A new outreach ministry in Southwest Baltimore was blessed by Archbishop William E. Lori on Thursday in a Blessing and Dedication ceremony at the newly-opened storefront.
The Holy Family Catholic Worker will serve as a resource hub for the community, its mission to serve as a place of “refuge, peace, and welcome, where all may experience the healing and compassion of God’s Love,” according to the press release. The new outreach ministry is a collaboration between Our Lady of Victory Parish and the Historic Saint Joseph’s Monastery, in partnership with Health by Southwest, a group of local, Catholic organizations aiming to improve the health of residents in Southwest Baltimore.
“The Holy Family Catholic Worker will be a new place of vision,” Lori said. “A place for those who are in need, are seen. And seeing a person is different than looking at a person. Seeing a person is different than just getting a glimpse of a person. It means knowing, understanding, listening, and responding in love. I’m saying that kind of vision is what is going to be happening here.”
“Fill these rooms with your peace and make it a place of refuge for all who find their way here,” Lori continued. “Open the hearts of those who come here so that they may receive not only material help but also the dignity of being seen and being loved.”
“The storefront will serve as a safe space to simply be and exist,” said Father Mike Murphy of Our Lady of Victory with the Historic Saint Joseph’s Monastery. “We are here to listen to those who simply want to talk and be heard and are ready to respond to what the community genuinely needs.”
The ceremony was attended by local elected officials, including Delegate Malcolm Ruff, Delegate Samuel Rosenberg, Delegate Sean Stinnett, Assistant Deputy Mayor Krystal Billups, City Council President Zeke Cohen, City Councilman John Bullock, and City Councilman Mark Conway. Local non-profit organizations also attended, including ShareBaby, Safe Streets, and Moms Demand Action.
“A growing movement of community building is taking root in Southwest Baltimore, and the Holy Family Catholic Worker is an important part of that work,” Cohen said. “This kind of community-rooted presence is what transforms neighborhoods, and I am proud to support this important initiative.”
Members of Health by Southwest include Ascension Saint Agnes, Archdiocese of Baltimore, Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Mount Saint Joseph High School, My Brother’s Keeper, and Our Lady of Victory with the Historic Saint Joseph’s Monastery.
“Building relationships and partnerships with local community members is integral for improving health outcomes throughout the Baltimore region,” said Olivia Farrow, vice president of external affairs at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital. “We are incredibly proud to support the important work of the Holy Family Catholic Worker.”
The Holy Family Catholic Worker is located at 2483 Frederick Ave. in the Westside Shopping Center in southwest Baltimore’s Mill Hill neighborhood. The storefront will host a pro-bono Expungement Clinic on May 16 and the Fourth Annual Gun Buyback on Aug. 8.
