What would you like to know about St. Joan of Arc? Do you have a story about our parish or of general interest that you think others would like to hear? For story ideas, contact Jeff Rholl, jeff@stjoan.com.
| Preface I listened intently last Sunday when Father Wertin told us where Justice meets Spirituality, and I realized, 'I may not fully comprehend where it is but I know who it is.' And I thought of a man who sits quietly in the back of the church at 9:00 Mass and moves lightly down the aisle to communion, diffident, maybe a little shy. When he speaks it is in a soft voice, and some people say he mumbles a little, even when he's giving the homily. You'll hear his name when the people of St. Joan of Arc say the Litany of the Saints on November 1 and  he's prominent on the list of prophets when they are
read. He's self-effacing, maybe a little reserved, but when he has a dream
or a vision, he's unstoppable. He perseveres. Woody Allen says "90% of
success is just showing up." He shows up and shows up and can wear his way
through concrete or tempered steel. He's built an enterprise that changed
the face of urban housing in Minneapolis and through industries and a retail
store his agency established, provided jobs and training for hundreds. He
started a self-sufficiency program and training programs for low-income
people and bought and built and managed rental units for the same population.
He only works 60 hours a week now. That's his idea of being retired. He's got a new vision. It's the 1% Club. With persistence and perseverance he tells the wealthiest among us that they should be giving at least one percent of their net worth or five percent of their income, whichever is greater, annually, to the charities of their choice, charities that are providing assistance to those among us with the greatest need. The brochures are printed, tasteful, with the same excellence that marks all of his enterprises. And he's showing up -- at the Minneapolis Club for lunches, in the living rooms and at dining tables of the affluent, in corporate offices all over town, he is showing up. He's signed up 400 members. He aims for 2,000. And he'll wear them down. He'll make it happen. Lots of people in this town have stories they love to tell about him -- about the times he 'showed up' and won the day. Today, when I am moved by other people talking about justice and social action, I also think of him. That's what his stories are all about and have been for forty years. Here's my story about him. I wrote it in 1997. There is not a thing I would change, except to say that he suffered a heart attack and came back stronger, steadier, more energetic and freer of cholesterol than ever. Maybe he's a little better at enjoying life, taking some moments now and then for refreshing 'sabbath' -- maybe. But who he is and what he is about has not changed. It makes up the essence of Joe Selvaggio and his story. |
| "How Can I Help" ...an introduction to Joe Selvaggio |
One of the most dangerous things you can ever do is say to Joe Selvaggio, "How can I help you?" Finding ways to answer that question is how he built Project for Pride in Living into a multifaceted enterprise with a budget of ten million dollars annually.
I first met Joe in the late sixties. He was a young priest, newly
assigned to Holy Rosary parish, trying to start a drop-in center on Lake
Street.
At that first meeting I asked, all wide-eyed innocence, "How can I help you?"
And the next thing I knew I was out collecting lumber. Joe had a dream to build.
"How can I help you?" and the next thing I knew I was at a center on Lake Street trying to facilitate a discussion group of teen-age boys. As it turned out I was the only person in the group who didn't have a gun. But Joe trusted we could work it out -- and he had young lives to care for.
"How can I help you," and within a few weeks, he was standing in the pulpit of my suburban church, telling the people, in his diffident way, to get involved, get into the fray, mix it up and "ante up." Joe saw a city in crisis.
"How can I help you?" changed one day to "I can't help you." By this time, Joe had made the transition from the priesthood to his life of dedication as a lay person. He was counseling with young men who were suffering a crisis of conscience -- it was the Vietnam war years. I was married to a former Air Force B47 commander, and I was torn in my loyalties. Telling Joe "no" was a test for me, because I learned early in my family that to refuse support was tantamount to betrayal. With shaking hands and pounding heart I said, "Joe, I can't support you on this" and he said, "Oh, okay -- so do 'ya wanna have lunch?" And I thought, "so this is what unconditional love is like." Joe Selvaggio taught me.
I always wondered how Joe got so much done until one day I peeked at his
Schedule. Early morning until late at night he moved: from phone calls to
meetings, to award luncheons; from bankers to union leaders intent on
stopping a
project; to a formal dinner and a fund raiser -- and in between, bits and
snippets of time with folks. All a friend has to say is, "hey, I miss you,"
and
he'll pull his calendar out and say -- "when can we find a time that's good
for
you? How about coffee tomorrow at 7:00?" If they ever erect a statue to Joe
Selvaggio, it should depict him, standing, head bowed, a small appointment
book in his hand. That's how he makes room for all of it: for people and for
projects, for writing and dreams.
I read in an article that he can be irascible, demanding, tunnel-visioned
and that may be true. What I know about him is that he is a prophet, a
visionary, faithful to his vision,
faithful to his tasks -- and to his friends-from people with instant name
recognition, from power brokers to folks in the neighborhood, to folks like
me.
He remains faithful and finds time for all.
He's a mover of mountains, a theologically oriented thinker, a teller of raunchy stories, a political genius, a fund raiser par excellence; a feaster at the banquet of life.
But, I warn you. Don't say to Joe Selvaggio, "How can I help you?" unless
you're ready to have your life changed.
| Note: If someone wants to discuss joining or starting a One Percent Club somewhere, Joe Selvaggio can be reached at (612) 874- 8511, 2516 Chicago Avenue, Mpls.,MN 55404 or at (612) 823-2077 |
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