Skip to content
United In God's Work
  • Log In
  • User Login
  • Search

Food For The Poor

Donate Now
Give Monthly
  • Extreme Poverty
  • Malnutrition
  • Housing
  • Drinking Water
  • Vulnerable Children
  • Medical Care
  • Extreme Poverty
  • Malnutrition
  • Housing
  • Drinking Water
  • Vulnerable Children
  • Medical Care
Donate Now
Give Monthly

Sharing the Inspiring Story of the FFTP Clergy Speakers’ Family

June 14, 2022May 10, 2023 FFTP
Twenty FFTP Clergy Speakers stand in the prayer room at FFTP headquarters, during the Clergy Speakers Convocation.

Going to the annual Food For The Poor Clergy Speakers’ Convocation is like visiting family, like a spiritual retreat, like going to a continuing ed workshop.

Fr. Bob Karris sits in the prayer room at FFTP headquarters. He is speaking into a microphone.
Fr. Bob Karris at the Convocation.

We speakers have joined a family. As family we share stories. Recently I shared the story of an assignment I had in February. The huge sign outside the church announced, “We’re also open between Christmas and Easter!” I knocked on the door of the house next door, thinking it might be the rectory. An elderly lady answered the door and informed me that the rectory was halfway down the street. She continued, “As long as you’re here, help me phone my daughter. I need her help.” I gave her my phone, and she made her call, thanking God that he had sent me as an angel to assist her. The poor come in different shapes and at different times, don’t they?

As I hear stories from other members of my FFTP family, I’m inspired. I’m also inspired by our daily prayers together and our commissioning of new members of the family at the end of the Convocation, which was June 7-9. God has and will sustain us.

It will not surprise you that we senior citizen speakers need continuing education about how to make travel arrangements and other nuts and bolts aspects of our ministry. Sometimes we have to be told again and again. Are we getting old? As we say in the Midwest, ya betcha. But eventually we catch on and hang on to this wondrous ministry through thick and thin.

I end with a story of one of our most venerable speakers. After his sermon a lady told him, “Reverend, you have a golden tongue!” To which he asked, “Just like Saint Paul?” The lady paused and then remarked, “No, you weren’t that good!”

We speakers may not have St. Paul’s eloquence, but we strive to have his love of Jesus and the poor burning in our hearts. Please keep us in your daily prayers. We’ll remember you in ours.

Peace and all good,
Father Bob Karris, OFM

Fr. Karris holds a doctorate in New Testament Studies and Early Church History from Harvard University. He has 10 years of ecclesiastical administrative experience, having served the Franciscan community (OFM) as Provincial Minister and General Councilor. He has traveled to 42 countries.                                                                 

Read a press release about the FFTP Clergy Speakers’ Convocation.


Posted in Our Team
Tagged inspiration, mission, prayer, Speakers, Speakers Bureau

Blog For The Poor

Blog For The Poor showcases uplifting stories from the field, project updates and insights into Food For The Poor’s work throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Impact In Your Inbox

Thank you for joining FFTP!

Subscribe today to get inspiring stories sent directly to you.

SIGN UP
Number Example: 1234567890
SUBMIT

Recent Blog Posts

  • FFTP Celebrates Team Members During Hispanic Heritage Month
  • National Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrate Empowerment
  • How to Monitor For Success in Sustainable Development Communities
  • Sustainable Development: 4 Ways To Build Lives and a Better Future
  • How Partnerships Help Build Safe Housing
  • Supporting Impoverished Families Through Sustainable Housing Solutions

Popular Blog Tags

  • food for the poor
  • Haiti
  • children
  • poverty
  • housing
  • Guatemala

*ANIMAL HUSBANDRY: Food For The Poor has ongoing animal husbandry and apiary programs that support impoverished families and communities. The funds that are raised from animals and bees in this catalog are used to support the aforementioned programs.

**HOUSING: Because of the size and need of the average family, for $9,800, we build all houses with two bedrooms and a living area, sanitation and a water component, a cooking area, a sink, furnishings, lighting and structural elements to withstand severe weather conditions. You will receive a Certificate of Appreciation with a photograph of the family in front of their secure and comfortable home.

Food for The Poor
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Twitter
Linkedin

About Us

  • Why FFTP?
  • Mission and Vision
  • Leadership
  • Financial Information
  • Newsroom
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

Help Now

  • Give Monthly
  • Donate Now
  • Child Sponsorhip
  • Legacy and Gift Planning
  • Corporations and Foundations
  • Major Giving
  • Other Ways to Help

Our Work

  • Problems We Solve
  • Where We Serve
  • Your Impact
  • Donor Pledge
  • Projects
Faithful Stewards
BBB Accredited Charity
Platinum Transparency 2022 - Candid.

Food For The Poor is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Contributions are tax-deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Tax ID: #59-2174510

6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073 USA
800-487-1158
© 2023 Food For The Poor

  • Privacy Policy
  • Security
  • Fundraising Disclosures
  • FAQ
  • Site Map
  • Español