St. Anthony Shrine an oasis of hope in downtown Boston

The pandemic has pulled people out of pews, but the homeless haven’t gone anywhere.

“There are fewer people to help and the need is greater,” said Fr. Thomas Conway, executive director of St. Anthony Shrine, who added attendance has dropped by “a third” at the downtown hub of worship.

But the friars at the Shrine on Arch Street in the shadow of all the skyscrapers don’t back away from a challenge. Too many are counting on them to pick them up.

“Our big emphasis is people falling through the safety net, people who can’t be helped,” said Father Tom, as he’s known to everyone. “We’re one place in the city who is light on their feet. We fulfill a unique role in helping poor people.”

The Shrine has a food pantry, women’s health clinic, daily and Sunday Mass, counseling and a list of impressive programs. Br. Paul O’Keeffe runs the counseling center for couples, families or anyone struggling with relationship or mental health issues.

But there’s more: the Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents, the Father Mychal Judge Recovery Center, Haitian Ministry, Franciscan Spiritual Companionship, the Seniors Program and the Lazarus Ministry — a special service that provides funerals and burial for the homeless and abandoned, “the poorest of the poor.”

Father Tom said the pandemic that pushed everyone outside helped the Shrine’s food pantry, in an unexpected way.

“People walking down the street could see the line wrapping about the block,” he said. It was a sign that the hunger was real and the need even greater.

Keeping up with the demand is not easy to pull off. The friars say big and small donations are welcome to help St. Anthony Shrine continue to serve. Go to stanthonyshrine.org for more. The shrine’s annual fundraising dinner is Monday night, and the goal is to raise $2 million with $500,000 more to go.

The Shrine’s mission has never been more vital as the city struggles with homelessness and drug addiction on Mass and Cass. As the Herald reported this weekend, the city is ready to alert people about tent removals along the Mile.

The trial court is also set to begin its “community response” sessions there on Monday and prosecutors mull using more “stay-away” orders for people charged with crimes.

Where the homeless migrate to next, however, is in doubt.

“Sometimes we find people on the street,” Father Tom added. It may require that in the weeks to come.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3jTxpMK