Have you ever wondered how a family of 21 gets to daily Mass, or what mealtime looks like?
The House
As you can imagine, it takes more than your normal suburban house to make a home for a family of over twenty! God truly blessed the searching when John and Donna met with the owner of this property located just outside of Coatesville. At one time it was a school, at another time an assisted living residence, and now it is both school and home for St. Joseph's House and their ministries. Sitting on about 13 acres, the property consists of one large residence for the Kurtz family, two smaller residences for families in transition being assisted by St. Joseph's House, a large building that houses St. Philomena Academy, and a historic log cabin. The property also contains a barn, and a shed or two, as well as a large vegetable garden and poultry pen.
The Bus
What do you get with a family that loves to travel and attend daily Mass, but that happens to have 21 children? You get a father with a commercial driver's license and a very large family bus. Not only does St. Joseph's House need a bus for all the children, but they also have the special need of requiring wheel chair access and transportation for one of the young girls. It hasn't always been easy to get around, but over the years they have made due with an old 15 passenger van nicknamed "Tuna", since they were packed in like tuna in a can, as well as donated cars, and other buses that worked and others that worked when they wanted to!
Mealtime
Having lived with the Kurtz family for some time, I can tell you that mealtime is quite impressive. They can make a meal out of almost anything, and usually do. From donated bread picked up weekly at the local grocery store, to the occasionally donated venison, St. Joseph's House is sustained through frugality and the loving donations of kind souls. I can recall one time that an elderly italian woman from south Philly donated a fresh, homemade cheesecake...who would have thought that cheesecake would make such a great breakfast food! You can imagine that, as the boys in this wonderful family grow, the need to stock the pantry, walk-in freezer, and the walk-in refrigerator, grow...grow...grow! Just picture sandwiches for 21 kids, or the meal on Christmas...it is truly mind-boggling!
Prayer Time and the Holy Mass
As the central kingpin of the entire day, Holy Mass is the source and summit of everything that St. Joseph's House is about. SJH is committed to daily attendance of Holy Mass as well as praying the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet every day. Adoration and personal scripture time also round out the spiritual routine in a way that is most surprising for such a large family. Sometimes families with 3 or 4 children complain of not enough time for prayer and spiritual activities, but as John and Donna would be only too quick to admit...you can't raise 21 without a strong and committed prayer life!
Play Time and Recreation
As with any ministry involving children, play and recreation are important to SJH. From the pool behind the house, to time playing ball in the yard, the children have many a chance to exercise their bodies when not flexing their spiritual or mental muscles. Chores are a big part of making St. Joseph's House work and also in this way, the kids are able to grow in "mind and body" by helping John to tend to the grounds, chop wood for heating the large facility in the winter, helping with the garden and poultry, and helping to maintain and remodel the buildings when needed.
Homeschooling and St. Philomena's Academy
When John and Donna began homeschooling their first couple of children, I don't think they ever envisioned opening a free, homeschool /dayschool hybrid academy for nearly 100 children! But then again, who really plans out the will of God!? With Donna's experience in teaching and the willingness of all the parents involved, St. Philomena's Academy was started some years ago and has greatly helped the schooling of the Kurtz children as well as the families attending. Both John and Donna dedicate endless hours making SPA function as well as teaching in the classroom twice a week, oftentimes with a baby strapped to one of their backs. And how do you keep all these minds on what is "true, good, and beautiful?" Well, you have your very own library of excellent classic books and movies. Over the years, SJH has been able to gather an extensive library of great classic literature, Catholic apologetics, children's books, and family-friendly movies.
Holidays
Birthdays, Saint's days, Christmas, Easter, Good Friday...how do you celebrate them in your home? Now imagine having 23 birthdays to celebrate every year, along with 23 stockings hung over the fireplace at Christmas! Of, course, this can only happen in an orderly home dedicated to Christ. By living simply, SJH has been able to bless these children with all the necessities of life and quite a few non-necessities..."presents!" Many donors have made sure that no SJH child will ever be in want for a present on their birthday or Christmas. That being said, when the spirit of Christ pervades all such celebrations, no child ever whines because they didn't get what they asked for, and selfishness has no place. All the children are truly grateful for the greatest gift they can receive...Christ Himself!
Friends
Friends to SJH become spiritual friends in the greatest sense. Many are priests, religious, seminarians, and missionaries. Some visit SJH for the benefits of spending time with such wonderful kids......Others come to give of themselves.......and all become "friends."
