St. Anthony of Padua like many early Franciscan friars knew what it was like not to have a permanent home. The Franciscans were often itinerant, moving from place to place to preach the Gospel and to care for those in need.
Following in St Anthony and St Francis’ footsteps, the Friars of Holy Cross Retreat Center (the Center) in Mesilla Park, New Mexico have provided a welcoming place for those seeking spiritual enrichment since 1957. Especially in the past twenty years the mission of the Center has included hospitality for those in need of a temporary shelter.
Those who are from out of town but come to Las Cruces for medical therapy are invited to stay at the Center when the cost of a hotel room and restaurants is far more than they could afford. Some stay during the week with a caregiver and then return to their homes on the weekend. Others from farther away have stayed for weeks or even months until they finish the treatment. “It is gratifying to see them able to finally return to their homes” notes Fr Tom Smith, Director at the Center.
Caring when it matters most
Teri is one of the many beneficiaries who received housing assistance. She is a medical patient undergoing radiation treatment and chemotherapy. “I didn’t know where I was going to stay when I came from the Ruidoso area to Las Cruces, N.M. for treatment.
“Actually it looked like I might be camping out, until I was welcomed by the Friars. I was very malnourished when I arrived because of the cancer, but the Friars at the Retreat Center have graciously allowed me to use the kitchen to prepare special meals for myself and am now much better. I have always prayed for other people, and now God is taking care of me with good medical care and a wonderful place to stay.”
Benito, from Deming, N. M. stayed at the Center for two weeks, choosing to turn away from alcohol and renew his life. Fr. Tom Smith remarks, “I had met him previously at his home parish where he was active as a sacristan and in other church activities.” For Benito all too often alcohol caused real struggles in his home and his life, and so he entered treatment. At the Center Benito received a welcoming and supportive place where he could stay during the intensive therapy following the main detoxing treatment.
Fr Tom continues, “It was especially helpful for him to stay at the Center because he is a deeply religious man, and since we are a Catholic center he was able to attend Mass and to pray in either of the two chapels on campus. During his stay, Benito also volunteered his time to perform simple tasks that helped the staff while enjoying a renewed sense of gratitude. When he left, he felt renewed and ready for a new chapter in his life.”
The aftermath of a devastating pandemic created a health crisis and a financial one too. And with so many dealing with the loss of jobs, many more were forced out of their homes and have been looking for a transitional place to stay until they can find a stable home.
To alleviate the problem of homelessness, at the Center they have been working with a local nonprofit agency called “Family Services of New Mexico” to assist those who most in need of a place temporarily while actively seeking other options.
Debby is a social worker there and dedicated to offering not just professional assistance, but also individual personal care. She has been a minister in her past and now sees this job as putting the Gospel into action in the daily lives of those in need. Debby’s work evaluates the needs and the stability of certain individuals and will on occasion refer someone to the Center, especially if someone is capable of caring for themselves, but needs a few weeks to find a permanent residence. She also works with them on jobs, medical services, and developing a sense of responsibility for themselves.
More than Temporary Shelter
Patty stayed at the Center for a month. She was homeless before but working with Family Services to find stability in her life. Debby asked if she could stay until she had enough money for a deposit and for rent. Patty was also searching for God and for peace in her life. She found security at he Center and did very well. Fr Tom notes, “we talked and prayed together. She asked to borrow a Bible, so I gave her a Good News Bible to keep. She thanked me three times, and again through Debby.” Since her visit, Patty has spoken to others of the lasting and positive impact her stay at the Center had on her stability and faith.
Poverty Deepens for Women and Girls
Judy (on the right) arrived at the Center as a referral from Debby, the social worker who assists with the selection process of who will receive temporary shelter assistance. Judy is Native American, originally from South Dakota. She came to live in Las Cruces and through a series of events, then lost her place to live and her job. During the past seven weeks, she has been able to find another job and is saving money to be able to move out shortly.
Julietta (on the left) arrived in September, largely to avoid contact with her former spouse, and to have a place to live until she received a significant settlement from back child support. She and Judy have become friends and attend Mass together as well as provide moral encouragement for each other.
“It is not easy to be dependent on someone else, but being homeless or living on the street would not be good at all”, Julietta comments with sadness in her voice. However, she now looks forward to paying for a place where she can live without fear, and is finally feeling emotionally and spiritually renewed.
There are many more stories of women and some men who needed a short time to set up a home for their family. At the Center they found peace of mind and we were able to receive spiritual guidance, food, and the hope of a better life.
In this time of instability during the Covid-19 pandemic, when all hope is lost, offering people in need free room and board, healing of the soul and the strengthening of their faith is truly life-saving. Fr Tom explains, “like the early friars who chose to be itinerants and it gave them freedom to share the Good News, at the Center we welcome people in need and help them discover that they are not forgotten, that the Lord cares for each person”.
Thanks to the support of St Anthony’s followers and devotees, two grants in the amount of $6,000 (in 2020) and $12,000 (in 2021) were awarded to the Sacred Heart Retreat Center (Mesilla Park, New Mexico) to subsidize the costs of helping poor individuals, especially women seeking assistance during their medical treatment and to those who are in recovery.
