Feeding the Hungry, Part II

On Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, my wife Lily and I visited the Missionaries of Charity (commonly referred to as the Sisters of Mother Teresa) at Saint Augustine's Church in Newark, New Jersey.

The sisters run a soup kitchen at the parish.  Today, we assisted them along with other volunteers and Co-workers. 

Together, we served an Easter meal to 125 needy members of the community.

Mother Superior's Letter

During today's event, one of the Missionary Sisters of Charity gave me a letter from Sister Mary Joseph, Mother Superior of the Missionaries of Charity.  

Sister Mary Joseph asked for the letter to be distributed to all who assist in the work of the sisters.

In light of current events, one part of the letter, related to the sisters who work in Ukraine, was profoundly touching.  It deserves to be shared and reads as follows:

"Our sisters in Ukraine are there in the midst of war.  I had asked them, if any of them wish to leave the place under such circumstances, but each of them choose to remain.  I thank God dearly for their dedication at the risk of their lives.  Let us place them and all the suffering people of  Ukraine in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as Pope Francis has done."   Sister Mary Joseph 

Memorialized Articles

In the past, I authored numerous articles on the works of the Missionaries of Charity.  Their noble and necessary work takes place for the poor, not only throughout the world, but right here in America, including New York City, Washington D.C., and Newark, NJ.

This memorialized article is from Nov. 25, 2021:

Serving the Poor

On May 2, 2014, I authored an article titled America’s Forgotten Homeless: Awareness, Compassion, Dignity for my Reawakening the Nation column.

The article was also posted in The Sentinel, and shared electronically with my audience of educators, students, military personnel, law enforcement officials, and community leaders.

In the article, I highlighted an unimaginable sight in New York City, one of the planet’s richest cities.

Because of its importance, and relevance years later, I believe this excerpt that captures my emotions of the sight, deserves a spotlight:

“As one walks the New York City streets, the homeless must touch our conscience and inspire action.

"Although throughout the city and often can be easily circumvented, there are moments when kindness toward the homeless stops us in our tracks.

“One such experience for me was seeing the compassion of the Missionaries of Charity, commonly known as the Sisters of Mother Teresa, tending to the homeless near Central Park’s entrance at Columbus Circle.

 “Although one normally associates these sisters caring for the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, here they were in the heart of New York, one of civilizations most affluent societies, home to the richest people on the planet.

“The Missionaries of Charity, serving the homeless of New York City-the world’s epicenter of wealth, culture, education, tourism and diversity. Here were the sisters, serving a wake-up call to America’s conscience – reminding us of the suffering on New York City streets.

“America must respond to this anguish of our human family and triumph with full force, courage, compassion and dignity.”

Thanksgiving Day 2021

The experience of that day was seared into my conscience.

Now, eight years later, it is reawakened as I visited Saint Augustine’s Parish in Newark on Thanksgiving Day.  The parish is the home to the Missionary Sisters of Charity.

The purpose of my visit today was to assist the sisters with their commitment to the Corporal Works of Mercy, specifically to feed the hungry.

Some may consider the efforts of my wife and I, who hold the work of the Sisters with the highest admiration, as noble.

But our efforts pale in significance to the inspiring work the Sisters do every day for the poor, not only in Newark, but throughout the world. They are carrying out the work of their foundress, Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  In my heart, there is no doubt that Saint Mother Teresa, a model of holiness and love for the poor is smiling down upon them.

The Youth of America

Complementing the work of the sisters today, were a group of young people who represent the best of America.

These youth from Ramsey High School, Immaculate Heart Academy, and New Jersey City University, along with their parents truly represent character.  Each of them gave of their time generously to help the poor, hungry, and homeless of Newark today.

An additional selection from the aforementioned article, as it remains relevant to the events of this memorable day in Newark, also deserves a spotlight:

“America is as great as its commitment to respecting the dignity of each person especially the poor. All human beings must be celebrated and we must always see beyond superficial externals of social status, humbly understanding we are all the human family.

“Whenever a human being is ostracized, distressed or impoverished, a nation must respond with moral courage, compassion, and resolve. When the poor are a burden, inconvenience, or annoyance-or treated with discriminatory indignation for their hardship-the nation is derailed and must be reawakened.”

Hopefully these reflections, and more importantly the admirable work of the Missionary Sisters of Charity, and the outstanding students and parents who assisted today, may serve as a wakeup call.  

The message of each of them is clear - living a life of charity, character, and community is a sacred privilege and the heart of reawakening America.

"God has identified himself with the hungry, the sick, the naked, the homeless; hunger not only for bread, but for love, for care, to be somebody to someone; nakedness, not for clothing only, but nakedness of that compassion that very few people give to the unknown; homelessness, not only just for a shelter made from stone but for that homelessness that comes from having no one to call your own."  Mother Teresa

Related:

America's Forgotten Homeless: Awareness, Compassion, Dignity

Missionaries of Charity (The Sisters of Saint Mother Teresa) Official Website

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America with over 300 published works and four books.  Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, and former confidant of the New York Yankees.  

He is co-founder of Global Security Resolutions, and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy families of victims. 

