Dignity or solidarity…? Catholicism or Anarchy? These are the questions that my colleague Ed Koch and I have been considering with our group the past few days. We went to Malachi House yesterday which is a home for the dying, but not a hospice. All they are is a home for those who have less …
Tag Archive: alternative spring break
Mar
17
Of Mice and Men
Last night we spent an evening at the Catholic Worker’s drop in center, providing an evening meal and more importantly a “living room” type of place for the poor of the area to come and play cards and socialize. It was loud, raucous and a fine time. Britney, a John Carroll student, Val, one of …
Mar
16
Called to “The Other”
An afternoon of playing basketball and kickball with a bunch of kids really wiped my energy. I haven’t played hoops in ages and it showed. Even my kickball skills have slowed. Regardless, it was awesome day. As mentioned earlier, we started at St Herman’s cleaning out these apartments owned by the community. The eccentric who …
Mar
15
God Calls Us By Name
So yesterday began our first full day of our Alternative Break Trip to Cleveland, the second poorest major city in the United States (Detroit is first, Miami 3rd and our own Buffalo is #4. We’re living at St Patrick’s Church in the city’s Near West Side (also known as Ohio City). It’s a mix of …
Mar
18
Our Alternative Spring Break Video
Thanks to Thousand Foot Krutch for the inspirational song and to all those who made our Spring Break memorable especially Fr. John Duffell at the Church of the Ascension who housed us free of charge.
Mar
11
Eye Opening
We had a great day looking at the topic of homelessness and housing and spending a second day at Mercy Center. Our morning consisted of heading to Valley Lodge which sounds like a place you go to ski, but is actually a home for those over 50 who find themselves homeless. Laura Jergenson who is …
Mar
11
Prayer Intention for Thursday’s Alternative Spring Break
Lord, our week is nearing completion. We need to leave the poor and head home. How will we be changed when we get home? How has this experience changed me? What did I think before I came and what do I think now? Who has changed me? Was it a child of the Bronx? The …
Mar
10
Glenn Beck Thinks Jesus and John Paul II Hates Poor People
Since I’m on an alternative spring break…I’d like to take this moment to offer up a little “teaching moment” as we Campus Ministry types like to say. Fox News’ Glenn Beck had this to say about social justice and the poor this week and for the record, Mr. Beck, you sir, are a complete moron. …
Mar
09
UB@ASB-Day 3
We went to Mercy Center in the Bronx which serves the largest lowest income bracket in the United States. They do an English as a Second Language class for mothers and while mom is learning, staff and volunteers take care of the children. Like our videos at Covenant House, I will name our students but …
Mar
09
Students at Covenant House
Covenant House is a home for homeless youth and youth in crisis situations and let me tell you, if you didn’t know it already, they are doing God’s work. Nearly 40% of all homeless individuals are under the age of 18–a horrifying figure. Three students and I helped out in the nursery at Covenant House …
About the Blogger
Mike Hayes is an author, commentator, Campus Minister and Spiritual Director. He founded the award winning BustedHalo.com in 2001 and wrote the book Googling God with Paulist Press in 2007. Mike is currently a Campus Minister at The University at Buffalo where he serves on the staff of St Joseph University Church. He is available for speaking engagements, retreats and personal spiritual direction.
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