I spent Saturday morning in Sedamsville, an Ohio River-hugging neighborhood just west of downtown Cincinnati. The cause was, quite frankly, one of the most meaningful I’ve ever been a (very small) part of.
I was there for a volunteer day with the Serenelli Project. The project’s mission is to serve men who are coming out of prison or who have a criminal history but seek to live a Catholic life.
It was founded by Marty Arlinghaus, who heads up the prison ministry program for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. During one of his prison visits, he was ministering to a man who had found Christ while incarcerated and asked, “Could someone like me be a priest?”
He didn’t have an answer then, but took that inspiration to start the Serenelli Project (named after the man who stabbed – and was forgiven by – St. Maria Goretti before she died from her wounds). His organization purchased a home in the Sedamsville neighborhood to serve as the monastic home for anyone who wants to follow Alessandro Serenelli’s path from a life of crime to one serving the Lord.
Work continues on the home that will be the monastery. We were there Saturday for general clean-up around the home and throughout the Sedamsville community. I plan to join the long-term volunteers again next month and into the future.
It was a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week.
Photos: The St. Maria Goretti Chapel; the home from Delhi Avenue; the former Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, which the organization hopes to purchase; volunteers during Saturday’s clean-up.
52 Masses 