Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria hosted its annual “Homeless
for a Night Campout” on the church grounds Nov. 23. Despite rain, more than 50
participants joined the campout to raise awareness for homelessness, building
shelters out of cardboard and sleeping on the ground.
Participants were given a presentation on Catholic Charities
Christ House in Alexandria that ministers to 14 homeless men, and were provided
a meal similar to the dinner Christ House serves to the homeless population
every night.
“The annual ‘Homeless for a Night Campout’ gives all
parishioners, and especially our youth, an opportunity to be in solidarity with
people who are homeless,” said Father Thomas P. Ferguson, pastor of Good
Shepherd and diocesan vicar general. “Those who camp out literally feel the
pain of a cold and damp dark night, and parishioners who see the camp on the
way into church are moved to be ever more generous in providing food, clothing
and shelter for those who are homeless in our community.”
