Updated 15th April 2020

The Father McKenna Center has modified its programs and services in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Our response is principally guided by our commitment to our mission of service to Fr. Horace McKenna’s “flock,” and our focus is always on the safety and dignity of the people we serve. We are following the guidelines established by the DC Department of Human Services and the Stay at Home order issued by Mayor Bowser.

The Board of Directors of The Father McKenna Center has authorized us to take the steps outlined below. In these challenging times with fast-evolving information and guidelines, we have made a number of changes to our programs.  This page will be regularly reviewed, and date stamped to ensure accurate and timely information.

• Greg Gannon Food Pantry

We continue to serve our regular Food Pantry clients, with a modified approach to ensure we balance nutrition, safety, and dignity. The Food Pantry is open from 10:45 – 11:50 Monday through Friday. Food Pantry patrons can access the pantry twice each month (every 14 days).

We are accepting new applicants to the program. Applicants must be residents of Ward 6 and should bring valid picture ID, proof of residence (lease, mortgage, utility bill), and proof of income (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI statement).

• Hypothermia Program

The Hypothermia Program is continuing as a 24-hour service for the men currently taking part.  We continue to provide a safe and structured environment for the men in the program, but are not accepting new applicants at this time.

• Food Hub

We are serving as a Community Food Hub Distribution Point, in partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank.

Any DC Resident with ID can collect groceries as often as needed from our pop-up Food Hub at 900 North Capitol Street, NW, in front of St. Aloysius Church on the Campus of Gonzaga High School. We are open Monday through Thursday, 1:30 to 2:30 pm.

Grocery bags usually include:  9 – 11 canned foods (vegetables, soup, fruit), peanut butter, and dried foods (rice or pasta, beans), as well as produce when available from the CAFB.

• Day Program

The Day Program will be closed until further notice. The District of Columbia has closed its day shelters and the night shelters are remaining open 24/7 for residents. The city is also preparing stand-up meal stations for people who do not wish to engage with the shelter system. These measures are all designed to improve social distancing and reduce social contacts.  You can learn more about the District’s response here. 

• Volunteers

We will not be accepting in-person volunteers until further notice.

• Immersion Service Learning

Immersion programs have been suspended until further notice.

We appreciate your support during this challenging time.

3rd Annual “Walk for McKenna”

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Most days during his nearly 30-year ministry at St. Aloysius Parish, Fr. Horace McKenna, SJ would walk through the neighborhood meeting and greeting his flock. He was often asked for advice and for help (financial and otherwise), and he always tried to meet his supplicants’ needs, whether for food, rent money, transportation funds or other real needs.

“You can’t talk to a person about his or her soul if that person has no food.”

The Father McKenna Center today follows in Fr. McKenna’s footsteps, serving people who are poor and marginalized, offering tangible assistance while seeking to treat those who rely on us with dignity and respect.

On Saturday, September 14 supporters of The Father McKenna Center will literally follow in his footsteps, walking the same streets that Fr. McKenna patrolled while helping his flock. The Walk for McKenna is a 5K (3.25 mile) walk through the neighborhood, helping raise funds for the Center and raising awareness of the need among our brothers and sisters who live in our community.

Sponsoring the Walk

We are looking for companies and individual sponsors of the Walk. For more information about sponsoring, please click one of the following links:

• Download a paper form.
• Fill out the form online.

Location: Begin on the Eye Street Esplanade at Gonzaga College HS
Registration: $30.00 per participant
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/3rdAnnualWalk
What you receive: Commemorative t-shirt; continental breakfast after the Walk;
The great feeling of supporting The Father McKenna Center
Parking is available in the Gonzaga parking structure (enter from 1st & I St NW)

Check-in opens at 8:00 am
The Walk will step off at 8:45 am
Continental Breakfast 9:30 to 10:15 am

 

Lessons and Carols

On the evening of December 20^th, 2018 the great church of St. Aloysius rang with the sounds and songs of Lessons & Carols.   This service of nine readings and nine carols is a tradition that began in England in 1918 to celebrate Christmas.  Last Thursday the celebration was led by a choir of men from the Day Program at The Father McKenna Center who are struggling with or have conquered homelessness.  The McKenna Center Singers have been practicing for 10 weeks, under the direction of Rev. Phil Ganir, SJ.   They were joined by The Least of These Gospel Choir from Holy Redeemer Church.

Over one hundred people enjoyed the prayerful service, and most of them plan to attend next year.  The greatest measure of success, however, is the pride that The McKenna Center Singers felt.  “I never knew that I could sing in front of people like that,” said Eric S.  “It was great to be part of the group.”

 

 

 

 

Music included traditional carols such as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Once in Royal David’s City,” as well as the traditional spiritual “Yield Not to Temptation” and the more recent “I Will Get There.”  The Least of These Gospel Choir shared a particularly powerful rendition of “Mary Did You Know?”

 

 

After the service, Conductor Rev. Phil Ganir, SJ from the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Jesuit Community said, “My deepest consolation was seeing how the McKenna men made this century-old prayer service their own.  Hearing them sing their faith made my Christmas extra special.”

We thank all of our readers:

Mr. Mark Emery, Gonzaga College High School

Mrs. Cathy Fox, Gonzaga Mothers Club

Rev. Mr. Willis Daniels, Deacon, Holy Redeemer Parish

Ms. Analise Brower, Washington Jesuit Academy

Rev. Ron Anton, SJ, Georgetown Jesuit Community

Sr. Lisa Buscher, RSCJ, Contemplative Leaders in Action

Mrs. Tania Chomiak-Salvi, Holy Trinity Parish

Mr. Patrick Gaul, Georgetown Preparatory School – class of 2020

Mr. Gerry Nolan, The Father McKenna Center Board of Directors

 

Please join us on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 for the Second Annual Lessons & Carols!