Scenes from a Parish Paper After watching Scenes from a Parish, I found that much of the efforts made within St. Patrick’s related to St. Francis’s story when he responded to the call to restore the church of San Damiano. As St. Francis worked on the church, he was able to attract followers and form a Franciscan community. I found St. Partick’s Church to follow a similar philosophy in several instances. First of all, the church maintained a lay character and accepted any person who needed assistance. For instance, as the food center was completed, volunteers went around the city informing all groups of people that this food center would be available to them whenever they needed it. Additionally, during the opening ceremony of the food
…show more content…
When Father Paul O’Brien arrived at St. Patrick’s in 2001, he sought to teach people to break from their individualism and share with others in a community setting. Although Father O’Brien grew up in an environment very different from Lawrence, he believed this community has as much potential as any other. Despite opposition from parishioners such as Frank Martin and Edna McGregor, he knew that he had an obligation to welcome the newcomers of Lawrence into the parish. Just as St. Francis shared his meal with Clare and others, Father O’Brien did the same by directing the construction of the food center. By creating this facility, Father O’Brien and the other parishioners had an opportunity to live like St. Francis, as eating together provides an occasion to enjoy each other’s company and friendship. Father O’Brien also opened up a basketball court for the youth of Lawrence, who had no other place to go for recreational activities. By opening up his parish to the youth, he was able to encourage positive community relations, since it taught the youth the importance of teamwork, respect, and assisting others in need. Based on these ideas, it is evident that Father O’Brien strived to make St. Francis’s as ifs a reality by forming a community committed to racial and economic
When Father Paul O’Brien arrived at St. Patrick’s in 2001, he sought to teach people to break from their individualism and share with others in a community setting. Although Father O’Brien grew up in an environment very different from Lawrence, he believed this community has as much potential as any other. Despite opposition from parishioners such as Frank Martin and Edna McGregor, he knew that he had an obligation to welcome the newcomers of Lawrence into the parish. Just as St. Francis shared his meal with Clare and others, Father O’Brien did the same by directing the construction of the food center. By creating this facility, Father O’Brien and the other parishioners had an opportunity to live like St. Francis, as eating together provides an occasion to enjoy each other’s company and friendship. Father O’Brien also opened up a basketball court for the youth of Lawrence, who had no other place to go for recreational activities. By opening up his parish to the youth, he was able to encourage positive community relations, since it taught the youth the importance of teamwork, respect, and assisting others in need. Based on these ideas, it is evident that Father O’Brien strived to make St. Francis’s as ifs a reality by forming a community committed to racial and economic