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My Brother's Keeper

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April 2009 Newsletter January 2009 Newsletter

Updated: News and Press, Newsletter, and Stories from the Past

Answering the Call

Jim Orcutt (cofounder and President, left) discusses service with students from Stonehill College.

Volunteers and donors respond to the increasing demands in our communities.

As our difficult economy continues to challenge families with even their basic needs, individuals of all different ages and backgrounds are stepping up to help provide relief to these families.

During 2008, My Brother's Keeper was able to deliver the Love and Hope of Christ to more families than ever due to the help of thousands of volunteers and benefactors. It is no coincidence that our ministry also experienced an incredible wave of growth, especially with our number of student volunteers.

The efforts of these volunteers, paired with the generosity of our many donors, has enabled us to increase deliveries in every program, including a near doubling of furniture deliveries that we made the previous year.

Although we have made great progress, we still have a long way to go with more than 100 families on a waiting list to receive furniture. As we move forward in 2009 we look to continue our growth so that we may serve even more families in Christ's name this year.

“The Power of the Crucifix. . .
A Complete Transformation”

By Ryan Thorley, My Brother's Keeper Staff

Mary, 72 years old, recently called My Brother’s Keeper for help. She has endured a life of suffering, far beyond imagination. She was orphaned as a child and married off by her foster parents at age 15. By 30, she was
widowed with three young children.

Later in life, Mary survived a 16-year abusive relationship that was so severe she was hospitalized 3 times. This brutal domestic violence left her with severe depression, mental illness, and many physical and emotional scars. She’s 100% disabled and unable to work.

Yet through all of this, Mary has kept her faith.

I was joined on this furniture delivery by Dennis Murphy from Canton and Kara and Tim Shipkin, sophomores at Oliver Ames High School in Easton.

When we met Mary in her single room apartment, she was wearing a rosary around her neck but her spirits were very low. We introduced ourselves and went over the list of furniture we had for her, but she simply nodded and said nothing.

Piece by piece we filled Mary’s small apartment with all the essentials she lacked: a bed to sleep on, kitchen table and chairs, sofa, and a dresser along with smaller items like dishes, pots and pans, sheets, blankets, and a TV.

Mary’s spirits seemed to lift slightly with each item that entered her apartment. When she laid eyes on the beautiful sofa, she broke down into tears. Between her sobs she said, “I had no idea that there were still nice people in the world.”

Click here to continue reading Mary's story in our April Newsletter

My Brother’s Keeper Prayer

Lord . . .

When I have food, Help me to remember the hungry.

When I lie in my bed, Help me to remember those who sleep on the floor.

When I have a warm home, Help me to remember the homeless.

When I have work, Help me to remember those without jobs.

When I experience the joy of giving to my children, Help me to remember the agony of those who must watch their children go without.

By remembering, Help me to destroy my indifference and arouse my compassion.

Make me concerned enough to act in your name, to help those who cry out to you for that which I so often take for granted.

Amen

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