Vincent's most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen To Their Cries.

For more information: twitter@vincentjbove

© Reawakening America, PO Box 262, Convent Station, NJ  07961

The Sentinel, official electronic newsletter of Reawakening America, LLC – All Rights Reserved.

POST SCRIPT: Chinese Reflections by Lily Bove

My wife beautifully captured the heart of the day and posted it to share with friends and family in China:

Chinese Language:

2021-11-25，周四。感恩节

在这个美国文化中最重要的象征家庭团聚、亲人相聚的节日，先生选择了做主的工作一一去当地教会的慈善食堂服务，与那些无家可归者共度节日。

    这个位于美国新泽西州Newark 的天主教堂附设的慈善食堂，是由“特蕾莎”修女会组织的，专为当地穷人和流浪汉提供免费午餐的地方。一年四季，每日中午提供，没有身份查询，来者不拒。食品来源大部分来源于一些商家的常年赞助。每日的套餐基本不变，有热狗，面包，沙拉，粗粮，水果，甜点，汤类等。食物种类多，供应也丰富。通常工作人员也会把剩余的食品分配给大家，基本上保障了被救助者们有两餐的食物。

   我和先生曾是那里的志愿者。后来因为搬家，就选择了就近服务。虽然没有再去做工，但也会推荐一些捐助者去邦助她们。当时隔六年后，先生再去那里时，修女们仍然记得我，问起我的情况，并为我祈祷。此情此景，令我十分感动。感谢感恩主的灵在我们彼此的心中，行动中，灵魂里。

  图一是人间天使，穷苦病弱人们的救护神“特蕾莎”：图二、三是今年的志愿者和修女们；图四、五是需要食物救助的人们；图六、七是六年前先生和我去做工的留念。

    求主保佑、看顾天下的穷苦人们，尤其是那些呼唤他的名求邦助，愿意悔改更新、信靠他的人们。阿门。

English Translation:

2021-11-25, Thursday. Thanksgiving.

In this most important symbol of family reunion in American culture, my husband chose to work for God - to serve in the charity Soup Kitchen of a local church, and to spend the holiday with the homeless.

The charity was at the Catholic Church in Newark, New Jersey - organized by Mother Teresa's Order to provide free lunch for the local poor and homeless. Available at noon every day, all year round, no identity checks, all are welcome. 

Most of the food comes from the perennial sponsorship of businesses. The daily package is basically the same, there are hot dogs, bread, salad, coarse grains, fruits, desserts, soup and so on. The variety of food is great and the supply is abundant. Usually the staff will also distribute surplus food to everyone, basically ensuring that the needy have two meals of food.

My husband and I were volunteers there in the past. Later because of the epidemic, we have not been able to assist them, but now they needed assistance. 

When the visit today, years later, the nuns remembered both of us, and promised prayers for both of us. I am very moved. 

Thank you for the Spirit of God in the hearts, actions, and souls.

The first picture is Saint Mother Teresa, an angel for the poor and sick. The second and third pictures are the volunteers and nuns this year. Pics four and five are people in need of food aid; Pictures six and seven are mementos of my husband and I working there before the pandemic.

May God bless and look upon the poor under heaven, especially those who call upon His name for help, who are willing to live and trust in Him. Amen.          Lily Bove

NOTE WELL:

After our collaborative effort feeding the poor at the Saint Augustine Soup Kitchen, two of the sisters with two volunteers and I, filled a van with about 50 hot turkey dinners.

We traveled throughout the city, including the Newark Penn Station area and other locations where the homeless gather, offering meals with our Happy Thanksgiving sentiments.

The meals were gone within an hour, and the response from the people was profoundly humbling - gratitude, humility, and courtesy.

“I have come to realize that it is being unwanted - that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.”

 Mother Teresa

PS: The Missionary Sisters of Charity, commonly referred to as the Sisters of Saint Mother Theresa, asked me to play Santa Claus for their 2021 Christmas Party.

It was the joy of a lifetime, entering an assembly with over 100 children and their parents, at Saint Augustine's in Newark, and distributing Christmas gifts. I will never forget the expressions of awe and appreciation in their faces. 

Photos:

1. Lily Bove pauses for prayer before serving community members visiting the Soup Kitchen of the Missionaries of Charity on Easter Sunday, Apr. 9, 2023.

2. Lily Bove assisting the Missionary Sisters of Charity at their Shop Kitchen, Saint Augustine's Parish, Newark, NJ, Feb. 12, 2017. (Vincent J. Bove)

3. Missionaries of Charity, Columbus Circle area near entrance to Central Park, New York, NY, Sept. 4, 2011. (Vincent J. Bove)

4. Photo collage from events of Thanksgiving Day, 2021 at Saint Augustine's Soup Kitchen. (Vincent J., Bove)

5. Student volunteers from Ramsey High School, Immaculate Heart Academy, and Jersey City University volunteering to help the poor on Thanksgiving, 2021 with Missionary Sister of Charity. (Vincent J. Bove)

