Food for Thought

Feb 05, 2016

During the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has urged Catholics not just to learn more about the works of mercy but also to take action.

When it comes to sheltering the homeless, Creighton University's online ministry has created a page with suggestions of possible ways to carry out this mandate.

"We think of shelter as a basic requirement of life, but many people simply don't have a roof over their heads or a safe place to live," says Creighton's online ministry page titled "Harbor the Harborless/Shelter the Homeless."

"For many of us, the line between our homes and being homeless is a thin one that can disappear with the death of a spouse, the loss of a job or an illness."

Something as small as making eye contact or saying "hello" to someone can help a person who doesn't feel welcome by society.

Other suggestions include making donations to help others set up a home, as well as getting involved with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, which helps build homes for those who could not otherwise afford them.

Creighton also urges the public to learn about shelters in one's community, to learn about housing, advocate for the homeless and to work for fair housing for all.