Join us in a time of prayer and discernment about whether to become a PADS homeless shelter site.

"Give us discernment that we may keep your law and observe it with our whole heart. Lead us in the path of your commandments, for we delight in them. Turn our hearts to your decrees, and not to selfish gain." (Psalm 119:34,35,37)

Over the next few months, our parish community (including the parish council, staff and commissions) will be engaged in a conversation exploring the possibility of becoming a site for an overnight shelter for the homeless one night a week from October through May as part of the interim housing program of DuPage PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter.) Our parishioners have volunteered at PADS shelters for over 18 years and there currently is a need for more congregations to host PADS sites in this part of DuPage County. We have been asked to consider becoming a site. The tentative timeline for making this decision is as follows:

• RECENTLY COMPLETED: Meetings with those parish commission most effected by the possibility of hosting a PADS site to hear concerns and questions.
• RECENTLY COMPLETED: Publishing a series of three bulletin inserts explaining issues related to becoming a PADS site (i.e. Are there homeless people in DuPage County?, What is DuPage PADS?, What would it mean to become a PADS site?) Copies of these inserts can be accessed below under "Resources for Study and Discernment."
• MARCH: Publish a special bulletin insert listing and addressing questions and concerns related to becoming a PADS site.
• APRIL 29: Special Parish Town Hall meeting to discuss the possibility of becoming a PADS site.
• JUNE 3: Parish Council vote on whether to become a PADS site.

If the parish decides to become a PADS site. We would begin offering hospitality in October, 2008.

In addition to the parish town hall meeting we have made the following e-mail address available for you to send us your questions and comments: Feel free to also send your written comments to PADS Discernment, St. Margaret Mary Parish, 1450 Green Trails Dr. Naperville, IL 60540.

RESOURCE FOR STUDY AND DISCERNMENT:

Are there homeless in DuPage County?

What is DuPage PADS?

What would it mean to become a PADS site?

Addressing concerns regarding a PADS site

For more information about our current PADS ministry, please visit our PADS webpage.

Keep watching this webpage for additional updates and resources.