6. Mother Teresa serves food to the poor in Calcutta, India, in October 1979. (Photo by Calogero Cascio/Getty Images)

7. Reawakening America Collage, and pics of Vincent J. Bove keynote, PHAMA event, Champion, PA, Oct. 20, 2017. (Lily Bove)

8. Vincent Bove, Sister Lazerena, Lily Bove (left to right) Saint Augustine's Soup Kitchen, Newark, NJ, Feb. 12, 2017 (Courtesy Reawakening America LLC)

9. Missionary of Charity Sisters with Thanksgiving Day volunteers at their Soup Kitchen, Saint Augustine's Newark, NJ, Nov. 25, 2021.  (Courtesy Reawakening America LLC)

"I was hungry and you gave me food"

On Christmas Day 2021, I returned to assist the Missionary Sisters of Charity, commonly known as the Sisters of Mother Teresa at their Saint Augustine Parish Soup Kitchen in Newark, New Jersey.

The day began with Holy Mass and my honor of serving as Lector with the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: 

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.  You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing…” Isaiah 9: 1-2.

After Mass, the Christmas meal began. The meal honors the timeless call to serve those in need, as proclaimed in the Gospel, "I was hungry and you gave me food."

As the line formed outside the Church despite the rain, the guests humbly wished the sisters, each other, and the workers a Merry Christmas.

Today, beside meals of hot chicken, mashed potatoes, mushrooms, biscuits, and grapes - guests received Christmas gift bags filled with winter clothing accessories and candies.

Before meals were shared, the guests were led in prayer. The sisters, inspired by Saint Mother Teresa, believe that not only the body but the soul needs nourishment.

The guests also took time to sing in honor the birth of the Savior as one of the sisters held a statue of the baby Jesus.

It was my privilege to be with the sisters, workers, and guests again today. It was a follow up to my Thanksgiving Day at Saint Augustine’s memorialized below.  

Before the day, I took time to reflect on the words of Pope Francis during his Christmas Midnight Mass homily, which highlights humility, so profoundly reflected in the work of the sisters:

“Brothers and sisters, standing before the crib, we contemplate what is central, beyond all the pretty lights and decorations. We contemplate the child. In his littleness, God is completely present. Let us acknowledge this: “Baby Jesus, you are God, the God who becomes a child”. Let us be amazed by this scandalous truth. The One who embraces the universe needs to be held in another’s arms. The One who created the sun needs to be warmed. Tenderness incarnate needs to be coddled. Infinite love has a miniscule heart that beats softly. The eternal Word is an “infant”, a speechless child. The Bread of life needs to be nourished. The Creator of the world has no home. Today, all is turned upside down: God comes into the world in littleness. His grandeur appears in littleness.” 

Read the Homily

Serving the Poor: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 2021

On May 2, 2014, I authored an article titled America’s Forgotten Homeless: Awareness, Compassion, Dignity for my Reawakening the Nation column.

The article was also posted in The Sentinel, and shared electronically with my audience of educators, students, military personnel, law enforcement officials, and community leaders.

In the article, I highlighted an unimaginable sight in New York City, one of the planet’s richest cities.

Because of its importance, and relevance years later, I believe this excerpt that captures my emotions of the sight, deserves a spotlight:

“As one walks the New York City streets, the homeless must touch our conscience and inspire action.

"Although throughout the city and often can be easily circumvented, there are moments when kindness toward the homeless stops us in our tracks.

“One such experience for me was seeing the compassion of the Missionaries of Charity, commonly known as the Sisters of Mother Teresa, tending to the homeless near Central Park’s entrance at Columbus Circle.

 “Although one normally associates these sisters caring for the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, here they were in the heart of New York, one of civilizations most affluent societies, home to the richest people on the planet.

“The Missionaries of Charity, serving the homeless of New York City-the world’s epicenter of wealth, culture, education, tourism and diversity. Here were the sisters, serving a wake-up call to America’s conscience – reminding us of the suffering on New York City streets.

“America must respond to this anguish of our human family and triumph with full force, courage, compassion and dignity.”

Thanksgiving Day 2021

The experience of that day was seared into my conscience.

Now, eight years later, it is reawakened as I visited Saint Augustine’s Parish in Newark on Thanksgiving Day.  The parish is the home to the Missionary Sisters of Charity.

The purpose of my visit today was to assist the sisters with their commitment to the Corporal Works of Mercy, specifically to feed the hungry.

Some may consider the efforts of my wife and I, who hold the work of the Sisters with the highest admiration, as noble.

But our efforts pale in significance to the inspiring work the Sisters do every day for the poor, not only in Newark, but throughout the world.   They are carrying out the work of their foundress, Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  In my heart, there is no doubt that Saint Mother Teresa, a model of holiness and love for the poor is smiling down upon them.

The Youth of America

Complementing the work of the sisters today, were a group of young people who represent the best of America.

These youth from Ramsey High School, Immaculate Heart Academy, and New Jersey City University, along with their parents truly represent character.  Each of them gave of their time generously to help the poor, hungry, and homeless of Newark today.

