History

Fr. Gregory Boyle SJ

St. Francis Shelter welcomes Fr Gregory Boyle, SJ, to the Sacred Heart Parish at 601 E. Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705 on March 24, 2023 at 5:30pm.

Thirty years ago, Fr Boyle founded Homeboy Industries, a community outreach program in the LA area aimed to give former gang members a second chance to reintegrate into society. Over these years, the program has helped 7800 community clients, removed 3000 tattoos, and has seen support from 24 therapists to give clients the best opportunity for reintegration.

Tattoos on the Heart

In Boyle's hit novel, he reminds us that no life is less valuable than any another. Through this collection of parables, each chapter discusses a different gang member or former member, and the valuable lessons that can be learned from each of these individuals. Boyle is able to illustrate that even the most seasoned gang-members can be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society simply through displays of kindness and decency. The underlying message of the collection serves to show how much change can be brought through connection, love, and compassion for all people.