Fr. G!

{Fr. Greg Boyle}

{not to brag, but I see this amazing mural everyday on my bike ride to work... pretty inspirational}

Two weeks ago (I'm really really behind on posting!), we went to hear Fr. Greg Boyle speak at USC as part of his book tour for Tattoos on the Heart.  After reading his book (G-Dog and the Homeboys) about building up the Boyle Heights community through Dolores Mission, establishing Homeboy Industries, and his time as the head pastor of DM, one of my goals for the year was to meet this amazing Jesuit.  He's basically a celebrity in the Jesuit world and so needless to say, I was super excited to see him.  Following the talk, Fr. G. came over and talked to the group of LA JVs who came since one of the JVs, Kara, works at Homeboy as a case manager.  We got kicked out of the auditorium for cleaning, so he took us all out for beers at one of the USC bars.  It was amazing to see how down to earth he is and how much he really cares for people.  Fame definitely has not gone to his head!  Now I just need to go to one of his masses on Wednesday nights at DM and maybe we can get invited over for dinner at the DM Jesuits' house!

ps- if anyone wants to come visit, I will definitely take you to Homegirl Cafe - an amazing restaurant where all the employees are former gang members or people closely intertwined with the gang culture.  And, right now, all the artwork in the Cafe is the work of the DM secretary, Espie Munoz, and her partner.  Sweet!

 

{LA JVs and Fr. G!   btw, notice my highlighter pink shorts!}

{Images via: Fr. G, Homeboy mural, last one-Colleen- thanks!}