An additional selection from the aforementioned article, as it remains relevant to the events of this memorable day in Newark, also deserves a spotlight:

“America is as great as its commitment to respecting the dignity of each person especially the poor. All human beings must be celebrated and we must always see beyond superficial externals of social status, humbly understanding we are all the human family.

“Whenever a human being is ostracized, distressed or impoverished, a nation must respond with moral courage, compassion, and resolve. When the poor are a burden, inconvenience, or annoyance-or treated with discriminatory indignation for their hardship-the nation is derailed and must be reawakened.”

Hopefully these reflections, and more importantly the admirable work of the Missionary Sisters of Charity, and the outstanding students and parents who assisted today, may serve as a wakeup call.  

The message of each of them is clear - living a life of charity, character, and community is a sacred privilege and the heart of reawakening America.

"God has identified himself with the hungry, the sick, the naked, the homeless; hunger not only for bread, but for love, for care, to be somebody to someone; nakedness, not for clothing only, but nakedness of that compassion that very few people give to the unknown; homelessness, not only just for a shelter made from stone but for that homelessness that comes from having no one to call your own."  Mother Teresa

Related:

America's Forgotten Homeless: Awareness, Compassion, Dignity

Missionaries of Charity (The Sisters of Saint Mother Teresa) Official Website

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America with over 300 published works and four books.  Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, and former confident of the New York Yankees.  

He is co-founder of Global Security Resolutions, and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy families of victims. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen To Their Cries.

For more information: twitter@vincentjbove

© Reawakening America, PO Box 262, Convent Station, NJ  07961

The Sentinel, official electronic newsletter of Reawakening America, LLC – All Rights Reserved.

POST SCRIPT: Chinese Reflections by Lily Bove

My wife beautifully captured the heart of the day and posted it to share with friends and family in China:

Chinese Language:

2021-11-25，周四。感恩节

在这个美国文化中最重要的象征家庭团聚、亲人相聚的节日，先生选择了做主的工作一一去当地教会的慈善食堂服务，与那些无家可归者共度节日。

    这个位于美国新泽西州Newark 的天主教堂附设的慈善食堂，是由“特蕾莎”修女会组织的，专为当地穷人和流浪汉提供免费午餐的地方。一年四季，每日中午提供，没有身份查询，来者不拒。食品来源大部分来源于一些商家的常年赞助。每日的套餐基本不变，有热狗，面包，沙拉，粗粮，水果，甜点，汤类等。食物种类多，供应也丰富。通常工作人员也会把剩余的食品分配给大家，基本上保障了被救助者们有两餐的食物。

   我和先生曾是那里的志愿者。后来因为搬家，就选择了就近服务。虽然没有再去做工，但也会推荐一些捐助者去邦助她们。当时隔六年后，先生再去那里时，修女们仍然记得我，问起我的情况，并为我祈祷。此情此景，令我十分感动。感谢感恩主的灵在我们彼此的心中，行动中，灵魂里。

  图一是人间天使，穷苦病弱人们的救护神“特蕾莎”：图二、三是今年的志愿者和修女们；图四、五是需要食物救助的人们；图六、七是六年前先生和我去做工的留念。

    求主保佑、看顾天下的穷苦人们，尤其是那些呼唤他的名求邦助，愿意悔改更新、信靠他的人们。阿门。

English Translation:

2021-11-25, Thursday. Thanksgiving.

In this most important symbol of family reunion in American culture, my husband chose to work for God - to serve in the charity Soup Kitchen of a local church, and to spend the holiday with the homeless.

The charity was at the Catholic Church in Newark, New Jersey - organized by Mother Teresa's Order to provide free lunch for the local poor and homeless. Available at noon every day, all year round, no identity checks, all are welcome. 

Most of the food comes from the perennial charity of businesses. The daily package is basically the same, there are hot dogs, bread, salad, coarse grains, fruits, desserts, soup and so on. The variety of food is great and the supply is abundant. Usually the staff will also distribute surplus food to everyone, basically ensuring that the needy have two meals of food.

My husband and I were volunteers there in the past. Later because of the epidemic, we have not been able to assist them, but now they needed assistance. 

When the visit today, years later, the nuns remembered both of us, and promised prayers for both of us. I am very moved. 

Thank you for the Spirit of God in the hearts, actions, and souls.

The first picture is Saint Mother Teresa, an angel for the poor and sick. The second and third pictures are the volunteers and nuns this year. Pics four and five are people in need of food aid; Pictures six and seven are mementos of my husband and I working there before the pandemic.

May God bless and look upon the poor under heaven, especially those who call upon His name for help, who are willing to live and trust in Him. Amen.          Lily Bove

Note Well:

After our collaborative effort feeding the poor at the Saint Augustine Soup Kitchen, two of the sisters with two volunteers and I, filled a van with about 50 hot turkey dinners.

We traveled throughout the city, including the Newark Penn Station area and other locations where the homeless gather, offering meals with our Happy Thanksgiving sentiments.

The meals were gone within an hour, and the response from the people was profoundly humbling - gratitude, humility, and courtesy.

“I have come to realize that it is being unwanted - that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.”

