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Diocese of Lake Charles
“How many boxes of food does your family need?” Brother Daniel Morrissey, CFR, asked as a vehicle drove up to Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana. “Do you need any diapers?”
These questions continued for an hour and 40 minutes as nearly 100 vehicles made their way to 1225 Second Street to pick up free food and milk recently — a frequent scene at the nonprofit agency.
Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, is assisted
by Brother Daniel Morrissey, CFR, during a recent
food distribution event outside the nonprofit
agency in Lake Charles.
(Photo credit: Morris LeBleu / Diocese of Lake Charles)
Brother Daniel is one of several friars with the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in the Bronx, N.Y., assisting with relief efforts throughout the Diocese of Lake Charles. That same day about 34 miles northeast, Father Giles Barrie, CFR; and Brother Moses Weakly, CFR, were lending a hand at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Kinder, one of eight additional food sites.
An essential part of living the life of a friar is their apostolic work of serving the poor. They relate to what it is like being dependent on the generosity of others. From food to clothing to paying bills, the friars beg for everything. Even the beads on the handmade rosaries hanging from the Cincture around their waists are donated.
“Part of our poverty is to be in solidarity with the poor,” said Brother Daniel. “I really enjoy being able to give of myself in this way. I fell in love with living poorly and serving the poor after going on a missionary trip to Calcutta, India, and working with the Missionaries of Charity.”
as he drives off after picking up free food at Catholic Charities
of Southwest Louisiana recently. Brother Daniel is a member
of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal assisting
with relief efforts in the Diocese of Lake Charles.
(Photo credit: Morris LeBleu / Diocese of Lake Charles)
The Community of Franciscan Friars was begun in 1987 by eight Capuchin friars. As consecrated religious, the friars embrace poverty, chastity, and obedience. And they do it with joy.
“I’ll pray for you,” Brother Daniel said while handing a St. Joseph prayer card to a recipient. “God bless you,” he remarked, smiling and waving as the car drove away.
Brother Moses said there is a real grace with wearing the habit (gray colored robe). “People may not know what our robes mean, but they know that we have to do with God. Something inside them responds to that,” he said. “People generally let down their walls. They feel safe and can speak their needs, their sufferings, and struggles without any judgment.”
One of the most fulfilling parts of being a friar, for Father Giles, is making great friends amongst the poor and the volunteers. “I enjoy seeing the Lord in all aspects of not only my life, but also my brothers, through the poor, and how powerful the Lord works,” he said. His approach to poverty is never, “what’s the most I am allowed, but always with the mindset of “what’s the least I need?”
during a recent food distribution event at Catholic Charities
of Southwest Louisiana.
(Photo credit: Morris LeBleu / Diocese of Lake Charles)
As executive director, Sister Miriam MacLean, RSM, welcomes the extra help at Catholic Charities as the community continues to see an increased demand for assistance since last year’s hurricanes and this year’s winter storm. Many had already been struggling because of COVID’s negative impact on employment.
“We rely on outside groups a lot especially as we work to stabilize our volunteer program to sustain the increased needs with additional food sites,” said Sister Miriam. “The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., sent their pre-postulants to assist for a couple of weeks, and two Americorps teams have been a tremendous help as well as many high school students volunteering during their spring breaks.”
The Franciscan Friars will be a visible presence at Catholic Charities for a few more weeks before returning to Our Lady of the Angels Friary in the Bronx where they will be able to tell their brothers all about their first time eating boiled crawfish in Louisiana.
"When I was a boy, I saw a crawfish boil on a ‘Scooby Doo’ movie,” recalled Brother Moses. “Ever since that time, I wanted to go to a crawfish boil, so this was the fulfillment of my childhood desire bucket list,” he said with a boisterous laugh. Other foods they have tried for the first time and really enjoyed are cracklins, boudin, fried alligator, chicken and sausage gumbo, and Blue Bell ice cream.
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You can view the food distribution schedule for the remainder of April at www.catholiccharitiesswla.com. If you need help with water or rental assistance, or would like to help with volunteer efforts, please call 337-439-7436.
To learn more about the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, visit www.franciscanfriars.com.
