Hi there!
My name is Mark Toffler. I’m a 28 year old Catholic from Oregon and this coming fall three other young Catholics and myself will be inaugurating a new works of mercy program through St. Michael’s Parish in downtown Portland. The purpose of our mission will be to engage and form relationships with some of the most at risk and marginalized people in the Portland area, primarily the homeless and incarcerated, as well as to assist in youth and adult faith formation programs where needed. To accomplish this we will live communally in a house a short distance from our parish and endeavor six days a week to build relationships through conversation and visitation, distribution of food and other essentials, and prudential but open invitation to join us in forming a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
The importance of this work can never
be overstated but is now perhaps more vital than any other time in recent history. In times of civil and public health crises, it is difficult for many of us to see the divine hand at work in our lives and in the broader world, to trust in God’s will and believe that that will is nothing short of infinite love. This is especially true for those of our neighbors who struggle with addiction, mental illness, isolation and loneliness; those who often struggle even to be seen by their fellow man.
God has given me the opportunity to be apart of a humble but beautiful beginning, a local effort to soothe some of the hurt in this community by proclaiming the gospel through action, prayer, and friendship.
To accomplish our goals we will need help from our friends, family, and any others that may see the goodness and merit of our mission. To
that end I am asking for your generosity and in return, I promise to place you in the daily prayers our mission and to make you a part of this journey by providing you all with frequent updates and insights along the way. Any amount helps us, but even if you can’t contribute monetarily, please consider sharing this gofundme, and more importantly, keeping the mission in your prayers as we attempt the difficult task of acting as worthy ambassadors of our sovereign king Jesus Christ.