wealthy church. I had made a home visit very near his Church recently and asked him if would have made the home visit if the central staff had called on his conference. Although his conference only has four elderly persons he said yes. However, when I mentioned this to a central staff person who was at the meeting she said No, his conference was not accepting home visits.

The elderly man and I were talking about how young people wanted to serve and often went to foreign countries to do so. We both believe the energy of these young adults should be first directed to the needs of the poor in our own city. He told me the story of how is Grandma would also tell her grandchildren that “Charity begins at Home.” I said my mom said the same things and so did Mahatma Gandhi in India. Charity or showing love and respect is not about words but about deeds. Young people instinctively understand this and usually practice what adults do not what they say. Adults mostly forget this norm and expect young person’s to do what they say not what they do. I pray for the St. Vincent De Paul Society, the Catholic Church and the government that they do what they say so young people can do what they do.

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