Rebuild from the Grass Roots 911 Memory

Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!

Rebuild from the Grass Roots – A 9/11 Memory

Another great e-mail blast from Father Leo!!

Several months ago, I visited New York City with some seminarians. I was there for a radio interview on Sirius, some business meetings, and a bit of sightseeing.
We made a stop at Ground Zero, as it was shortly after the Pope’s visit to New York. We saw some of the reconstruction efforts from afar and heard the powerful story of a young man whose life was affected by the tragic events of September 11th.
Meet Chuck, a resident of the St. Francis House, a home for young men who need a second chance in life, in Brooklyn, New York ; and Joe, the director of St. Francis House and the producer at Grassroots Films.
I had the pleasure of cooking for these guys and getting to know them. I knew about Grassr oots Films because they produced one of the greatest videos about vocations called Fishers of Men. The visit impressed me greatly. For these men, this house is really a home. They eat together every evening; t hey have regular chapel time and attend the parish church as a family; they work together and help each other grow in virtue together. That’s a great example of what a family should do. This is a house of Godly men!
Chuck is a quiet, mild mannered young man. When introduced, I thought he said his name was “Truck. ” So, I called him Truck for most of the evening before he gently corrected me. But, I think my nickname stuck, at least for a little while.
Chuck’s experience puts another human face on the tragedy of 9/11 and the hope that grew from it. He moved to New York from a small town with hopes of making it in the media world. What a talented guy! Check out the new Grassroots project called The Human Experience, and you’ll see what I mean.
When he left his family, Chuck chose to live at St. Francis House because he wanted a community of believers to help strengthen his faith. He was slated to start a good job in the media field on September 11, 2001. Needless to say, his opportunity for making a life for himself would be put on hold . He would have to come to grips with the trauma of being right in the midst of the chaos on that terrible day.
Shell- shocked, Chuck returned home to his family. Thank God he had one that cared for him, since the aftermath of that day left him naturally despondent. Though he wanted to return to New York immediately , Joe wisely encouraged him and his family to wait until the shock wore off. The fact is, we are fragile people and something so traumatic requires time for prayers and healing. In God’s time, Chuck gained perspective, found a way to deal with the pain, and mad e the decision to go back home to St. Francis House. With the strength of the Grassr oots family, he used his skills to work with a team of underfunded but extremely talented new Evangelists to create powerful videos with inspiring messages that bring about a conversion starting at the grass roots level.
Chuck, and indeed all of the young men living at St. Francis House, showed me that when our plans in life are shaken up or torn down, we need to find the strength to rebuild our family, our society, and our world. Human spirits can easily be broken, but the s pirit of God can help us rise again – even after the single most terrible act of terrorism in our country’s history.
Chuck’s experience shows us that we cannot recover alone. We need family; not just our biological family, but a community of believers in our church family. After all, families don’t live separate from society. Consider how you are plugged into a community of believers .
Chuck and his “ brothers” showed me that hope is real. With a view of Manhattan forever changed because of two planes, a few box cutters, and a group of hateful men, St. Francis House hopes to shape a better world with one house, a few cameras, and a group of men who know the meaning of Christ’s love.
As our country commemorates the seventh anniversary of September 11th , I pray that all of those affected by this tragedy will experience the prayerful support of family. And, if you’re still trying to figure out how to make a house into a home, just take a few cues from Grassroots Films and the brothers living at St. Francis House.
Grilled Chicken with Mango Chutney
While at the St. Francis House, I wanted to cook a grilled favorite accented with the freshness of mango chutney. I may have given this recipe before, but it’s definitely worth an encore, especially since it’s still warm enough to use your outdoor grill. I prepared a tremendous amount of food , and I thought there would be left overs . However, the brothers at the house seemed to enjoy it so much, there was only a little left. Eat up fellas. You have big work ahead as you evangelize the world with inspiring and quality films. With Joe as director of the house, Mary as queen of your home, and Jesus, the Lord of your life, I’m sure you men will transform culture from the grass roots up!
Click here for the recipe.

A Grass Roots Prayer for Your Family

Loving God, we can face so many struggles that we may want to give up. We endure so much tragedy that we wonder whether it’s worth trying again. We encounter situations that may even feel hopeless. But, we know Lord that You never let us experience these challenges alone. Bless our families , near and far, with the strength to face these struggles with hope. We pray in a special way for all of those who will commemorate loved ones who died in the September 11th tragedy . May they know of the power of Your love, experience the strength of faith, and the light of hope that pierces our darkest night. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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