Whatsoever You Do

It was November, the temperature was dropping, and those experiencing homelessness began desperately searching for a place to stay warm. The staff and volunteers at the Lincoln Center were stressed to the max. The city had made no plans for wintry weather emergencies but instead instructed us to discontinue overnight stays for those we were not housing due to safety regulations. People were freezing and getting frostbitten—one even lost his toes, and another set herself on fire trying to keep warm under a blanket. This is not what God intended for his people.

The Homeless Helping Homeless Lincoln Center brought up the situation to the Faith and Housing group, which we are a member of, to seek out some sort of solution that would keep the people warm and prevent us from being closed by the city. The idea was presented that local churches could host some of the folks for whom we did not have room.

Saint Benedict’s Monastery also participates in this group. Right away, Elizabeth Reum, the monastery’s director of Social Justice Ministries, arranged to pick up some sleeping mats from Camp Friendship that were being donated to us. Using the community bus and arranging volunteers, enough mats were secured so that people could sleep on the floor in these church basements and community centers. Since then, every two weeks, volunteers with the Benedictine sisters transfer these mats from one church to another so that our guests can stay warm. The Benedictine community then arranged for donations to pay for staffing and supervision at these churches and for food to be delivered twice a week to feed 65 hungry people at the Lincoln Center.

There were folks in our overflow population who were reluctant to go to churches because that meant they would have to leave everything they owned behind and worried that it might get stolen. So, it was suggested that we should acquire some lockers so people could store their belongings in a safe place. Again, the Benedictines jumped at the opportunity to seek out someplace where we could get lockers for free. These were found in Alexandria, Minn., and Elizabeth arranged for volunteers and transportation to pick them up. Our residents eagerly assisted and set them up in our center. What a blessing!

The weather has now begun to warm, and the number of folks visiting the center should have decreased. However, one warm day, I stopped by to visit only to find that the center was crowded—what was going on? Apparently during the winter, the people experiencing homelessness realized that on every Thursday, there was a full, well-balanced, hearty meal available at the Lincoln Center provided by the Benedictine sisters. Homeless folks rarely get a healthy meal—they mostly survive on cereal, doughnuts and junk food. When they do get meals, there is often not enough to feed everyone. The Thursday noon meal became the highlight of their week, and they keep coming whether it’s cold or warm to receive the gift of the Benedictines’ love.

To top everything off, the Benedictine sisters shared their ministry with their neighboring brothers and sisters at Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell, Minn., who also offered to bring a meal every week. Then they surprised us with a Monday meal, and now the Johnnies are bringing meals, and members of Saint Mary’s Church in St. Cloud—even the local VFW now brings us chili every two weeks. Father Tony brings soup every week, as does a member of the local Assembly of God church. Like the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, the Benedictines have inspired the whole community to provide manna to God’s children.

But the most important gift the Benedictine community has given us has been their prayer support. How frustrating it must be to have a heart full of compassion and, because of age or disability, be unable to physically address the needs of those in our community who are so severely traumatized and hurting. But we want every Benedictine sister to know that her contributions of prayer have resulted in enumerable miracles at the center. We are always on a tight budget, trusting in the Lord’s generosity to care for us as he cares for the flowers and the birds. Through their intercessory prayers, we were able to pay our staff with a last-minute donation.

The Lord likes to test our trust in his benevolence. Earlier this year, we were faced with a shut-off notice for our heat and light only to have the Holy Spirit inspire someone who knew nothing of our crisis to contribute funds. We believe this was only possible because of the many prayers joined with ours. When we get discouraged, we can always move forward with confidence because these prayers give us hope.

We meet and pray with traumatized folks every day, and we see many of them find solace in their faith. Folks who have not gone to church for years are now returning. Homeless Catholics are praying with us, going to Mass with us, engaging in prayer groups and Bible studies, and seeking reconciliation. People who had no faith are asking to be baptized. These are the folks that Jesus came and died for. To the Benedictine community: Your love, your prayers and your delicious meals are making all of this possible.

The next few years will be exceedingly difficult for those who are hungry, destitute, immigrants, elderly, mentally ill, chemically challenged and those that serve them. Even though the number of practicing Catholics and religious vocations are down, we know that the Lord will empower this remnant, this repository of faith and wisdom, to burst forth full of love and determination to minister and build community among the impoverished and hurting surrounding us.

Henry Fleegel, executive director of the Homeless Helping Homeless Lincoln Center in St. Cloud, Minn.

This article was featured on pages 10–11 in the spring 2025 issue of Benedictine Sisters and Friends.