We Have a Table for Four Ready: A Reflection 1

We Have a Table for Four Ready: A Reflection

Eastyn Baleto

Gonzaga University

Dr. Armstrong

COML 595 A2: Theorizing Communication

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We Have a Table for Four Ready: The Story of St. Francis Inn (Straub, 1997) tells the

emotional story of the St. Francis Inn, located in Philadelphia, and its volunteers; a group

dedicated to serving the underprivileged and impoverished living in and around the community

of Kensington Avenue. Moreover, by highlighting the service of the friars, sisters, and

volunteers, this documentary provides the opportunity for an in-depth analysis of the Seven

Traditions in the Field of Communication Theory, most notably the socio-cultural and

phenomenological traditions.

Throughout the documentary the volunteers continually welcomed those in need by

taking an authentic interest in each of their stories, thus aligning themselves with the socio-

cultural tradition of “bridging the culture gap that exists between ‘us’ and ‘them’” (Griffin, et al,

2015). Here, the language shared between volunteer and visitor in these exchanges defeats such a

notion of ‘other’ because it helps to structure the volunteer’s perception of reality (Griffin, et al,

2015). After learning more about each visitor’s story a volunteer can better understand what

events brought the person to St. Francis in the first place, and therefore begin to form a

relationship that goes beyond the superficial.

Meaningful bonds are essential to the work of St. Francis Inn because it creates an open,

and safe environment - a luxury that majority of the visitors have not experienced for some time.

Take for example the story of Nikki, a young girl whose mother abandoned her for a new

husband and specifically said she did not love her enough to choose her over him. Just like the

volunteer whose “perception of reality” changes after listening to a visitor, Nikki’s was changed

by her mother’s words (Griffin, et al, 2015). Such an exchange left her struggling to survive on

the streets of Philadelphia at the age of twelve, and ultimately caused her to turn to drugs to try

and fill the void left by her mother.

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For someone like Nikki a sense of belonging is paramount, and St. Francis Inn recognizes

this need. In fact, the St. Francis Inn intentionally seats the visitors in tables of four because they

“want to respect the dignity of people, and let them come and have a sit-down meal,” where they

can interact with others in a positive atmosphere (Straub, 1997). A clear shift in the visitors’

attitudes and behavior can be observed once they are seated in such a way because at the table all

are welcomed, and all are invited to eat and share as equals. But this shift is not solely reserved

for the visitors only, as showcased by both Friar Francis Pompeii’s revelations about Danny, and

Friar Xavier’s about the importance of being loved during adolescence.

At first glance, Danny is a man suffering from physical disabilities that make it

impossible to walk, and a drug addict. However, at St. Francis Inn he is given much more than

that, and in fact, Friar Francis’ reaction to hearing Danny’s story highlights the

phenomenological tradition which holds “communication as the experience of self and others

through dialogue” (Griffin, et al, 2015). Through conversation Friar Francis learns that Danny

lost his ability to walk while serving in Vietnam, and that his drug addiction stems from taking

pain medications for that very injury. These conversations further broadened Friar Francis’

perspective because he and Danny are around the same age, meaning that quite conceivably Friar

Francis himself could have been drafted to fight, sustained an injury, and fallen down the same

path as Danny.

Similarly, Friar Xavier relates to the phenomenological tradition as he offers reflection on

his own life’s experiences considering his conversations with the youth who walk through the

Inn’s doors. He says, “To be loved is so much. I took it for granted all my life until I came here”

(Straub, 1997). His time serving at the Inn has cultivated a special place in his heart for the

young kids because he knows all too well that “some people are born into situations and
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circumstances that are horrendous” (Straub, 1997). Friar Xavier carries with him a new-found

appreciation for his upbringing due to the dialogues shared at St. Francis Inn.

We Have a Table for Four Ready: The Story of St. Francis Inn (Straub, 1997) shares the

moving story of the St. Francis Inn and its volunteers. The service of these volunteers inspires

the underprivileged and impoverished of the Philadelphia community, to remain hopeful through

these difficult times, while broadening the volunteers’ perspectives of reality. Although the

volunteers know they may not be able to help every visitor financially, they focus on helping

them emotionally and spiritually by expressing interest in their well-being and extending prayers

to inspire faith in their lives. Referring to one of the questions prompted in the reflection

worksheet. “What feelings did you experience as you viewed the video?” I experienced feelings

of guilt and sympathy. Guilt because these people who have lost so much and continue to suffer,

remain positive and hopeful, while I, who have lost very little, am not at times. Sympathy for

those that are suffering from hardships; may God be with them always and help them through

this difficult time.

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References

Straub, G.T. (Producer/Director). (1997). We have a table for four ready: The story

of St. Francis Inn. Hollywood, CA: Family Theater Productions.

Griffin, E., Ledbetter, A., & Sparks, G. (2015). A first look at communication theory (9th ed.).

New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.