The Stations of the Cross, in the form adopted by Pope John Paul II, will be prayed in English this Friday, February 22, and every Friday of Lent, immediately following the 5:30pm Mass. Join us afterwards for a Simple Lenten Meal in the North Conference Room—this Friday, to benefit Joseph's House, All are welcome for all or any part of this evening of prayer, fellowship and almsgiving.
Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis)
The Via Crucis is a journey made in the Holy Spirit, that divine fire that burned in the heart of Jesus (cf Lk 1: 49-50) and brought him to Calvary. The Stations of the Cross, in the form adopted by Pope John Paul II, will be prayed in English on Fridays at 6pm and in Spanish on Sundays at 2:15pm throughout Lent and on Good Friday, March 29. Please join us for this beautiful devotion, which is particularly fitting for Lent.
Simple Lenten Meals
We serve Simple Lenten Meal (en español) in the North Conference Room on the Friday evenings of Lent following the 6pm Stations of the Cross. Join us for the sustenance of food and fellowship! Each Friday we collect donations to benefit a different community-based organization in Washington, DC. On Friday, February 22, the beneficiary will be Joseph's House and the speaker will be Patty Wudel, Executive Director. Consider spending your early Friday evening with St. Matthew's family and friends - come for the 5:30pm Mass, 6pm Stations of the Cross and end with a shared meal and this great opportunity of almsgiving to our community.
Joseph's House
Joseph’s House - “A welcoming home. A place to rest. Compassionate care for the dying.”
"Joseph's House is a hospice home for homeless men and women dying of AIDS and cancer, offering a welcoming community and comprehensive nursing services. Our medical staff and trained caregivers work to create a home where the values of unreserved love and unconditional forgiveness are practiced. The house includes nine beds and welcomes about 35 people each year.”
David Hilfiker M.D. founded Joseph's House in 1990 on the concept of intentional "community" as "the source of profound human healing through the building of relationships … [w]e seek to practice compassionate care so the act of service itself becomes a source of healing, both for the served and server.” “Our hope is not to present God to anybody, but to SEE God in everybody."
"Men and women come to Joseph's House directly from a hospital, hospice program, clinic or shelter and are seriously ill with AIDS, cancer, or another terminal illness. Typically the new resident is also dealing with the considerable effects of poverty, mental illness, and living in an unstable and often unsafe environment." The resident is "welcomed into a safe and nurturing home" that provides 24-hour comprehensive nursing care, medical case management, personal care services, addiction recovery support, and grief counseling. Spiritual nourishment and attention to end-of-life care are emphasized, and for those who regain their health, links to transitional support services are provided.
"Hospice provides support and care for persons in the last phases of an incurable disease so they may live as fully and comfortably as possible” and by seeing the dying process as part of the normal living process, "focuses on enhancing the quality of remaining life." Joseph’s House is an "intentional community affiliated with a Christian church" but also includes daily Zen Buddhist practices to ensure that residents “get the most loving care possible" and to prevent staff burnout.
http://www.josephshouse.org/home.html
Joseph's House, 1730 Lanier Place NW Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone (House): 202.265.7174, (Office): 202.328.9161. Fax: 202.588.7097. Email: info@josephshouse.org
Joseph's House is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible within the full extent of the law.