The Franciscan Connection 2903 Cherokee Street, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 773-8485 FranciscanConnection@TheFriars.org

Re-building the Church, Stone-by-stone

VISIT OUR NEW HOME PAGE AT: www.FranciscanConnection.org Once there lived a simple man by the name of Francis of Assisi. He spent his days feeding the hungry and cleansing the wounds of lepers. One day, while praying in the tiny chapel of San Damiano, he heard a voice call to him, "Francis, go, rebuild my church, which as you can see is falling into ruin." And so Francis did. Stone by stone, he began repairing he walls of this forgotten chapel. His labors and outpouring love for the poor attracted a band of followers. And together, - stone by stone - they began rebuilding the walls of the whole Church, bringing to life God's love and care to the world. Some eight hundred years later, Francican Friars continue to heed this call to serve the poor and marginalized. In a very real way, the Franciscan Connection is seeking to bring to life that hands-on ministry among the poor. The Stone-by-Stone Project is a year-round endeavor to provide minor home repairs for low-income families in the St. Louis region.

A Time To Celebrate In November of 1989, Brother Bill Schulte met with provincial Minister, Fr. Robert Karris, and presented to him a proposal for work among the poor and needy of the Southside of St. Louis. The Provincial then commissioned Brother Bill to approach all St. Louis entities that needed to be approached to receive support and permission for this endeavor. Fr. Robert then asked two friars to minister in this endeavor. Fr. Gratian Nosal and Fr. Tom Shaughnessy opened the small storefront agency on July 1, 1991. It was a way for the friars to respond to the growing needs of their own neighborhood here in South St. Louis city. Brothers Leo and Greg Over the years, numerous friars from the Sacred Heart Province have dedicated their time to keep the center running. Franciscan Brothers Leo Guerts, Gregory Bumm and Donald Lachowicz continue this tradition by aiding each family that walks through our doors. Bro. Greg and Br. Leo run the main office, which provides emergency utility assistance to those in the 63118 and parts of the 63111 zip codes, while Bro. Donald runs the basement office which acts as home base for a minor home repair program called the Stone-by-Stone Project.

The Franciscan Connection By and large, the usual person who walks through our door is a young single mother or grandmother raising two or three children. In recent years, a larger number have found employment, though most times, it's minimum wage, part-time or day labor. With income around the poverty level, the least little extra expense puts them in real danger of not being able to provide for basic needs of food or utilities. The majority of our families only come in for utility assistance a couple of times until they can get back on track. The help we provide is through pledges (the term used when we promise to help with their utility bill), through referrals to other sources of help, and sometimes it is through simply providing them with peace and reconciliation that a listening ear and kind words can offer. Over the past eleven years, we have helped over 4,000 families with direct utility assistance, and thousands more with referrals and a listening ear. Most of our pledges typically fall between $35 and $50 per visit, and over eleven years that quickly adds up to over a quarter of a million dollars since the birth of the center. The Franciscans hope to continue this very important ministry - helping others - for another eleven years, for another 4,000 South St. Louis residents and for another quarter of a million dollars. Your contributions have made a great difference. With your help we will continue to help those who are in need. Thank you so much for all that you have already contributed!