Temenos Catholic Worker
an
Advocacy Ministry to Male & Female
Sex workers and Homeless Youth
in the spirit of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin
 
 
The Rev. Fr. C. River Sims
San Francisco, CA 94109
!-800-760-5487
 
 
JOURNAL OF AN ALIEN STREET PRIEST
Fr. River Sims
 
 Lent, 1998
Through the years, I have often pondered Dorothy Day's phrase, "the long loneliness."  For some time I thought of it in romantic terms-the essential loneliness she seems to have experienced even in her most intimate relationships and then the many years after her conversion when she was without a partner.  In my discipleship journey of the last three years, however I have come to understand the reality of this 'long loneliness' in my own life and I have seen that it is not, in fact, a question of whether one has or does not have an intimate companion.  The "long loneliness" is, simply, the way of the cross.  It is the struggle to rebuild those things which are grounded in justice, peace, love and the integrity of creation.  It is the costly journey of resisting and redeeming our culture of violence, consumerism, and all those forces which negate human dignity.

Embracing the "long loneliness" for me has meant becoming aware of the possible consequences of following the way of the cross: violence against my person, illness, poverty, isolation, and dishonor.  I have confronted each of these things in one way or another in the last three years here on Polk Street.  To seek to be a presence of grace in this particular time, to attempt in small, broken way to be a reflection of the loving presence of the Risen One, is to walk on the margins and look deeply into the darkness-a lonely and oftentimes fearful journey.  To be able to endure, knowing that the cross always looms ahead, one must trust in the promise od God's eternal "Yes," a promise shouted forth in the resurrection.

In this journey that Dorothy so aptly described as a "long loneliness," I have found community in those who have supported and loved me in this work.  They, you, are to me a sign of God's "Yes."  I have found strength in the community of the saints as well-Dorothy, Peter, Oscar, Romero, all those who have traveled this journey before us-they too are signs of that divine "Yes."  This year, the return of Lent calls me to reflect more deeply upon this journey that is the "long loneliness,' to meditate once again on Jesus making his own journey to the cross, to pray with renewed earnestness That I too may be faithful to the end.  For I see Jesus going before me, beckoning me on.  I encourage each of you, during the season of preparation, to reflect upon your own experience of the "long loneliness" in your life, your own unique journey to the cross.
 

More Journal Entries
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We Are Beggars!
With the continuing rains, our needs have increased for socks, blankets, and financial support for the purchase of food.  Recently, one homeless boy, desperate for something to eat, broke Fr. River's front gate.  Repairs came to $200.00.  We are grateful for all those who, over the past month, enabled us to provide 250 meals, 2800 sandwiches, 3300 clean needles, 1000 condoms, 500 pairs of socks, 100 rain jackets and other assorted items of clothing, and bus and toilet tokens.

Without the help of people like YOU this ministry could not provide these much needed community services.  YOUR donations go directly toward providing life giving necessities,  that these people in need would otherwise do without.  Won't you please help us to be a light in the darkness?  Your tax deductible donation could be the one that pays the bus ticket to send some homeless teenager back home to his/her parents.  Help save someone's child from a life of drugs and prostitution or even worse death from illness or an overdose!

Mail your donations to: Temenos Catholic Worker
                                   The Rev. Fr. C. River Sims
                                   1475 Polk Street, #301
                                   San Francisco, CA 94109
Or call toll free for info: 1-800-760-5487
 

LINK TO:

 
 THE "COMMUNITY OF FAITHFUL FOOLS"
 
In the last few months two special people have come into Fr. River's life, the Rev. Kay Jorgenson, a Unitarian Universalist minister, and Sr. Carmen Barsody, a Franciscan nun.  Sharing a commitment to ministry among the "poorest of the poor" in the Tenderloin and Polk Gulch areas and dubbing themselves the "Community Of Faithful Fools," Fr. River, Sister Carmen, and The Rev. Jorgenson are presently exploring options for wider joint ministry.  Please keep them in your prayers.

 
 CLICK HERE FOR:
THE WORD FROM THE STREETS
 
 
    CLICK HERE FOR:
PICTURES FROM THE STREETS
 
 
FR. SIMS RECEIVES "YOUTH & SOCIAL JUSTICE" AWARD
The Center for Young Women's Development recently bestowed its Youth and Social Justice Award on Fr. River Sims.  The award recognizes Fr. Sims for being an ally to young people and for his vision as a leader and problem solver in the community.  The award was presented to Fr. Sims on February 5, 1998 in the offices of San Francisco Supervisor, Tom Ammiano.


This page maintained by: [email protected]
Last updated: March 23, 1998