Want-to-be-monk needs support
Donation protected
Since 2011 I have been trying to establish a contemplative Benedictine community in my home San Francisco Bay Area. My story and my vision of this community is posted at Our Lady of Refuge Monastery I had been looking after my aging father and autistic brother from August 2015 through September of 2017.
My dad died in May of 2017, and my siblings took over everything, including relocating my autistic brother (without my involvement--but he is okay). The house sold in December but I was allowed to stay until February 2018 when I had to get out. I moved into a Marriott Hotel nearby. I had been surviving by my inheritance until now. Throughout all this time, I did look for decent employment, I did look for housing however it is very very hard for a 65 year old single man to find either these days.
In February, I reached out to the pastor of the parish where I had been attending Mass. There was no response to my Email. Then COVID19 led to the shut down of the economy and the demise of any employment opportunities in the area. Again I made contact with the parish by Email and by telephone, but my messages have been ignored.
I have given my life to the Church since I was a very young person. Though I have been gifted in arts and letters, I am not so gifted in the more marketable skills of math, science, and technology. Nevertheless, priests and lay-folk have taken great advantage of my gifts, but turn their backs on me when I have been in need. I don't believe I deserve this kind of treatment.
I would be most grateful for public support so that I may be spared from going to a homeless shelter and perhaps be allowed more time to seek out other opportunities. Be assured of my prayers for your kindness, for which I am sure God will abundantly bless you!
I prefer go by the name "Brother Joseph" although I am not currently recognized as a monk these days (see bio on website for full account).
My dad died in May of 2017, and my siblings took over everything, including relocating my autistic brother (without my involvement--but he is okay). The house sold in December but I was allowed to stay until February 2018 when I had to get out. I moved into a Marriott Hotel nearby. I had been surviving by my inheritance until now. Throughout all this time, I did look for decent employment, I did look for housing however it is very very hard for a 65 year old single man to find either these days.
In February, I reached out to the pastor of the parish where I had been attending Mass. There was no response to my Email. Then COVID19 led to the shut down of the economy and the demise of any employment opportunities in the area. Again I made contact with the parish by Email and by telephone, but my messages have been ignored.
I have given my life to the Church since I was a very young person. Though I have been gifted in arts and letters, I am not so gifted in the more marketable skills of math, science, and technology. Nevertheless, priests and lay-folk have taken great advantage of my gifts, but turn their backs on me when I have been in need. I don't believe I deserve this kind of treatment.
I would be most grateful for public support so that I may be spared from going to a homeless shelter and perhaps be allowed more time to seek out other opportunities. Be assured of my prayers for your kindness, for which I am sure God will abundantly bless you!
I prefer go by the name "Brother Joseph" although I am not currently recognized as a monk these days (see bio on website for full account).
Organizer
Joseph Murphy
Organizer
Redwood City, CA