“I am blessed to be able to work here”

“A faith without giving, a faith without gratuitousness, is an incomplete faith,” said Pope Francis in 2021. Thus, respecting life means life in all forms, in all stages – which includes caring for those who are in need. In Corpus Christi, since 2001, the Mother Teresa Shelter has helped those experiencing homelessness or who don’t have the means to put food on the table.
 
Sr. Rency Moonjely, SABS, is the shelter’s director. Her days start at 7 am: “We open the doors, our clients can use the restrooms, and then we serve breakfast from 8 to 9 am,” she shares. At 9 am, they open the main building where the clients can shower, put their belongings in a locker, and wash their clothes once a week.
 
“They also can give our address to receive mail,” explains Sr. Rency. There are caseworkers who try to assess their situation: some need work, others an apartment, and others cannot keep a job, as hard as they try: “Many of them are struggling with depression or other mental illnesses,” says the sister. In those cases, it won’t work when people say, “They just should get a job and work.” And the downward spiral can be fast – “they lose their job, then their home – or they get divorced and have no support anymore.” Each client has their own story.
 
The service that Sister Rency, her staff and the volunteers provide goes way beyond food and service: “We can give them our presence.” In many cases, they are the community and family of their clients.
 
Lunch is always provided by donations, with the help of many volunteers. Today, a group from the Good Shepherd – Episcopal Church is preparing pizza, salad and fruits. Most of them come every Wednesday. “I really like volunteering here – it is something needed, and the clients are so thankful.”
 
Edward “Eddie” Rodriguez has come for 15 years to work in the kitchen. “I came every day before work and helped.” Since he retired from Southwest Airlines Ground Services, he has been a staff cook who helps coordinate the daily meals. “I am gifted with this talent to do this.”
 Sr. Rency says they also challenge her: “One day, I was busy, and a man said to me, ‘Sr. Rency, what happened? Where is your smile?’ I immediately turned around and greeted him.” She adds, “I am blessed working here. When people ask me, ‘Why are you doing this?’ they don’t understand their lives. I invite them to come over and talk to our people.”
 
For her, it is “my call” inside her vocation as a Sister of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. At the day shelter, she encounters Jesus in her neighbors every day. To her, respecting life means giving her life every day to her people: “They need food and clothes, but first of all, they need more love and care.”