 Mother Teresa

PS: The Missionary Sisters of Charity, commonly referred to as the Sisters of Saint Mother Theresa, asked me to play Santa Claus for their 2021 Christmas Party.

It was the joy of a lifetime, entering an assembly with over 100 children and their parents, at Saint Augustine's in Newark, and distributing Christmas gifts. I will never forget the expressions of awe and appreciation in their faces. 

Photos:

1. Missionary Sister of Charity holding the infant Jesus, Saint Augustine's, Christmas Day, 2021. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. Lily Bove assisting the Missionary Sisters of Charity at their Soup Kitchen, Saint Augustine's Parish, Newark, NJ, Feb. 12, 2017. (Vincent J. Bove)

3. Missionaries of Charity, Columbus Circle area near entrance to Central Park, New York, NY, Sept. 4, 2011. (Vincent J. Bove)

4. Photo collage from events of Thanksgiving Day, 2021 at Saint Augustine's Soup Kitchen. (Vincent J., Bove)

5. Student volunteers from Ramsey High School, Immaculate Heart Academy, and Jersey City University volunteering to help the poor on Thanksgiving, 2021 with Missionary Sister of Charity. (Vincent J. Bove)

6. Mother Teresa serves food to the poor in Calcutta, India, in October 1979. (Photo by Calogero Cascio/Getty Images)

7. Reawakening America Collage, and pics of Vincent J. Bove keynote, PHAMA event, Champion, PA, Oct. 20, 2017. (Lily Bove)

8. Vincent Bove, Sister Lazerena, Lily Bove (left to right) Saint Augustine's Soup Kitchen, Newark, NJ, Feb. 12, 2017 (Courtesy Reawakening America LLC)

9. Missionary of Charity Sisters with Thanksgiving Day volunteers at their Soup Kitchen, Saint Augustine's Newark, NJ, Nov. 25, 2021.  (Courtesy Reawakening America LLC) 

Serving the Poor

On May 2, 2014, I authored an article titled America’s Forgotten Homeless: Awareness, Compassion, Dignity for my Reawakening the Nation column.

The article was also posted in The Sentinel, and shared electronically with my audience of educators, students, military personnel, law enforcement officials, and community leaders.

In the article, I highlighted an unimaginable sight in New York City, one of the planet’s richest cities.

Because of its importance, and relevance years later, I believe this excerpt that captures my emotions of the sight, deserves a spotlight:

“As one walks the New York City streets, the homeless must touch our conscience and inspire action.

"Although throughout the city and often can be easily circumvented, there are moments when kindness toward the homeless stops us in our tracks.

“One such experience for me was seeing the compassion of the Missionaries of Charity, commonly known as the Sisters of Mother Teresa, tending to the homeless near Central Park’s entrance at Columbus Circle.

 “Although one normally associates these sisters caring for the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, here they were in the heart of New York, one of civilizations most affluent societies, home to the richest people on the planet.

“The Missionaries of Charity, serving the homeless of New York City-the world’s epicenter of wealth, culture, education, tourism and diversity. Here were the sisters, serving a wake-up call to America’s conscience – reminding us of the suffering on New York City streets.

“America must respond to this anguish of our human family and triumph with full force, courage, compassion and dignity.”

Thanksgiving Day 2021

The experience of that day was seared into my conscience.

Now, eight years later, it is reawakened as I visited Saint Augustine’s Parish in Newark on Thanksgiving Day.  The parish is the home to the Missionary Sisters of Charity.

The purpose of my visit today was to assist the sisters with their commitment to the Corporal Works of Mercy, specifically to feed the hungry.

Some may consider the efforts of my wife and I, who hold the work of the Sisters with the highest admiration, as noble.

But our efforts pale in significance to the inspiring work the Sisters do every day for the poor, not only in Newark, but throughout the world.   They are carrying out the work of their foundress, Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  In my heart, there is no doubt that Saint Mother Teresa, a model of holiness and love for the poor is smiling down upon them.

The Youth of America

Complementing the work of the sisters today, were a group of young people who represent the best of America.

These youth from Ramsey High School, Immaculate Heart Academy, and New Jersey City University, along with their parents truly represent character.  Each of them gave of their time generously to help the poor, hungry, and homeless of Newark today.

An additional selection from the aforementioned article, as it remains relevant to the events of this memorable day in Newark, also deserves a spotlight:

“America is as great as its commitment to respecting the dignity of each person especially the poor. All human beings must be celebrated and we must always see beyond superficial externals of social status, humbly understanding we are all the human family.

“Whenever a human being is ostracized, distressed or impoverished, a nation must respond with moral courage, compassion, and resolve. When the poor are a burden, inconvenience, or annoyance-or treated with discriminatory indignation for their hardship-the nation is derailed and must be reawakened.”

Hopefully these reflections, and more importantly the admirable work of the Missionary Sisters of Charity, and the outstanding students and parents who assisted today, may serve as a wakeup call.  

The message of each of them is clear - living a life of charity, character, and community is a sacred privilege and the heart of reawakening America.

