As he surveyed the atmosphere at a San Bernardino park, with many homeless men and women gathering to receive basic food, water and clothing, diocesan seminarian Ruben Chavarria’s mind went to the Gospels and specifically the way that crowds would gather around Jesus and his disciples.
“They were hungry and thirsty for something,” said Chavarria, drawing a parallel between the outreach effort in which he participated and those who approached the Lord in the scriptures.
Chavarria and five other seminarians ministered to the homeless at five different locations in San Bernardino on May 11 distributing food, water, clothing, and hygiene kits to approximately 200 people. The other participating seminarians were Jose Hernandez, Jose Cortez, Jr., Anthony Gutierrez, Christopher Rodriguez, and Juan Samaniego. They were joined by Father Jorge Garcia, Rector of St. Junipero Serra House of Formation, and Monsignor Anthony Eze.
The outreach effort was part of a Recollection Day designed to help the seminarians experience the daily realities of those in need and practice Corporal Works of Mercy. They began with Mass in the Serra House Chapel before setting out to deliver the food bags.
“They have everything here,” Fr. Garcia said of the seminarians at Serra House. “The purpose of this was for them to go out and see the needs of the people. Not just to feed them, but to meet them.”
Chavarria said the harshness of life on the streets was immediately felt – hunger, heat and foul odor was in the air.
“It really got to me that these people live through this every day, we were just there for one day,” he said. “It gave me some love for them. The gratitude that they have is more than we have.”
Temporary stations for the food bags were set up in the parks and the seminarians went out in pairs to distribute them. A donation of $2,500 was provided by the Knights of Columbus to help fund the outreach.
After they had finished, the seminarians returned to the Serra House Chapel to process and discuss what they had experienced.
“It was moving for everyone,” Fr. Garcia said. “I saw their enthusiasm and their desire to help – their generous hearts.”
The real-life experience animated what he is learning as a seminarian, Chavarria said.
“It brings you to a different realm. All these foundations were put into practicality.”