by Kathryn White
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — One grill, 50 hot dogs, 80 sandwiches, several gallons of lemonade and many packs of clothing, toiletries and hygiene kits surround the area.
Music is playing on a loud-speaker in the summer heat. A woman lifts her hands and sings in praise. A man dozes in a chair in the midst of the noise.
It may sound like the friars of the Fraternity the Poor of Jesus Christ are on a camping trip.
Really, it’s business as usual.
Their business: mobile shower ministry.
Each Saturday from May to October, the friars and a group of volunteers fill the tank of the fraternity’s generator-powered shower trailer with 300 gallons of water, pack their supplies and meet the homeless on the streets.
They fire up the grill and, soon enough, people come.
An estimated 4,000 people are living on the streets in the Kansas City metro area. Reasons range from lack of affordable housing and struggles with mental health to poverty and domestic violence.
The friars, however, don’t question the why. They just serve.
Their motto is “Iesus Totus, Totus Iesus,” which means “Jesus our all, all for Jesus.”
“We call those we serve predilect sons and daughters,” said Friar Augustine, PJC. “They are favored ones. Jesus favors the poor. By serving the poor, we serve Jesus.”
Showers of grace
In 2023, the community underwent a restructuring. The friars and the Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ began discerning how they would independently live out their mission to serve the poor.
The Sisters decided to focus on street ministry. The friars knew they would continue to feed the homeless year-round, but they made a decision to do more when a homeless man told them something unexpected.
He had a job interview but no where to take a shower.
This man was the answer to their prayers. They knew God was asking them to start a shower ministry.
A lay associate donated funds for the friars to purchase a shower trailer. Volunteers and donors joined their mission by donating services, supplies and time.
Now, three years later, they have fine-tuned their ministry. It includes manicure services for the women, a mobile barber shop for the men and a warm meal for both while they wait.
“[Cutting hair] is a skill I learned in Brazil,” said Friar Benedict, PJC. “It is my gift to serve.”
After the shower, each person receives a bag of toiletries and clean clothes.
“Everyone deserves the right to a warm shower, a warm meal and some fellowship — no matter who they are,” said Marcie Logsdon, a volunteer from St. John Paul II Parish in Olathe.
“We are all humans and made in the image of God,” she added.
Serving Christ in the poor
For Deacon Alex Castro, also a member of St. John Paul II and a long-time volunteer, serving those experiencing homelessness is an opportunity to help them know who Christ is.
“The men and women are at home with us,” said Deacon Castro. “I often talk about sacramental life . . . and I pray a blessing over each individual.”
Doloros Seja Magalon, a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, volunteers with the friars every Saturday.
“I feel fulfilled by helping the poor, to bring consolation and meals,” she said. “I enjoy being of service.”
And the consolation the poor feel is very real.
A man named Chris was overcome with gratitude at the haircut and shave Friar Benedict gave him.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “I just feel so good.
“I just can’t wait for that shower.”
How to get involved
The Friars of the Fraternity the Poor of Jesus Christ are always in need of donations, especially new or gently used men’s sneakers and men’s and women’s seasonal clothing.
Those interested in donating or volunteering with the community can contact Friar Augustine at: miguelpro@ocaminho.org.
