By Jim Davis - Florida Catholic
Photographer: JIM DAVIS | FC
Visitors to Camillus House listen to Eduardo Gloria, vice president of strategy, during a tour of the eight-story facility.
MIAMI | In a few months, the men who run Camillus House will desert the white robes for which they have been known for more than five decades in South Florida.
The two groups will blend their experience � one in street ministry to the homeless, the other in institutional service to the physically and mentally ill � for a comprehensive skillset in serving the needy, said leaders on both sides.
The planned merger, set for Jan. 19, 2015, was the occasion for the recent mixer of some 60 brothers from both groups, who toured Camillus House's main shelter in the Overtown section of Miami. The eight-story, 192-bed complex showed what even a small order like the Little Brothers � who currently number only 27 men � can accomplish.
"I've seen miracles happen here," said C.J. Matherne, director of new facility development. "It's amazing to see people walk in with a hollow look in their eyes � and walk out on the day of their graduation with a bright light in their eyes."
But no worries: The Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd are not giving up their much-honored ministry to the homeless. Instead, they�ll don the black habits of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, into which their group will merge.
Photographer: JIM DAVIS | FC
Speakers pause for a photo after a tour of Camillus House. From left are Brother General Jesus Etayo of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God; Paul Ahr, president and CEO of Camillus House; and Brother Justin Howson, superior of the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd.
"Both sides bring a lot of expertise," said Hospitaller Brother General Jesus Etayo at a gathering of members of the two orders in June. "Religious brothers can work with anyone, but it's better to work with others of the same spirituality."
Brother Justin Howson, superior of the Good Shepherd Brothers, agreed. "The St. John of God Brothers are worldwide and have a long history. And the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd can offer a revitalized vision of serving suffering humanity."
Photographer: JIM DAVIS | FC
Oil painting by Patricia Forde Ahr, wellness coordinator at Camillus House, shows broken hearts being healed as they flow through the shelter's logo. The painting is reproduced on the backs of the staff's business cards.
Spread out before them was a nearly self-sufficient service city packed into 3.5 acres and 385,000 square feet � following the plan of Camillus House�s president and CEO, Paul Ahr, "to build a 21st century monastery."
Dressed in jeans and pullovers rather than their habits, the brothers chatted and marveled at the 385,000-square-foot Norwegian Cruise Line Campus of Camillus House. They learned about the housing, both emergency and long term. They saw a residents� floor, where clients can cook and watch TV in common areas, and where they can wash and dry clothes.
The brothers heard from Patricia Forde, director of treatment and wellness, about various classes available: yoga, meditation, and alcohol dependency programs. They learned about the various social workers, mental health counselors, landlord brokers, and other servants that make up a full range of onsite aid for the homeless.
They saw the 8,000-gallon fuel tank that could power Camillus House's diesel generator up to 11 days after a power failure. They noted even the little things that make a community: a mailroom, a clothing exchange, even a 20-unit kennel for the pets of homeless people � complete with bags and cans of food.
And they saw the amenities, including a garden where residents grow veggies like squash and tomatoes, and a pavilion where some were singing in the weekly karaoke session.
Photographer: JIM DAVIS | FC
Plaque at the intake Center of Camillus House urges people to let go of fear and shame.
Finally, the brothers visited the intake center, with the dedicatory plaque inviting the homeless to "Abandon fear all who enter here; we offer you hope" � a turnabout on a phrase from Dante's "Inferno."
"St. John of God said that the first impression is the lasting impression � and there's nothing like a handshake and a smile," said Brother Howson, who accompanied the men on the tour.
"We also hug," said a smiling Fred Mims, director of Camillus' Direct Care Ministry.
This was the first time back in four years for Good Shepherd Brother Charles Searson, who is working at a food bank and soup kitchen in Wolverhampton, England.
"Very, very impressive," said Brother Searson, who worked in Miami for six years. "When I was here, Camillus House was at a cramped converted warehouse. We tried for more than 20 years to move, but we were held up by one thing or another."
He supported his fellow brothers in joining the Hospitaller Order. "It's a natural fit. It's like a return, rather than a merger."
The men chatted and joked as they made the rounds, mixing easily as professional colleagues. Many of them, in fact, have been friends for years and occasionally worked together.
Hospitaller Brother Gregory McCrory said he hosted four Good Shepherd Brothers from Miami last year at the Institute of Hospitality in Dublin, which he directs. "It was very enhancing. We were more structured; they were more free; but we had equivalent spirituality. (The merger) is a very sensible thing to do."
Paul Ahr drove home the point of the tour at the luncheon afterward: "I ask you all, in your prayers tonight, that God will bless Camillus House � which you will all be responsible for soon."
More than one brother noted that although the two orders were separate for decades, they shared a drive to serve the unfortunate. In fact, Brother Mathias Barrett, founder of the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd, was originally a member of the Hospitaller Brothers, commissioned by Pope Pius V in the 16th century to care for the ill.
St. John of God inspired his followers with simple sayings like "Do good to yourself by doing good to others." The order founded hospitals and hospices across Europe and beyond.
Brother Mathias, however, leaned more toward serving the poor, needy and homeless. Inspired by the work of activist Dorothy Day, he founded a separate order in 1951. The Good Shepherd Brothers set up ministries across the U.S. and Canada, including Camillus House in 1960.
During the last two decades, however, the order birthed hospitals as well, including Miami's Camillus Health. Meanwhile, the Hospitaller Brothers evolved toward providing social services. Eventually, both sides realized it made more sense to work together than separately.
"Brother Mathias was ahead of his time," said Brother Etayo, the superior of the Hospitallers. "We have worked more inside, not the street. We're both going after what the Church is asking us to do: Help the needy and suffering."
But the Good Shepherd Brothers will be the junior partner in the merger, their 27 members outnumbered by the 1,140 Hospitaller Brothers. And they will have to adapt to more formal management. To get something done at Camillus House nowadays takes just a phone call and a council meeting. Post-merger, some major decisions may need approval at the headquarters in Rome.
Brother Howson maintained that things will work out. "I believe this is God's will, or the transition wouldn't be going as well. And if Brother Mathias were alive, this is what he would be doing."
Hospitaller Brother Gabriel Monarch, from Apple Valley, Calif., echoed the sentiments. "Our charisms are so similar. It's going to work out beautifully."
Photographer: JIM DAVIS | FC
Camillus House runs a garden where residents can grow vegetables, which they can add to meals.
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