Thank you, Hallmark: A Lenten meditation
by Jean Martin
As we head into the Easter season, the community is already gearing up for the Easter Eggs, Easter Bunny, Easter cards, new Easter clothes and flowers.
While we are still safely within the Lenten season, we recommend for your consideration a song written by our friend Br. Al Mascia, OFM. Br. Al and his fellow friars and volunteers run the Canticle Café for the homeless people who populate downtown Detroit.
By way of that Lenten meditation we give you Br. Al’s O, Thank You Hallmark.
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[audio:http://miserybay.usanethosting.com/wordpress/Thank_You_Hallmark.mp3]
The Canticle Café is many things, some as concrete and material as tables, chairs, computers, tasty treats, food and fresh-brewed coffee. It is a place where everyone is welcome, greeted with respect and dignity, offered friendship, assistance when in need and respite from the hardships of poverty, homelessness, loneliness and fear.
In some ways it is like a school where those who wish may learn specific skills like baking, candle-making, providing hospitality, creating poetry and navigating the world-wide-web.
But there is also a traveling or itinerant nature to the Canticle Café as Brother Al – by means of story-telling, song and a little wooden vendor’s cart – transports and imparts some of the essence of this place and ministry to wherever he is invited.
To learn more or to make a donation please visit Br. Al’s webpage.
