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ENDOW Catholic study group helps homeless women discover their dignity

By Julie Filby

The Catholic educational program Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) is bringing a message of hope and self-respect to homeless women residing at Catholic Charities’ Samaritan House in downtown Denver.

The message is delivered each week through an hour-long study group at the shelter where participants are encouraged to pray, ask questions and share stories while learning about their God-given roles and dignity as women.

Traditionally, Endow groups have consisted of Catholic women in a similar age group and socioeconomic status.

“This group is very different; wonderful, but different,” said Shaina Stein, one of the facilitators. “It consists of very few Catholic women with a wide range of beliefs, financial circumstances and backgrounds.”

Many of the women experiencing homelessness have also experienced some kind of threat to their dignity.

“Some of them have never been told about their dignity and don’t even know the meaning of it,” she said. “They’ve been objectified, used and treated like a commodity.”

The evening of Oct. 3, 13 women—10 Samaritan House residents and three group facilitators—gathered around a table at the shelter and shared their thoughts on topics such as: pros and cons of the 1960s women’s liberation movement; Adam and Eve and the Fall; and how they felt when someone did, or didn’t, give up their seat on the bus.

The conversation was in context with Blessed John Paul II’s 1995 “Letter to Women,” the document they are studying. Here, the late pope supports the special place women hold in the family, the Church and the world.

“I like John Paul II’s ‘Letter to Women,’” said Patricia Bratcher, a regular participant in the group that started Sept. 12. “It’s positive and helps strengthen my faith and sense of worth.”

Bratcher, 57, has stage four colon cancer. She has resided at the shelter since July 2011 when the financial strain of divorce, illness and litigation caused her to lose her home.

Bratcher, a self-described “former wannabe Catholic and ordained minister of a charismatic Pentecostal ministry,” appreciates the openness of the group.

“I enjoy the leaders, their encouragement and allowing us to share equally,” she said, “and for respecting our opinions, whether agreeing with them or not.”

The 10-15 weekly participants—usually half returning and half new—come from all walks of life.

“We have a lot of fine women from all kinds of backgrounds such as nurses, business women, mothers and grandmothers,” said Edna Bishop, 56, who has resided at the shelter for a month. “We make a complete group of formidable women.”

Bishop was living with her son and his family and landed at the shelter when the couple split up.

“I appreciate the fact that John Paul II expressed his love and gratitude (for women) in his letter,” said Bishop who is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. “It also gives an idea of our struggles through the ages, and how hard we’ve worked to be recognized as women to each generation.”

Martha Reichert, an Endow board member, facilitates the group with Mary Vulcani and Stein, a California native serving a one-year commitment as a Christ in the City missionary in Denver.

“Father Michael (Suchnicki, O.F.M. Cap., chaplain at Samaritan House) wrote to Endow requesting that we bring the Church’s message on the nature and dignity of women to Samaritan House,” explained Reichert. “(We) are thrilled to have the opportunity to serve these women.”

Endow’s existing format was revised to better meet the needs and circumstances of the homeless, including shortening the standard eight-week class to six weeks.

“This was a chance to be creative while delivering John Paul II’s message of the new feminism,” said Reichert. “It will also accommodate the high turnover that occurs at Samaritan House.”

Each of the four classes offered has been filled to capacity.

“Father Michael is our biggest promoter,” said Reichert. “He makes announcements over the intercom every Monday and really gets the women excited about coming to Endow.”

Residents are required to take life-skill classes on employment, housing and budgeting; and Endow counts toward class credits as well. Samaritan House, which is filled to capacity every night, has facilities for 140 men, 40 women, 20 units for families, as well as overflow space for about 100 men on cots. There are some 50 children living at the shelter.

“Father Michael’s vision, and ours, for the women is to have time each week to come together, learn about their God-given dignity, experience the love of Christ, form friendships, and grow intellectually and spiritually,” said Reichert. “One woman shared that when she was on the streets, she was doing drugs and having sex with many different men … but since coming to Samaritan House she’s starting to think very differently about her future.

“John Paul II’s message is penetrating hearts!”

Stein, 22, serves as a practical and spiritual resource to residents, and carries the Endow presence throughout the week, leading a daily rosary and children’s Bible study.

“My role here allows me to follow up with women who attended the study, and speak to them about anything that struck them or any questions they have,” she said. “My door is always open for residents if they need help or just need someone to listen.”

Endow classes at Samaritan House will continue through May.