"God has identified himself with the hungry, the sick, the naked, the homeless; hunger not only for bread, but for love, for care, to be somebody to someone; nakedness, not for clothing only, but nakedness of that compassion that very few people give to the unknown; homelessness, not only just for a shelter made from stone but for that homelessness that comes from having no one to call your own."  Mother Teresa

Related:

America's Forgotten Homeless: Awareness, Compassion, Dignity

Missionaries of Charity (The Sisters of Saint Mother Teresa) Official Website

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America with over 300 published works and four books.  Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, and former confident of the New York Yankees.  

He is co-founder of Global Security Resolutions, and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy families of victims. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen To Their Cries.

For more information: twitter@vincentjbove

© Reawakening America, PO Box 262, Convent Station, NJ  07961

The Sentinel, official electronic newsletter of Reawakening America, LLC – All Rights Reserved.

POST SCRIPT: Chinese Reflections by Lily Bove

My wife beautifully captured the heart of the day and posted it to share with friends and family in China:

Chinese Language:

2021-11-25，周四。感恩节

在这个美国文化中最重要的象征家庭团聚、亲人相聚的节日，先生选择了做主的工作一一去当地教会的慈善食堂服务，与那些无家可归者共度节日。

    这个位于美国新泽西州Newark 的天主教堂附设的慈善食堂，是由“特蕾莎”修女会组织的，专为当地穷人和流浪汉提供免费午餐的地方。一年四季，每日中午提供，没有身份查询，来者不拒。食品来源大部分来源于一些商家的常年赞助。每日的套餐基本不变，有热狗，面包，沙拉，粗粮，水果，甜点，汤类等。食物种类多，供应也丰富。通常工作人员也会把剩余的食品分配给大家，基本上保障了被救助者们有两餐的食物。

   我和先生曾是那里的志愿者。后来因为搬家，就选择了就近服务。虽然没有再去做工，但也会推荐一些捐助者去邦助她们。当时隔六年后，先生再去那里时，修女们仍然记得我，问起我的情况，并为我祈祷。此情此景，令我十分感动。感谢感恩主的灵在我们彼此的心中，行动中，灵魂里。

  图一是人间天使，穷苦病弱人们的救护神“特蕾莎”：图二、三是今年的志愿者和修女们；图四、五是需要食物救助的人们；图六、七是六年前先生和我去做工的留念。

    求主保佑、看顾天下的穷苦人们，尤其是那些呼唤他的名求邦助，愿意悔改更新、信靠他的人们。阿门。

English Translation:

2021-11-25, Thursday. Thanksgiving.

In this most important symbol of family reunion in American culture, my husband chose to work for God - to serve in the charity Soup Kitchen of a local church, and to spend the holiday with the homeless.

The charity was at the Catholic Church in Newark, New Jersey - organized by Mother Teresa's Order to provide free lunch for the local poor and homeless. Available at noon every day, all year round, no identity checks, all are welcome. 

Most of the food comes from the perennial sponsorship of businesses. The daily package is basically the same, there are hot dogs, bread, salad, coarse grains, fruits, desserts, soup and so on. The variety of food is great and the supply is abundant. Usually the staff will also distribute surplus food to everyone, basically ensuring that the needy have two meals of food.

My husband and I were volunteers there in the past. Later because of the epidemic, we have not been able to assist them, but now they needed assistance. 

When the visit today, years later, the nuns remembered both of us, and promised prayers for both of us. I am very moved. 

Thank you for the Spirit of God in the hearts, actions, and souls.

The first picture is Saint Mother Teresa, an angel for the poor and sick. The second and third pictures are the volunteers and nuns this year. Pics four and five are people in need of food aid; Pictures six and seven are mementos of my husband and I working there before the pandemic.

May God bless and look upon the poor under heaven, especially those who call upon His name for help, who are willing to live and trust in Him. Amen.          Lily Bove

Note Well:

After our collaborative effort feeding the poor at the Saint Augustine Soup Kitchen, two of the sisters with two volunteers and I, filled a van with about 50 hot turkey dinners.

We traveled throughout the city, including the Newark Penn Station area and other locations where the homeless gather, offering meals with our Happy Thanksgiving sentiments.

The meals were gone within an hour, and the response from the people was profoundly humbling - gratitude, humility, and courtesy.

“I have come to realize that it is being unwanted - that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.”

 Mother Teresa

PS: The Missionary Sisters of Charity, commonly referred to as the Sisters of Saint Mother Theresa, asked me to play Santa Claus for their 2021 Christmas Party.

It was the joy of a lifetime, entering an assembly with over 100 children and their parents, at Saint Augustine's in Newark, and distributing Christmas gifts. I will never forget the expressions of awe and appreciation in their faces. 

