Lack of sleep is one of the most critical health issues for the homeless.
An average of 225 homeless people seek safety and rest on the pews in the sanctuary of St. Boniface church in San Francisco every day, thanks to The Gubbio Project.
The Gubbio Project was co-founded in 2004 by community activists Shelly Roder and Father Louis Vitale as a non-denominational project of St. Boniface Neighborhood Center located in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood in response to the increasing numbers of homeless men and women in need of refuge from the streets.
“No questions are asked when our guests walk into the churches; in an effort to remove all barriers to entry, there are no sign-in sheets or intake forms. No one is ever turned away; all are welcomed, respected and treated with dignity,” the project’s website states.
While the church uses the front 1/3 of the sanctuary for church-goers to celebrate daily mass at 12:15 p.m., the Gubbio Project uses the back 2/3 of the sanctuary.
“This sends a powerful message to our unhoused neighbors – they are in essence part of the community, not to be kicked out when those with homes come in to worship,” the non profit organization says. “It also sends a message to those attending mass – the community includes the tired, the poor, those with mental health issues and those who are wet, cold and dirty.”
In addition to a place to rest, the church offers warm blankets, socks, hygiene kits, and massage services.
Full story at sunnyskyz.com.
God bless them.
No, this is a health hazard. When you go to Mass, you should not have to sit in what is in essence, someone’s bed! This church probably has good intentions but is putting it’s parishioners at risk. The church is first and foremost a place of worship. It should not be used as a flophouse.
This is a charity high on my list for annual contributions. This is money well spent. There’s another one (LavaMae) that also visits the Gubbio Project and provides mobile showers for the guests. https://lavamae.org/
Thank you for the link.
“Hygiene Kits”
Is that like a toothbrush and comb or are they providing hot showers and clothes cleaning?
Mingling the two populations, those attending Mass and those sleeping it off during Mass sounds like it may be a bit more complicated than just assigning pews
Unpleasant as it is to mention, there are a number of communicable / contagious conditions & infestations that are widespread amongst the homeless (an Inclusive term) population, and protecting All from infection by some must have a place in any rational approach
I would like to know more about how they deal with the issue?
Mike those who allow this do not care about those attending mass. This is virtue signalling on a massive scale by liberals…..
“Virtue signaling” … That’s an interesting turn of a phrase. All along I thought it was called “Corporal Works of Mercy.”
I wondered about that too. In a religious sense, it is used to mean doing things that show you are religious or virtuous. It is sometimes used to explain things that to a non-religious person make no sense-like snake handling and circumcision.
It seems that some now use it in a negative way, to question or smear the motives of someone doing something good.
Virtue signaling is a derisive term for the sanctimonious practice of announcing to others that you have politically correct thoughts.
Well, Catholics with health issues, should avoid churches like this—- the potentials for disease, are quite scary! Wonder what the Archbisop thinks, as he has recommendations during flu season, for all his churches! I would think the homeless should be properly placed in a suitable environment, for their needs– not sleeping in church pews!
This is one of the reasons the Catholic Church, in spite of all of its failings, still attracts new members. Unlike the mega churches spreading the prosperity gospel, the Catholic Church walks its talk- and this is a fine example of it doing so!
They look safe and warm. They are treated as the human beings they are. Each one has a story – a story we may find interesting, like or dislike – and they have dignity in this sacred space.
They could use some blankets.
I think San Francisco needs to realistically face and deal with its problems of homelessness, and especially, homeless mentally-ill and drug-addicted, who need serious medical help and supervision– not a life worse than wild animals, on the streets! America can do much better than this! We are not a Third World country!
You are right.
At least they called it non-denominational. This is the way you destroy the Catholic Church. We need the Holy Mass, not Communist posturing.
Are you saying only Catholic homeless people ought to be allowed in. Would they have to show a baptismal certificate to prove it?
No we are saying the are Holy places reserved for God and Him alone… oh yes this Parish may care for the homeless and their bodies, I highly doubt they do the same for their souls.
In a town much smaller than SF, one of the Churches let the homeless in the congregation use the Church’s address when applying for jobs. 50% of them got work.
When St. Francis of Assissi began his ministry, he assisted St. Clare, in helping the poor, suffering lepers. They lived outside of Assissi, because their disease was highly contagious. Their disease was a horror to the young saint, and I read that he even had nightmares about it! He felt badly for these poor, suffering, greatly disfigured people! By the grace of God, the young St. Francis felt compelled to kiss the wounds of the lepers, to show them Christ’s love. Perhaps it reminded him, of kissing Christ’s wounds. He must have been in a very holy, mystical state, at that time!
I welcome the churches opening their doors to assist the homeless, provided that there is adult leadership and security provided 24/7 and rules to adhere to. The homeless need various levels of assistance. A dry warm nights sleep, shower, food, and clean clothes with some praying and elbow grease on their parts in return will go along way! If the pews are the only option for sleeping, out of respect perhaps pews should be filled up from the last to the first and adult men and women separated across the center aisle.