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WELCOME TO " CASA SERENA "

" Casa Serena" is meant to be the house of God ( Beth-el ) - the house of peace.

Those who come to live here are not anybody.....but God's children. All must therefore live and behave like God's children. All have a dignity of their own. Because they are poor for whatever reasons, does not mean that they have lost their dignity as human beings. Even when they possess nothing, and they have no one to belong to, all alone, poor and lonely, they are still God's children, loved and cared by our heavenly Father. Let us then with all the powers and fibers of our being try to maintain the dignity of every human person, safeguard his nobility. As children of God we are meant to be noble and royal; our behaviour, our manner of speech, our daily life and action must point out to this wonderful aspect.

O man, become what you are! O man realise your human dignity!

O man, understand your nobility as child of God; from whom you have come, for and in Him you live, to Him you return. Your social status, your present condition in life is accidental. Please do not lose your human dignity simply because you happened to be poor, homeless or penniless.

Now you have a home! as long as you are here you must feel that it is your home; you must try your best to make it so. All who come to live, stay or serve are all brothers and sisters, children of the same Heavenly Father.Differences of nationalities, colour or religion do not mean that we have to be strangers to one another. We will have no preferences based on colour, nationality or religion; our criterion will be based on the need. Let us not fight or argue on this point. Instead let love and charity peace and joy reign in our house. Let us respect everyone, recognise everyone's presence, everyone's needs and requirements. No matter what colour the cow is, white or black, brown or mixed, the milk is always white. We can be of different colours and nationalities, but basically we are all the same, all have the same needs, all have the same immortal soul as well. Let us love and respect each other.

Ours is a house of peace and joy; not a house of fighters. We do not need policemen around us, as we are men of reason and behave normally. Let us try our best to keep our house a home of love!

The following are some of the norms for those who come to stay and for the volunteers who come to serve:

1. Our house known as "Casa Serena" is a night shelter for the poorest of the poor of whatever nationality, colour or religion, under the direction of the Missionaries of Charity of Via St. Agapito,8 - Rome.

2. It is run in collaboration with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Lay Missionaries of Charity, Co-workers, Volunteers of the Night Ministry teams and any other person of good will and generosity.

3. Casa Serena is not a place for very young people even though they may be poor.

It is not a place for the very sick people as it is not a hospital.

It is not a house for the drug addicts nor Aids patients, however urgent and real their needs can be.

It is not a home for the aged although they too may be in need of a suitable place to stay.

It is not a home for the ladies, as we do not have the possibilities to take care of them.

It is not a home for the mentally handicapped, although we may shelter the physically handicapped or crippled homeless people.

4. Casa Serena is a night shelter for older homeless men of the street, who are unable to find a home for themselves due to financial difficulties or physical disabilities.

5. Casa Serena will depend entirely on divine providence for all its needs: that is whatever donations made by all men and women of good will and generosity in cash or in kind, without being anxious about tomorrow. ( Mt. 6: 25-34 - Trust in divine providence )

6. RELIGIOUS ASPECT

Although we do not make any distinctions based on colour, nationality or religion, we will have full freedom to conduct and organise Holy Masses, prayers, etc. without forcing any one to take part in it., but inviting all to attend or at least to respect it. It is God's work we are doing and God's people we are serving. As God's children we are bound to acknowledge Him and thank Him for His loving and tender care. Hence:

Every day:some prayers before and after meals - reflections, songs etc.

Every Sunday: Holy Mass.

Besides all are invited to participate other religious functions that are held in the Holy Family Chapel.

Once a month: few hours of sharing together with the volunteers.

Once in six months: pilgrimage - picnic.

Patronal Feasts: Our Lady of Peace - 2nd Sunday in October ( inmates ).

Volunteers Feast: Our Lady of Visitation - Last Sunday of May

7. DISCIPLINARY RULES

1) NO smoking nor drinking is permitted inside the building or the premises at any time.

2) Those who have the habit of smoking may do so elsewhere.

3) NO ONE is allowed to bring any sorts of alcoholic beverages. Whoever transgresses or disrespects these rules and regulations may be asked to leave there and then.

4) It is the duty of all to keep our house and its surroundings meticulously clean and tidy. It is the house of God and the home of love and peace.

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when Brothers dwell in unity!" (Ps. 133/1)

8. VOLUNTEERS AND HELPERS

They too have basically the same rules to follow. They come to give whole-hearted free service to their needy brothers.The volunteers need to be firm and kind. Please do not too easily make exception to our regulations without consulting the person in charge.The volunteers do not have "ipso facto " right to take in or to send away people from the home without referring the matter to the person in charge. They also have to follow the rules of not smoking and drinking inside the building or the premises. No volunteer is ever allowed to give personal gifts to the inmates. Any gifts or donations must always pass through the director.The various groups and teams meet together every third Saturday of each month to pray, to reflect, to discuss and share together matters pertaining the running of Casa Serena - the current problems, possible improvements, modifications, adjustments etc. can be and are to be made within the limits of our spirit, purpose and charism.

Everyone is meant to give good example in every way...to uplift the morale. To do God's work with great love and fidelity we need special graces. We ask for it every day: " Make us worthy Lord, to serve these our fellowmen who are homeless and hungry....Give them through our hands this day their daily bread and by our understanding love give peace and joy."

We must try to build up a community that is not motivated by possessiveness, pride and power, but by love for one another. May peace reign in our walls, in our hearts and among the poorest of the poor whom we are called to serve.Let there be peace in Casa Serena and let it begin with me.

Mary Queen of Peace, bless Casa Serena!

COMING BACK TIME: from 5 00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

The people are asked to come in only from the gate of the Chapel upstairs.

Those who come back after 5.30 p.m. have no right to eat and sleep.

The daily Rosary starts at 5.30 p.m. for all people in CASA SERENA.

The people are invited to participate to all religious celebrations.

The people will have a reasonable personal cupboard where to keep their pesonal clothes. It is not allowed to leave any clothes hanging on chairs or shoes under the beds.

Fr. Sebastian M.C.