St. Francis Inn Mercy Mission

In the Fall and Summer of each year, Immaculate Conception Church Missionaries (volunteers) venture to the Kensington area of Philadelphia to serve at the Saint Francis Inn for the weekend.  We are housed at the Inn for the weekend to serve the poorest of the poor at their “Table of Four” Soup Kitchen.  We typically take a group of 10 parishioners for each weekend. 

The Inn has been serving meals to the neediest individuals and families in Philadelphia since 1979. We opened our doors in December of 1979 and have served a meal every day since then. A breakfast of hot or cold cereal or pastries is served three days a week, while we serve a sit-down meal in our dining room every day. We now serve over 350 meals a day with dignity and respect. Our meal is unique because we serve our meals restaurant-style; our guests don’t walk through a line to get their food, our compassionate volunteers serve them at their tables. We rely on the generosity of local grocery stores and businesses as well as churches and individuals to donate food so we can serve our daily meals. Volunteers come daily to help cook, serve and clean. With the help and support of volunteers and benefactors we are able to serve our guests every day with a warm, nourishing meal in a caring and respectful setting.

In addition to the dine-in meals, we also provide food baskets for families and homebound seniors monthly. A mixture of fresh and non-perishable foods supply regular sustenance to those unable to come to our meals. Mail services, phone usage, and many intangible resources also support our guests.

Our first weekend  several years ago, eight brave parishioners and a servant leader who followed the advice of her daughters, ventured into the city of brotherly love. What they found, stumbled on, was the brotherly sisterly love of Christ given and received in abundance. It was our task to serve the poorest of the poor at the Saint Francis Inn Ministries for a weekend.  As we entered into our service deeply ...it became less of a task and more of a joy!

We took up residence for the weekend in one of the most poverty  stricken areas of Philadelphia where the homeless slept outside our doorstep. Above our apartment door, painted clearly, read "All saints".  What we quickly became aware of was that the sign above the door was not referring to those of us sleeping in a warm house and  somewhat comfortable beds, rather it was referring to those living like our crucified Christ on the pavement below us. We went to sleep in gratitude for the countless gifts we are showered with, which  we often take for granted:  a bed to sleep in, a roof over our heads, food on our tables and in our stomachs, warm showers, clean clothing and the list goes on and on.  We prayed together for our ministering and for those we would serve.   Retiring to the sound of the El Train literally outside our window, car alarms and sirens, most of us were able to drift  off to sleep. I awoke suddenly on Saturday morning to a voice yelling " I'm here! I'm here!".  I was not the only one awoken to this call.  We knew this was one of the homeless guests waiting for their meal to be served. However, as our ministry began, it became obvious to each of us that it was really Christ calling to us over and over again… "I'm here! I'm here!". Here in the poor, the outcast and suffering… the one you welcome, hand food to and comfort… I am here.  I am proud, privileged and deeply moved that this group responded in the most loving way not only by providing food, some six hundreds meals ... in addition by providing the most nourishing need.... the love of Christ alive. Saint James in the scripture is often recognized for the words "faith without works is dead". For certain… faith was vibrantly alive, radiantly alive in good works, generous deeds and the abundant love given selflessly by this amazing group. This faith is made alive by the Christ we find in distressing disguise ...in those we served.  One man who thanked us for his meal, his blessing proclaiming.... "Every day I wake up is a good day, and I thank God".  And so I ask, does this man have nothing or everything?  The answer so clear to us humbled by his tremendous faith. Everything that matters! Everything that matters!

This slideshow is from our first Mission Trip to Saint Francis Inn and many have followed.

Mission Slideshow

The Saint Francis Inn Ministries it a taste of heaven on earth! If you would like to get involved in this Mission work, please contact 908-725-1112