Photos:

1. Lily Bove assisting the Missionary Sisters of Charity at their Shop Kitchen, Saint Augustine's Parish, Newark, NJ, Feb. 12, 2017. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. Missionaries of Charity, Columbus Circle area near entrance to Central Park, New York, NY, Sept. 4, 2011. (Vincent J. Bove)

3. Photo collage from events of Thanksgiving Day, 2021 at Saint Augustine's Soup Kitchen. (Vincent J., Bove)

4. Student volunteers from Ramsey High School, Immaculate Heart Academy, and Jersey City University volunteering to help the poor on Thanksgiving, 2021 with Missionary Sister of Charity. (Vincent J. Bove)

5. Mother Teresa serves food to the poor in Calcutta, India, in October 1979. (Photo by Calogero Cascio/Getty Images)

6. Reawakening America Collage, and pics of Vincent J. Bove keynote, PHAMA event, Champion, PA, Oct. 20, 2017. (Lily Bove)

7. Vincent Bove, Sister Lazerena, Lily Bove (left to right) Saint Augustine's Soup Kitchen, Newark, NJ, Feb. 12, 2017 (Courtesy Reawakening America LLC)

8. Missionary of Charity Sisters with Thanksgiving Day volunteers at their Soup Kitchen, Saint Augustine's Newark, NJ, Nov. 25, 2021.  (Courtesy Reawakening America LLC)

America’s Human Trafficking Scourge Demands Moral Leadership

Any activity that leads to a person’s exploitation, enslavement, or manipulation is a reprehensible violation of human dignity.

Whenever selfishness, criminal enterprises, or an ideology leads to the buying, selling, or bartering of a person, there must be outrage.

In simple terms, human trafficking is a scourge against human dignity that demands unequivocal denouncement, collaborative action, and moral leadership.

The Scope of the Crisis

According to the website Allies Against Slavery, more than 40 million men, women, and children throughout the world suffer the exploitation of human trafficking and modern slavery today.

Although this travesty is international, it is also a very real American crisis.

The scope of the crisis was detailed in a statewide human trafficking study through a partnership of Allies Against Slavery with the University of Texas.

This study, funded by the Texas Governor’s Office crystalized the prevalence of human trafficking and its economic magnitude throughout the state.

The findings, published in January, 2017, include these details highlighting the crisis:

• Approximately 79,000 minors and youth are victims of sex trafficking in Texas.
• Approximately 234,000 workers are victims of labor trafficking.
• There are currently an estimated 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas.
• Traffickers exploit approximately $600 million from victims of labor trafficking in Texas.
• Minor and youth sex trafficking costs the state of Texas approximately $6.6 Billion.

Yet, the human trafficking industry thrives not only in Texas but in all 50 states.

Modern Slavery Defined

According to Allies Against Slavery, “Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs when one person exerts control over another person in order to exploit them economically. In this scenario, the victim is controlled through manipulation, violence, or the threat of violence and cannot walk away.”

Human trafficking is further explained as having three main components.

“The Action; which means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons

“The Means; which includes threat of or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power or position of vulnerability

“The Purpose; which is always exploitation. Article 3 of the UN Protocol says exploitation "shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs."

Organizations Providing Solutions

Street Grace is one of the organizations dedicated to eradicating sex trafficking of minors. It combats the crisis by mobilizing communities through education, outreach, and advocacy.

The organization, located in Atlanta, Georgia, estimates that 100,000 – 300,000 American children are at risk of being victimized through sex trafficking each year.

This faith-based organization takes action against the crisis by mobilizing faith, business, and community leaders.

Combatting the crisis is multi-dimensional and demands multi-faceted solutions. Some of the initiatives Street Grace has designed to create protection and advocacy are as follows:

• Educational programs for middle and high school youth
• Volunteers on the ground to interact, train, and provide resources for victims
• Enhancing community awareness through educational initiatives
• Unifying the community to advocate for legislation

Another agency committed to combatting human trafficking is Covenant House, the largest privately funded agency in the Americas providing shelter, food, immediate crisis care, and an array of other services to homeless and runaway youth.

Covenant House says that in the United States, the most common form of human trafficking involves the commercial sex industry. It occurs in online escort services, residential brothels, brothels disguised as massage parlors or spas, and in street prostitution.

The agency states that homeless youth are often easy prey for human trafficking predators. They are low risk without family support systems as often no one cares about them. They are also easy to lure, vulnerable, and easy to manipulate since they are desperate for food, shelter, and acceptance.

Final Reflections

On March 20, 2018, the U.S. Senate approved a bill by a majority of 97-2 titled the Stop Enabling Sex Trafficker’s Act.

The bill allows victims of sex trafficking to seek justice against on-line activities that knowingly facilitate sexual trafficking.

It also allows a state attorney general to bring action in a U.S. district court to protect individuals from those “who knowingly participates in the sex trafficking of children or sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.”

This bill is one step in the right direction but much more must be done to eradicate this travesty against human dignity.

One key solution will be the resolve of America’s youth. They have the heart to inspire an ethical renaissance through character, courage, and community.

As demonstrated recently in the March for Our Lives, understood to be one of the largest youth protests since the Vietnam War, America’s youth are standing united.

Although the March for Our Lives was dedicated specifically to sensible gun reform, the unity of America’s youth made a profound statement to America, and to the world.

Our youth gave hope that not only violence prevention, but other issues critical to our way of life, can be resolved through unity.

As the future of America, our youth deserve guidance, encouragement, and respect.

