Seminarians Hit the Streets of Charlotte to Help the Homeless with New Ministry
Diocese of Charlotte Seminarians Start Homeless Support Mission Project
Charlotte, NC —
Two Diocese of Charlotte seminarians, Jordan Haag and Matthew Hennessy, have launched a new ministry to assist men and women experiencing homelessness in Uptown Charlotte. The initiative began just before Ash Wednesday and sees the seminarians, along with volunteers, walking the area around St. Peter Church on Fridays and Saturdays to provide care and support to those in need.
Jordan Haag, 32, was inspired to start the outreach after positive experiences working with a similar ministry in Alaska while serving in the U.S. Army. Haag and Hennessy have enlisted the help of altar servers from St. Patrick Cathedral to collect necessities, such as food, water, warm clothing, and spiritual items like holy cards and rosaries, between weekend Masses.
Living Out the Corporal Works of Mercy
Matthew Hennessy, 21, expressed his excitement to join Haag in this new endeavor. He emphasized the importance of serving the homeless during Lent and evangelizing through example. “Sometimes people need food and water, and sometimes they just need another person to have a friendly conversation with. I love what we’re doing,” said Hennessy.
The seminarians hope to see the ministry grow and expand to other areas around Charlotte, such as Gastonia. Their goal is to serve individuals of all backgrounds and ages, offering not only physical necessities but also emotional and spiritual support.
Evangelization Through Action
During their outreach, Haag and Hennessy work in teams, engaging with individuals on the streets and collecting names to add to a prayer list during the week. The response from the community, both Catholic and non-religious, has been largely positive, with many expressing gratitude for the support and conversation.
While the weekly outreach will continue through Lent, the seminarians plan to transition to a biweekly schedule after Easter. They encourage those interested in volunteering or making donations to reach out to Jordan Haag at example@example.com.
Get Involved
Altar servers at St. Patrick Cathedral are assisting seminarians Jordan Haag and Matthew Hennessy by collecting essential items during weekend Masses. Needed items include first-aid supplies, toiletries, healthy snacks, clothing, and spiritual materials. To learn more about the mission or get involved, email Jordan Haag at example@example.com.
