Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper
Winners of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development poster art contest in the San Francisco Archdiocese are John David Lorentz (left poster) and Olivia Galioto (artwork above). See story on page 8.
‘Gang members and the homeless are our friends’ By Tom Burke For Deacon Nate Bacon, his wife Jenny and others they’ve joined in ministry, it’s all about change – InnerChange, that is. The clergyman put it simply. “We are an ecumenical community of lay missionaries, both single and married, who seek to be a bridge from local parishes and churches to those on the margins.” A key to the work is “being there,” Deacon Bacon said in an e-mail conversation with Catholic San Francisco. “We live among those whom we serve, and seek to be ‘extended family’ to the homeless, to gang members, drug addicts, prostitutes, and all those whom society has cast aside.” John Hayes founded InnerChange in 1985, Deacon Bacon explained. Spurred by the comings and goings of many ministries for the poor, Hayes felt led by God to establish something more constant and began living among Cambodian refugees in Southern California. “Living simply, and sharing life with his neighbors, he ministered the love of Christ there, and was transformed by his own experience,” Deacon Bacon said. “Soon volunteers joined him, and in an organic, Spirit-led way, InnerChange was birthed.” A 1986 graduate of Stanford University, Deacon Bacon joined InnerChange in 1988 and became a
member of the Catholic Church in 1992, the same year he and Jenny married. He was ordained to the diaconate for the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1999. In addition to their InnerChange commitments, Deacon Bacon and Jenny minister at St. Peter Parish in San Francisco’s Mission District. “I am privileged to be a part of St. Peter’s which has such a rich heritage, and a strong tradition of social justice, dating back to Father Peter Yorke in the early 1900s,” he said. “We at InnerChange seek to be messengers of the hope of the Gospel in a way that can transform both individual lives as well as entire communities,” Deacon Bacon said. “Together with our friends on the margins, we organize for structural changes that promote justice, opportunity, and life, in a way that reflects the vision of the Kingdom of God.” Deacon Bacon, Jenny and their children — Gabriela, an eighth grader at St. Peter Elementary School and Nathanael, a kindergartner there — live in a San Francisco neighborhood Deacon Bacon calls “a DMZ between the two biggest warring gangs” in the City. InnerChange has been working with gang members for 14 years and has helped some 100 youth out of gangs, Deacon Bacon said.
“What distinguishes what we do are the friendships and relationships we develop,” Deacon Bacon said. “We minister as community, and help create community. Gang members and the homeless are our friends. They are in and out of our homes, hang out with our families, and are truly a part of our lives. We have been privileged to see many such young people find their way to a deeper faith, as well as establishing new foundations by forming their own healthy families, finding careers, and even purchasing their own homes.” As InnerChange directors in San Francisco, Deacon Bacon and Jenny are busy with administrative duties but “still keep a heavy hand in the work.” Jenny oversees Casa San Dimas, a transitional home for youth. “Casa San Dimas grew out of our taking children into our homes,” Deacon Bacon said. “These are kids with no family who have slipped through the cracks. We provide family and support.” The Bacon family plans to spend the summer in Guatemala. They will be involved in training new InnerChange leadership there, but also, added Deacon Bacon, “We will certainly lend a hand in the work.” Among the people helped in Guatemala are youth called “shoeshine boys” who work for penOUR FRIENDS, page 18
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Columnists. . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ‘Rosary Bowl’ . . . . . . . . . . 15 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Church of the Visitacion continues centennial year
State legislators hear from Catholics during ninth Lobby Day
Bay Area prelates initiated as Knights of Peter Claver
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . 18-19
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www.catholic-sf.org
May 4, 2007
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Travel directory. . . . . . . . . 20
VOLUME 9
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No. 15