(The Friends of the Master House is a Catholic faith community for Washtenaw County residents who have recently been released from jail.)
Being welcomed guests at Morning Prayer the week before Christmas was a blessing in disguise for us. "Friends of the Master House" starts each day with prayers and reflection. Residence and managers of the houses were there. We enjoyed readings from the 'Daily act of Surrender' pulled from principles and thoughts expressed in, the Catechism, Scripture and Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as, prayerful writings from Narcotics Anonymous, versus from the Bible and Imitation of Christ.
Here we were strangers welcomed and moved to speak. My Mother had been assaulted on Dec. 19th, 3 days before our visit to "Friends of the Master House". Tom and I were praying with folks who understood and maybe in their own pasts had resorted to assault for previous addictions, praying together. I was able to express my anger at how in the world could a 6 ft. man, weighing over 250 pounds go after my 70 plus year old Mother and her purse? She is on Social Security and had only $10 in the purse! These men at "Friends of the Master House" helped me affirm that forgiveness is necessary for growth.
My Mother is healing. This prayer experience was an opportunity for "Restorative Justice". My husband and I could feel the Holy Spirit working thru the prayer time with the residents of "The House". We thank you, gentlemen.
Affordable Housing such as "This House" offers folks that opportunity. We need more housing like this in Washtenaw County. We need more FAITH COMMUNITIES gathering to offer this sort of setting.
Thank you St. Francis of Assisi and spearheaded by Fr. Jim for making this sort of shelter grow from the Jail Ministry.
Written by: Mary and Tom Wakefield, St. Francis of Assisi Members, Since the early 1980's.
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