America’s youth are catalysts, pivotal to reawakening the nation, which will be realized through moral leadership, steadfast vigilance, and community cohesiveness.

Related Coverage:

Opinion: Student Walkout Is America’s Lesson of a Lifetime

Sexual Harassment Dishonors Human Dignity

America’s 21st Century Student: Character, Courage, Community


Note Well:

Twitter: vincentjbove

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of 275 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photo: Police take two presumed members of a gang trafficking people to the United States to court in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on June 9, 2016. (ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Visionary American Leadership: Champion for the Poor

There are parallels for American society in the masterpiece novel “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens.

The marginalized French peasantry are depicted as oppressed, humiliated, and demoralized.

It was the intent of Dickens in this immortal classic to influence the wealthy in London in 1859.

Dickens, unbeknownst to him, has another task, to inspire the wealthy in contemporary America.

In his famous opening lines, Dickens has a message for America. All who have ears to hear must listen:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us”

Champion of the Poor

During the 2016 presidential debates, the topic of poverty in America was glaringly missing from the conversations.

Charles Dickens was a champion of the poor because of his horrific childhood. He was forced to work in a factory, as so many other children were, to survive.

Dickens was forced to quit school. He worked ten-hour days at a local warehouse for six shillings a week. In the mid-1800s, a British shilling was a silver coin with the approximate size and value of a U.S. quarter. So, Dickens salary was roughly a U.S. $1.50 at that time.

In his novel, Dickens is warning the aristocracy with a metaphor of sowing and reaping. If the rich sow seeds of revolution through injustice, neglect, or contempt for the poor, they will reap a harvest of revolution.

The rich were portrayed as humiliating the poor. Meanwhile, the rich lived lavishly, excessively, and selfishly.

There is a universal message in this timeless masterpiece, and a poignant statement to contemporary America.

America has a history of generosity toward the marginalized. Poverty demands an impassioned commitment to treat the poor with dignity, empathy, and charity.

American Poverty: Facts and Statistics

According the the Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, many in America are hungry and billions of pounds of food are wasted each year.

Feeding America details alarming recent poverty statistics in the United States that include the following:

• 43.1 million people (13.5 percent) were in poverty.

• 24.4 million (12.4 percent) of people ages 18-64 were in poverty.

• 14.5 million (19.7 percent) children under the age of 18 were in poverty.

• 4.2 million (8.8 percent) seniors 65 and older were in poverty.

• The overall poverty rate according to the Supplemental Poverty Measure is 14.3 percent, significantly higher than the official poverty rate of 13.5 percent.

• Under the Supplemental Poverty Measure, there are 45.7 million people living in poverty, 2.6 million more than are represented by the official poverty measure (43.1 million).

• 42.2 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 29.1 million adults and 13.1 million children.

• 13 percent of households (15.8 million households) were food insecure.

• 5 percent of households (6.3 million households) experienced very low food security.

• Households with children reported food insecurity at a significantly higher rate than those without children, 17 percent compared to 11 percent.

• Households that had higher rates of food insecurity than the national average included households with children (17%), especially households with children headed by single women (30%) or single men (22%), Black non-Hispanic households (22%) and Hispanic households (19%).

• 5.4 million seniors (over age 60), or 9 percent of all seniors were food insecure.

• Food insecurity exists in every county in America, ranging from a low of 4 percent in Loudoun County, VA to a high of 38 percent in Jefferson County, MS.

Final Reflections

The timeless and universal message of Dickens in “The Tale of Two Cities” demands a call to action for America.

Poverty is a reality throughout the world and also right here on our homeland.

In America, where there is such incredible wealth, our poverty is a national scandal. The homeless, hungry, destitute, and hopeless cry out to the soul of America, and to the hearts of each of us.

The scandal of America’s poverty needs visionary leadership by all, particularly those in the highest levels of society.

It is unfathomable that there are so many destitute in America and that many children are hungry each day.

America must be a champion of the poor. We must enable all to benefit from the fruits of the harvest.

We must avoid the apathy that attempts to assuage our conscience. It is not acceptable that so many only have access to a few crumbs that fall from the lavish tables of the privileged.

America has an ordained mission of justice, dignity, and moral responsibility toward every member of society.

Our nation must live according to its call to be an ethical guardian. America must be dedicated to improving the lives of the poor. This will be a hallmark of our sincerity to reawakening the nation.

There is a Latin expression, “magnas inter opes inops’ which translates as “poor amid great riches.”

It is a reminder that the destitute in America are surrounded by inestimable wealth.

America must be mindful of our poor, and express honor to all who do everything in their power to assist them.

Photo

1. Volunteers assisting the Missionaries of Charity, commonly known as the sisters of Mother Theresa, at the Saint Augustine soup kitchen, Newark, NJ, Dec. 11, 2016. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. Homeless lady at the entrance of Central Park, 59th Street and Columbus Circle, NYC, Jan. 1, 2006. (Vincent J. Bove)

3. Bethseda Terrace, Central Park, NYC, Apr. 4, 2013. (Vincent J. Bove)

Related Coverage:

America’s Forgotten Homeless: Awareness, Compassion, Dignity

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.