A Simple House is a spiritual, material outreach to poor

Published: 2006-08-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Relying on divine providence and the charisms of Sts. Francis of Assisi and Alphonsus Liguori, volunteers with A Simple House adhere to a lifestyle of Christian poverty and practice what they call "friendship evangelization" among the poor in Washington. According to the mission statement of the Catholic lay missionary apostolate, its volunteers "wonderfully and radically fall upon the cross of Christ for grace and support" and serve the poor by "proclaiming the Gospel through acts of faith, love and charity." They observe Franciscan poverty "with an Alphonsian love for the poorest of the poor." Clark Massey, director, said there is a "wonderful living in the moment" aspect of the ministry. "I've quit worrying about the whole course of my life and now focus more on the last five minutes," he said in an interview with Catholic News Service.

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