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Pastoral MinistryPastoral Ministers at Covenant House provide a ministry of presence and guidance in spiritual values and services to residents and staff. This is done through voluntary religious services, group activities, and individual counseling. Youth are encouraged to participate in the religious services of their own traditions.
The Covenant House pastoral staff have a special way of reaching homeless youth and putting them in touch with the God that loves them. Pastoral ministers help street youth to heal from the trauma in their young lives, to find hope and love. Some renew their faith in God. Others find it for the first time.
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Meet Father Placid Stroik, Director of Pastoral Ministry, Covenant House
Q.What do you see as the role of Pastoral Ministry at Covenant House? A. To provide the opportunity for the kids to see their goodness - to get young people to focus on their goodness. And to show them, through our actions, that God loves them unconditionally. Q. What brings kids to Covenant House? A. Kids come to us in pain - they can't name it, all they know is that they hurt. In addition to food, clothing, shelter, safety, they are also searching for meaning. Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Q. Is there one youth that stands out in your mind in your work at Covenant House? A. So many people wonder how kids who have had such a tough time in life can think about God's role in their lives. But on a regular basis, not one, but many young people say to me, "Fr. Placid, I know the only reason I'm alive is because God cares about me." Instead of anger, they show incredible strength and an inner faith. They are stressed, but they do not believe God has abandoned them. |
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