WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

Greetings from Fr. Bob ...

What would Jesus do? I often hear that quote. In fact, I have even seen lapel buttons that ask that question. Some would say that phrase is overused and abused. But when I hear it, I think of an incident [true story] that occurred about 15 years ago. A company had kindly donated hundreds of blankets to St. Christopher’s Inn, frankly, more than we could use.

At that time, there were many homeless on the streets of New York City. It was mid-winter and one of the friars decided to take the extra blankets and a few of the men from St. Christopher’s Inn down to New York City to distribute the blankets to the poor and homeless. It was a freezing night and there was ice on the streets.

The van made its way to a section of the city where there were many homeless people. Brother Tom supervised the men he had brought from St. Christopher’s Inn as they went up and down the street distributing the blankets. After the blankets were all given out, there were many fond farewells from the homeless that had gathered around the vehicle. The men got back into the van to return to St. Christopher’s Inn.

It was during the trip home that Brother Tom noticed that the man sitting next to him had no shoes. It had started to snow again and Brother Tom panicked at the thought of this shoeless man. The young man said – “I gave a man a blanket, but he had no shoes and I thought: what would Jesus do? So I gave him my shoes.” Up until this time, this particular individual had been hardened, angry and uncooperative with the program at the Inn. But as he told Brother Tom about giving away his shoes, Brother Tom noticed for the first time a smile – a truly special smile from deep within.

Isn’t it wonderful how a simple caring gesture can bring such joy not only to those who receive, but also to those who get the opportunity to give. It goes without saying that in the last 110 years the Friars have been blessed time and again with just such an experience.

My hope for you is that the next time you get presented an opportunity to ask “What would Jesus do?” you will simply let the Christ within you smile.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Bob Warren

GRAYMOOR TODAY SUMMER ISSUE ONLINE

Graymoor Today is a quarterly publication produced by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. Our Summer 2009 issue is now available online in Adobe PDF format. Meet the new General Counsel and learn more about the Friars’ many activities and missions.

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SPONSOR APRECIATION DAY AT GRAYMOOR, SEPTEMBER 9

The Friars will be hosting their annual Sponsor Appreciation Day at Graymoor Wednesday, September 9. There will be a Mass at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon and an update on the Friars’ ministries. If you would like to attend, contact Maryann mgarcia@AtonementFriars.org, (800) 338-2620, ext. 3326.

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St. Francis Chapel, Graymoor

Franciscan Friars of the Atonement

Headquartered at Graymoor in Garrison, NY, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement is a Roman Catholic religious community with social, pastoral and ecumenical ministries in the United States, Canada, England, Italy, and Japan.

Centro Pro Unione
Christian Unity and
Ecumenical Research

The Centro Pro Unione, founded and directed by the Society of the Atonement, is an ecumenical research and action center. Its purpose is to give space for dialogue, to be a place for study, research and information in ecumenism: theological, pastoral, social and spiritual.

Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute

The Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute promotes Christian unity and interreligious dialogue in North America through their monthly (except August) Journal, Ecumenical Trends, Lecture Series, and Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources.

St. Christopher's Inn
Residential Shelter & Substance Abuse Treatment Center

St. Christopher's Inn is a temporary shelter dedicated to the rehabilitation of men in crisis. Today the Inn shelters over 1,200 men per year, most of whom suffer from alcohol and/or drug addiction.

Our mission is to offer a continuum of quality health care services that facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual healing by providing chemical dependency treatment, primary health care, and temporary housing.

Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

In the Franciscan tradition of hospitality, Graymoor Spiritual Life Center welcomes individuals and groups of all faiths for spiritual retreats, meetings, conferences and pilgrimages.

Located on a mountaintop overlooking the Hudson River Valley, facilities include overnight accommodations, large dining room, a library, three chapels, as well as meeting/seminar facilities.

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement find both challenge and purpose in active service. We direct thriving social, ecumenical and pastoral ministries spanning three continents.

Our name — “At-One-Ment” — reflects the passion to reconcile Christians and their churches; to unite men and women with God and one another, making them
“at-one.”

If you are a man 19 to 40 years of age, who feels God’s
calling to live a life of faithfulness to the church, our
Vocations Director, Bro. John O’Hara, SA can be reached at 1-800-338-2620, ext. 2126.