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Of Note:

At 50, Camillus Flame Still Burns Bright

January 19, 2010

by Dr. Paul R. Ahr

Remarks of Paul R. Ahr, Ph.D. Camillus House President and CEO
50th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration
January 19, 2010

August 1960 was the middle of the long night of separation from country, family and friends for los exiliados de Cuba.

It was then that a small-framed Irishman came from Albuquerque to assist the Diocese of Miami address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the exiles congregating along the banks of the Biscayne Bay, mere blocks from where we are today at Gesu Catholic church. In the midst of this darkness, Brother Mathias Barrett lit a candle that still burns brightly today. That candle is Camillus House.

Neither priest, nor politician nor potentate, this humble Brother of the Good Shepherd challenged, cajoled and convinced Bishops, Mayors and magnates to help him – and all of us – follow this simple call of the Gospels: Whatever you do for these, the least of my brothers and sisters you do for Me.

He was a story teller, dream weaver, and candle lighter, and today we – the Miami community – say to Brother Mathias and the Brothers of the Good Shepherd: thanks for coming to us, working with us and caring for us for the past 50 years.

In November 1962, upon learning of her death, Adlai Stevenson said of Eleanor Roosevelt, “She would rather light a candle than curse the darkness and her glow has warmed the world.”

For the past half century, the glow generated by the Brothers of the Good Shepherd has warmed this city and the worlds of thousands of men, women and children who have been poor and homeless in Miami.

As Camillus House marks 50 years of service to our neighbors in need, we stop for a moment to say thank you for the mission and work of the Brothers of the Good Shepherd – and to all friends who have shared in and contributed to their vision of a community where the least of our brothers and sisters are not forgotten. May your glow warm us as long as the poor are with us.