Sister Rose Tillemans of the Sisters of St. Joseph created the Peace House Community on October 17, 1985 as a place of hospitality and sharing. Peace House - "A Place To Belong" - is an open place that welcomes everyone. "We are a listening presence for those who have no one to listen to them." Every Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm, the doors are open to those who are looking for friendship, a chance to talk and listen, to share meditation and a light lunch together. At 11:30 the doors are closed for a period of meditation/discussion and light lunch following prayer. At 12:45 the doors are re-opened for an afternoon of conversation and sharing.
Shirley and Harry Kaiser are special friends to the Peace House Community. Every Monday through Friday for the last 20 years or more, Shirley and Harry have been collecting sweets and breads and bringing them to Peace House to serve with coffee while people talk together. Augsburg College of Minneapolis is also a special friend. Through their campus wide programs Campus Kitchen, they provide a meal for Peace House every Thursday.
Sister Rose Tillemans
Rose
Tillemans was born in Minneota, Minnesota in 1923, graduated from the
College of
St. Catherine in 1945 and became a Sister
of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Rose worked as a teacher and
librarian for 24 years and then began to manage the Free
Store in Minneapolis for 10 years (1974-1984). Through
all
of this she had a dream; a dream of a violence-free-center, a place
where people from the streets could find refuge from the storms of
poverty, alcoholism and mental illness that swirl around them by
talking and listening to one another and people who would like to hear
their stories and provide encouragement.
This dream was the beginning of Peace House. On October 17, 1985 Peace House was established on Franklin Avenue. Rose hoped that Peace House would express Margaret Mead's words: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
At first, there weren't a lot of people who came to Peace House.
People were afraid of the neighborhood. Then people started coming and staying.
As one man explained, 'he didn't keep coming back for a place to
sleep or coffee or a meal or free clothing. He came back for an
unexpectedly spiritual dividend, the recognition of his humanity.'
They came -- and they come...people who are lonely, homeless, and mentally ill or who have addictions. They come for a place to be in community with people who understand and do not judge. What all receive at Peace House is acceptance.
One woman said "I think Rose was like Jesus would be if he came today. He wouldn't be downtown with the big, powerful people. He'd be here."
Peace House became a place to answer the seldom-looked-at questions of what do the poor and disadvantaged do after they have some food, clothing, and shelter. Peace House is a place that follows the deeper call of the Gospel to renew and restore human dignity and well being to the poor who struggle to live in the Phillips neighborhood.
Five days a week, everyone is welcomed, affirmed, listened to, laughed with, valued and empowered to explore the hidden spiritual dimensions of their lives. A meditation time gives a platform for people whose voices are disregarded.
Many days end with a dance, because Rose loved to dance. One thing she didn't like was to be called 'Sister' Rose, but it was sometimes important for people on the streets and donors for her to be known as Sister Rose. Sometimes people feel comforted by the idea that if a Sister listens to them then God is listening as well. At Peace House we believe that everyone carries God inside and greets the other from that God-centered place.
Over the years that Peace House grew Rose would say all sorts of things that were helpful to the people who came through the doors like:
“Remember the beautiful person that you are. Forget the names you've been called”
“I like to listen to the wisdom of the people who come here—wisdom from struggle, pain, insecurity, sickness, homelessness.”
“The best way to change society is to listen to voices – it's the affirmation of each persons' voice. People here are very bright—they've had tough bounces”
“I learn so much from people who've survived the difficult system”
“I look benevolently on the people I encounter and do not have expectations that they will think like I do. I don't teach or proselytize, The Church has done a number on poor people and there is no proselytizing allowed at Peace House."
Rose published two books Savoring Grace, A Year at Peace House and I'm Still Dancing. Savoring Grace is a journal about the struggles and joys of a year at Peace House. I'm Still Dancing is a book of whimsical and upbeat prayers expressing faith in the God of quiet gifts and of refreshment, of laughter and justice, of refuge and of joy. No matter what obstacles, setbacks and down days you are facing, God is with you inviting you to join the sacred dance of life - today and for the rest of your life. I'm Still Dancing is still being sold. See "what you can do" for details.
Sister Rose Tillemans died on July 5, 2002 at the age of 79. She was an amazing woman who helped anyone and everyone around her. But she lives on everyday through the Peace House Community.