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It is Time for the State of California, Counties, Cities, and Continuums of Care to Collectively Prepare to Solve Homelessness in a Post-Pandemic Era
The Time Has Come to Design a Flexible Pool of Funds to Rapidly Respond to Homelessness Unlike Ever Before –See Recommendations for Next Steps Below– It is time to boost a “whatever it takes” approach to house homeless households by designing a flexible pool of funds to respond rapidly to the homeless experiences of individuals…
Read MoreChristmas Beyond Christmas
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year –Ebenezer Scrooge– In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens describes Ebenezer Scrooge’s encounters with three ghosts—Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. After the third encounter, a resolved Scrooge, cries out “I…
Read MorePreparing for Advent, Insight, and the Descent of the Mars Lander
As we await the landing of Insight, NASA’s lander, to touch down on Mars on Monday, November 26 at approximately noon PST, I cannot help but begin to reflect on insight and yearn to search the scriptures for insightful words. Imagining Insight burrowing into the surface of the Red Planet to explore its interior inspires…
Read MoreHomelessness Increases in Merced County
There were 514 adults and children counted as homeless on January 25, 2018, which was the designated time of the Merced County 2018 Homeless Count and Survey. This represents an increase of 13.2% when compared to the 454 adults and children counted as homeless in 2017 as noted in the following table. Of the 514…
Read MoreThe Little Office for the New Year: Praying the Great Psalm
Psalm 119 is worthy of being called the Great Psalm. Not because it is the longest Psalm in the Bible, though it is. Not because it is the longest chapter in the Bible, though it is. Not because some consider it a literary tour de force due to its display of strength and skill…
Read MorePraying the Christmas Prayers of the Mystics for Advent: Preparing for the Charm of Christmas Morning (Part I)
–slowly savor the sweet sentiments of one of the prayers right now- Mysticism is a passionate love affair between the mystic and God. Mystics known to us today have expressed such passion in prayers. Their language is often intimate, sweet, and tender. Loving moments in prayer, such as those expressed by mystics to God concerning…
Read MoreThe Little Office of the Birth of the Christian Church for Renewal on Pentecost Sunday Part III: Preparing for 9:00 am
You are encouraged to find an upper room or sacred space for at least one designated time of prayer today to read the passages of scripture below for reflection and prayer in preparation to be renewed by the Holy Spirit tomorrow, Pentecost Sunday. Be mindful that setting aside such a place for prayerful practice, places…
Read MoreThe Little Office of the Birth of the Christian Church for Renewal on Pentecost Sunday Part II
The Little Office of the Birth of the Christian Church, for the Society of Urban Monks, is comprised of passages of scripture for reading, reflection, and prayer that are framed around hours and periods of time noted in chapters 1 and 2 of the Book of Acts that lead up to, and include, the Day…
Read MoreA Reflection on Silence: The Movie
After watching the recently released movie entitled Silence, I recalled a quote that has been attributed to God, which is “You will never be able to hear my words if you cannot hear my silence.” Silence is a movie about two Jesuit priests in search of their mentor, Fr. Ferreira, who committed apostasy after being…
Read MoreHomelessness in Merced County Decreased by 12% in 2017
According to the 2017 Homeless Count and Survey, Merced County saw a 12% decrease in homelessness. Throughout 2016, many homeless service providers reported significant numbers of homeless persons who exited homelessness through their resources and community partnerships because of implementing evidence-based and best practices.
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