Young volunteers and homeless people experience conversion and live the Gospel in Sarnelli House, a Redemptorist home founded in inner-city Philadelphia in 1997. Men and women from all regions of the United States as well as Canada, the Carribean, Ireland and Germany experience the Redemptorist charism of simplicity, prayer, service, and solidarity with people in need: these volunteers clean the house and prepare meals for their homeless guests, whom they refer to as "friends." They pray together daily. "Praying with the poor - an essential part of Sarnelli's ministries - deeply impacts the volunteers," notes co-founder, Fr. Kevin Murray, C.Ss.R. "The poor pray openly and honestly about their needs. They also express their trust in the people at Sarnelli House who pray with them." In a typical week, the young volunteer residents host two lunches for about 35 guests and prepare another family-style meal for 60 to 100 homeless neighbors. On Fridays, Sarnelli House residents deliver lunches to people who live in the streets. They volunteer at other ministries, such as local shelters and nursing homes. Father Murray believes that the volunteers at Sarnelli house are looking for a prayerful faith based community where they can live-in response to the Gospel-their own desire to help others, particularly the poor and abandoned. "They are interested in working with people who not only need help but who in turn help the volunteers in their spiritual and human development," says Father Murray. "One thing I stress during the application process is the concept of growth. Those who come here do so with a desire to grow spiritually. They like the fact that at Sarnelli House they find prayer, community and ministry. "A thin veil separates us from those who live on the streets," remarks Father Murray. "Our volunteers quickly lose the barriers or prejudices they may have had that separate them from the poor. They become really present to the homeless in a powerful way." Student volunteers who are in high school stay at Sarnelli House for the summer session; college students usually stay for a year. "The mission of evangelization extends not only to those in economic need, but deeply affects those who minister as well." Fr. Murray sees the Church take on flesh when the young volunteers experience solidarity with their brothers and sisters who live in poverty. Homeless guests truly become friends during their visits for meals, liturgy, or a shower. "The average person does not see how wealthy the poor people are in their real, open, joyful trust," he observes. "It is transforming for all of us at the House to be part of it." For more information, contact: www.bscphilly.org/