Compassion, Hope, and Mutuality

      In Anaheim, Calif. at the peak of tension between community and police a blessing was sent upon the community of Anaheim Hills. Days of rioting and protests had put the citizens in a state of uncertainty. Father Boyle spoke to an audience at San Antonio Catholic Church, the audience large, mostly caucasian, the atmosphere had a collective vibe. It starts off with a potluck type dinner which is what probably fostered the communal spirit.

     Father Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries. But before his plan for homies (former gang members) took off he spent 20+ years at the Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights. It sits in the area between two public housing projects, with the most concentrated gang activity west of the Mississippi River. 

      He transformed the church into a parish that accepted the good and the bad. It opened the doors to those  who needed God the most, those who have no hope, those who have been tortured, those who have a lack of unconditional love. He brought compassion back into their lives through God, through family, through praise. 
      He made them feel a sense of worth again, when so many of the homies and homegirls had toxic relationships back at their homes, he supplied a safe house where they knew they were accepted and loved.
     Back to the Church in Anaheim Hills, he shows up in an outfit that gives off the appearance of say a mechanic, his outfit is collared stripped shirt with navy blue pants and his face looks sweaty as if he just came up from underneath a car's hood. I guess I expected a man in robe or slacks with a shirt but that is not him. Boyle is exactly how he dresses, honest, practical and earnest.

      As he starts to speak though you realize this man has gone through a lot and those he has helped have left a bigger effect on him. He realizes life is about mutuality, its not his job to save them but to guide them. 
      He doesn't want to legitimize the bad they have done by telling them they can be redeemed, he praises the good they do by offering them one thing, a job. A job is all they want and once they can provide for themselves they provide the room in their hearts for God.

     I share with you my favorite story at the speech where he talks about a homie named Mario.
                                                       [[Father Boyle Story about Mario]] 
     After his speech, I had the opportunity to meet Father Boyle where he signed my copy of his book Tattoos on The Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. It is one of my favorite books.