For the past 133 years, Holy Rosary Parish has been a beacon of hope and companionship in the long-troubled neighborhood of Gate City in Birmingham, Alabama. Holy Rosary stands out in an area of run-down buildings and abandoned playgrounds. This faith community’s love for God is matched only by their devotion to the well-being of their neighbors.
Today, the small but vibrant parish, made up of just 40 people, manages to accomplish impressive feats for such a humble operation.
Its food pantry, located between the church and several blocks of housing, feeds more than 800 people a month. It’s one of the only places in the community that distributes life-sustaining groceries.
The parish’s soccer program instills teamwork and confidence among youth, keeping them away from dangerous influences that can lead them down destructive paths.
Now, as inflation has made basic necessities unaffordable for those with the least, the neighborhood is relying on this outpost of faith and love more than ever.
Spiritual nourishment
Holy Rosary’s new food pantry building is equipped with a cooler and walk-in refrigerator. Boxes of donated food are stacked neatly around the room, the goods a sign of their spiritual vitality as a parish.
A crucifix hangs above these supplies—reminding these volunteers that the face on the cross is reflected in each person who comes to them for food. So, too, a banner of a eucharistic monstrance—a reminder that the God who feeds us with His body calls His disciples to “feed His lambs.”
Mike Geerts, a long-time parishioner of Holy Rosary, leads the food pantry. He is steeped in its spiritual traditions, which sustain him as he brings nourishment to the masses. His ever-present, bright smile motivates those around him.
Geerts emphasized that the mission is about “seeing Christ in the people, them seeing Christ in us, them leaving happy and knowing that somebody cares for them.”
According to Geerts, demand has grown in the past three years such that they are distributing an extra ton of food per week. About 75 percent of registered clients return for food a second time, up from 50 percent.
Food is sourced from area store chains like Publix, Walmart, Dollar General and the church’s community garden. Despite rising needs, the joyful spirit of the pantry’s 50 volunteers keeps it running.
Clemencia Robledo is among these hardworking individuals. She takes trips to grocery stores to bring food back to the pantry.
Faith and community will bring them food in their belly first, and then in their soul.”
She continued,
“You cannot use anything in your body, not even your mind or spirit, if your belly is not fed.”
She added,
“Sometimes people say there’s no need for churches, but I think if there’s not God, there’s emptiness. The Catholic Church does a lot of work in silence.”
Transforming community
Coach Allen Murphy, a perennial pantry presence, spent most of his youth in a low-income area of Birmingham. After playing basketball for several years—collegiately for the Louisville Cardinals and briefly in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers—he returned to Birmingham and led athletic and academic programs for youth at Holy Rosary before retiring.
Today, children and teens can engage in healthy and safe sports through Holy Rosary’s soccer program and hear advice from role models like Murphy. Holy Rosary also intends to reinstitute its reading program, led by retired teachers. Recent state education data reveals that 5,000 third graders in Alabama could be held back due to poor reading skills.
Mothers have thanked Coach Murphy over the years for helping their children succeed. His own upbringing has moved him to provide youth with a safe environment to develop positive behaviors and skills.
“My last 20 years at Holy Rosary gave me the excitement I needed in life,” he said.
Below, some youth from the soccer program joyfully greet the parish pastor, Father Eric Gami.
Many young people in Gate City who grew up attending Holy Rosary programs now have fulfilling jobs and lives. One woman works for the health department in Birmingham. Another woman, who participated in the parish’s soccer program, now manages NorthStar Soccer Ministries, an organization that uses soccer to instill self-confidence and social skills in youth in Birmingham.
Believing in a better future
Holy Rosary demonstrates how a faith community can transform an entire town or neighborhood. The spiritually full feed the hungry in body and spirit.
Cassandra Palmer, who volunteers with intake and recordkeeping, said, “I know I can’t help everybody, but it gives me joy to be able to help somebody.”
She continued,
I feel that God uses us to reveal His ability to provide for creation.”
Tracy Bragg, another volunteer, summed it up. “This community is a glimpse of God’s kingdom. You can see the sincerity and goodness of each person.”
Catholic Extension Society is honored to share the story of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, a finalist for our Lumen Christi Award. This award is our highest honor given to people who radiate and reveal the light of Christ present in the communities where they serve. Visit this page to read the other inspiring stories from this year’s finalists.
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