For Karen
March – June 2007
Project Description: In a project unlike any we have done before, Mychal’s Message wanted to help make a dream come true for Father Michael Duffy, the staff, volunteers and the homeless and poor who visit St. Francis Inn daily. Donations were collected to help purchase supplies to create an outdoor mural to represent the true Franciscan spirit. The hope is that it will reflect the compassion and love taking place on the other side of the wall and offer a statement of peace for all to see.
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This project was named in honor of “Karen,” a close friend of Father Michael Duffy who, in 2006, was moved to begin a life of service to the poor she had met at St. Francis Inn. However before she could begin, Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer and is today facing this adversity with courage and hope. (Karen’s story at bottom)
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Results: A check in the amount of $2,500 was presented to Father Michael Duffy of St. Francis Inn to purchase paint, brushes and scaffolding supplies for the mural. Thank you to everyone who helped make this dream a reality for the staff in Philadelphia. Below is a photo of the finished mural.
A Note From Karen, in whose honor this project was named: “Thank you to everyone who made the mural at the St. Francis Inn possible. Thank you for all of your support and prayers. While we are influenced by circumstances, we too can have an influence. Peace in Christ, Karen Pointer”
Karen’s Story
Karen was a young girl when she first met Fr. Mychal Judge and his close friend, Fr. Michael Duffy at St. Joseph’s Church in East Rutherford, NJ. Father Michael Duffy was a true Franciscan, a priest who brought the gospel to life and life to the gospel. At a time when organs were the musical instruments most used at Catholic masses, Father Michael Duffy introduced the congregation to the guitar and some of the first folk masses at St. Joseph’s. Young Karen played the guitar, loved to sing, and was eager to join this newly formed folk group. Under Father Michael’s direction, Karen’s musical talents blossomed and the two became lifelong friends. Though their lives led them in different directions, they remained in touch over the years.
In the Summer of 2006, Karen visited Fr. Michael at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia where he had been ministering to the homeless and poor for most of his priestly life. During her time there, Karen prayed often. Inspired by Fr. Michael and his compassion for the poor, Karen discovered that she was being called to a life of service. She returned home filled with hope. But, before her new journey began, Karen received frightening news. She had breast cancer. She faced this new adversity with great courage and hope. She began chemotherapy, had a double mastectomy and is now awaiting radiation treatments. In a card written to her cousin the day of her surgery, Karen wrote, “I know you understand what living with hope means.” Karen (pictured left, playing her guitar, the night before her surgery) is teaching her family how to embrace the cross and to live with hope.
Mychal’s Message Living With Hope project has been named in honor of Karen.
Mychal's Message 