#SpringBreakOutreach2018
Our brothers in the Frankford area of Philadelphia are trying to bring the living spirit of our confrere Padre Pio into their work for the people here. In the week of March 12th, the friars of Padre Pio Friary and Prayer Center were blessed with a group of university students from Connecticut. The students made the decision (like many others throughout the country #Spring Break Outreach 2018) to spend their Spring break with our friars and postulants, serving in the Frankford community and deepening their relationships with each other and the Lord. Brs. 
Andrew McCarty, OFM Cap., and Ross Henley, OFM Cap., spent some time filling the students in about the area and its needs, and how the Gospel challenge to address those needs is a compassionate focus of their service. Kip Ledger, OFM Cap., Guardian and Director of our Candidacy (Postulancy) Program there, also got a chance to take the visitors on a visit to the city featuring a look at our urban impact through the Capuchin ministry at St. John the Evangelist Church downtown.
At the end of the week, one of the participants, Ray Charles, sent along some pictures on Facebook and wrote this note of thanks to Andew and Ross: Dear Brother Andrew and Ross: It was a pleasure to spend our spring break with you all with the Philadelphia community. As promised, I am uploading photos that happened throughout the week. May God bless you all with your endeavors to make your community great!
Street Outreach on Track . . .
In the following week, on Thursday, March 22, Andew and Postulant Joe Morton partnered with Deacon Phil Geliebter and parishioners of St Mark’s in Frankford for another evening of "street outreach." Parishioners Tammy Hartenstine, Cristina Mancini and Phil, along with Andrew and postulant Joe Morton began with a prayer and then went down to Kensington under "the tracks." As Phil wrote: "We stopped at Kensington and Lehigh and at what has been nicknamed Emerald City at Lehigh and Emerald. We distributed blankets and blessing bags, all of which have been donated by many faithful supporters of St Mark’s and its ministries. Some sandwiches (thanks, Cristina!) were also given out. We talked and prayed and listened to a number of our brothers and sisters."
Phil goes on in the Facebook entry: "The sights and stories break our hearts. A young woman hiding out from her pimp was offered a phone to call her mother. She declined to use it saying that her mother is the one who sent her to the pimp. People were injecting while we talked to others. One man stopped smoking crack to talk with us. Amongst all of that there were signs of the ordinary. A young man swept the sidewalk, cleaning what was his front yard in front of his tent. People were genuinely thankful for small gifts and simple kindness. We were reminded of the humanity in each of these people, their uniqueness, and that they each are children of God. If Jesus were to visit Philadelphia, I am certain He would be here. I am thankful for my fellow Franciscans presence here in Frankford. Pax et bonum."
God bless your work, guys, and thanks for all your do
to bring light and life in the name of our brotherhood!