REFLECTION GROUPS

St Ben’s Community Meal hosts reflection groups as a way of orienting and educating them to service with the homeless and hungry population of Milwaukee. This opportunity is done in conjunction with the Meal and usually involves an orientation to St Ben’s Ministries, a chance to eat and talk with the Meal guests, and a prayerful reflection afterward. This experience typically takes about an hour and a half to two hours. Contact Br Dave at 414.271.0135 ext 15 or at brdaveschwab@juno.com to arrange these events.

URBAN IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

St Ben’s offers two options for an Urban Immersion experience.

• The first is a three hour experience aimed at upper elementary or secondary students. Activities for this experience include reflecting on the “real world” situations faced by Milwaukee’s homeless, talking with a person who has moved from homelessness to a stable life situation, discussing the various aspects of ministry here at St Ben’s, and considering hunger and its impact locally and globally. This experience usually includes lunch so a donation to cover this expense is appreciated.

St Francis Xavier group from Merrill, Wisconsin
Plunge group at Growing Power in Milwaukee

• The second is an overnight experience intended for high school or college age students. This immersion experience usually begins on Friday night with participation in the Community Meal, followed by a period of reflection and discussion. Saturday is spent visiting various agencies that minister with the homeless, including shelters, drop in centers, and community service programs. This weekend experience can be tailored to the needs of the group and could be a one or two night event. Students provide a sleeping bag; St Ben’s provides floor space for sleeping and will arrange for meals. A donation of $10 per person per night is suggested to help defray the cost of food, staff, and utilities.

Contact Br Dave at 414.271.0135 ext 15 or at brdaveschwab@juno.com to arrange these events.

Urban Plunge Teaches Social Justice by Irene Mehlos

"Do you think that Jesus meant it when he said 'Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Shelter the homeless. Visit the prisoner.' Did he actually mean for you and me to do that?" That question has been on my mind since we heard it on the weekend, said Jim Rell, one of this year's trip chaperones.

A group of St Francis Xavier of Merrill, Wisconsin confirmation candidates along with 3 chaperones traveled to Milwaukee for the annual "Urban Plunge." We visited some amazing places established by people who took Jesus' words to heart. Maria said 'Repairers of the Breach stuck out in my mind the most.' It is a day shelter for the homeless where they are able to get a shower and wash their clothes. They also can use it as an address to put down for job applications or to register to vote. We sat around with the homeless and listened to a really good lady who told stories. 'I was sitting by a guy who was laughing his head off,' said Nick. I learned a lot of things like how the homeless were kind and good people to be around.' Katy noted that 'people that live in poverty are really grateful for the help they receive..to try to chane their lives for the better, but it is tough to do in this society.'

Before the trip the students did a 'toiletry drive' asking for donations from the Merrill community for this mission trip. We received generous donations of toiletry items, t-shirts and socks, as well as cash donations from St Francis parishioners, local dentists and several area businesses. About 125 toiletry kits are given out at St Ben's Meal each week. The cash donations made it possible for us to help the other food and shelter sites, as well as St Ben's to keep up their work.

Brad summed up what the group learned: To me 'social justice' means that people who are better off in life should help the less fortunate whenever there's an opportunity. No matter how much or little you do, it all helps. We are all equal in God's eyes and should give everyone the same respect. If everything is treated with justice, they will never have anything to complain about, and there will be peace.