Sr. Meseret volunteering experience in Philadelphia, USA

Sr. Meseret Naba, MSC is one of the sisters belonging to the Holy Spirit Region. Currently she is in the United States for further studies.

From March 1, 2025 to March 8, 2025, I was able to spend my spring break with the other students at St. Francis INN, Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania USA. We were seven students, five ladies and two gentlemen, along with the two coordinators. One of the coordinators was a brother of the St. Francis Order and we were nine of us in total.

Sr. Meseret Naba (at the back on the right) her fellow students from St. Bonaventure University

There we had great time helping people experiencing homelessness. During the service we had a different activity, every morning after breakfast we had Holy Mass in the chapel of the Franciscan friars, right after Mass we were assigned to the different tasks. Some of us went to collect donations from different places, schools and grocery stores, others continued to clean the yards and prepare food for the people we were serving. Sometimes the people would eat two meals, so we worked from 9 AM until 6 PM, except on Friday and Sunday.  On Friday and Sunday, they have only one meal, so we worked until 1PM. On those two days we were able to visit some of the historical places like the Art Museum and the Liberty Bell.

Every night before we went to bed, we reflected on the day. It was so nice and important to get to know each other and share our feelings. Our sharing was based on our daily experiences, our interaction with the people we served, how we felt, and what we will do for others in the future. Two evenings of our reflection time, we had an opportunity of listening to two wonderful guest speakers sharing their experiences of working at St. Francis INN. One of these speakers was Father Michael, one of the Franciscan brothers. He has been there for thirty-eight years as a volunteer. We all were moved with his statement especially when he mentioned about being there as his last mission and how Heaven waits for him afterwards. Fr. Michael thanked us and mentioned that we the students of St. Bonaventure University were the first ones to approach the people experiencing homelessness and talk to them.

He shared that he has witnessed many people coming to volunteer at the INN, but he never saw anyone who had the same approach to the guests as we did.  He also told us that what the people need is not only food, but our love, our good attitude and our affection".

I was so happy to be there and to have the opportunity to receive these graces from God, especially during this time of Lent.