Sometimes God Has a Kid's Face

by Mary Rose McGeady

True stories of street kids and the author's experiences with them.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Biography, Childrens, Spirituality, Christianity

101 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sister Mary Rose McGeady, DC.

In 1946, she became a sister of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul (DC).

She received a bachelor's degree in sociology from Emmanuel College in 1955 and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Fordham University in 1961.

She served as executive director of the Nazareth Child Care Centre for Homeless Children in Boston, executive director of the Astor Home for Children in Rhinebeck, NY, associate director of Catholic Charities for the diocese of Brooklyn, and lastly as director of Covenant House (from 1990-2003), which the New York Times identified as "the nation’s largest network of shelters for homeless youngsters."

Reviews

[Patricia A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was gifted a paper back copy when i was 8 years old from a friend of whom i lost contact with many years ago; and somehow, as the years pass i always find myself making my way back to this book. i must have reread this over thirty times. having gone through traumatic things at a young age, i see myself in the children who were seeking refuge and guidance in the covenant house. sister Mary Rose Mcgeady is the person who sparked my desire to dedicate my life to volunteer work. may God bless her soul and may she rest in peace.

[Daniella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes God Has A Kid's Sace was a really good book! My catechism teacher recommended that we should read it and it would change our perspective on the way we view less fortunate kids who live out on the streets. This book also revealed to the reader different ways in which we can help children living out on the streets. Sister Mary Rose McGeady really made an impact on the lives of many children who once found it hard to cope living on the streets. She fed them, clothed them, and gave them a place to sleep at night. She also tried her best to ensure that they are able to get a job and are also able to supply for themselves, because she cannot take care of them forever. Sometimes God Has A Kid's Face by Sister Mary Rose McGeady is a quick read that I believe everybody should get around to.

[Nina Test · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very insightful read but I wish it was more in depth with some stories and I wish there was more to the book. There was only about 100 pages. Quick easy and thought provoking book

[Cameron Lazenberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book isn't too bad. I went with a three because of the topic and message honestly. The topic of child homelessness is an intense one with many hard revelations. And the message of giving yourself in some way to help them is admirable, I I mean I feel like giving the content it's hard to rate this book poorly.

I do however, think from a literary stand point, this could have been written better. The book could stand to be longer because there just isn't enough about the children presented in the book, they are short snippets make it difficult to remember the name of the child you just read about. The stories are pretty much the same with minor twist, which might be the point about how harsh the life is, but I think it blended all of these "homeless children" stories into a theme of child homelessness rather than a memorable story about any particular kid.

It's worth the read if you are interested in charity or just want to get involved in helping a group in need, but this isn't like, a must read. Still it's fast, so I mean, you ain't got much to lose and you could pick up a passion for charity work so, go for it.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sister Mary Rose McGeady was not a writer, but since I recently started volunteering at Covenant House Georgia, I thought I should read this tiny collection of some of her stories about meeting kids. The writing is not polished and certainly cliched, but that’s not the point. The point is that these stories are all TRUE. Just a glimpse into why children end up on the streets and what happens when they finally seek help. I liked the little prayers and poems written by Covenant House kids included at the beginning of each chapter/story. (Note: a book written by a nun is certainly religious, but surprisingly, Covenant House Georgia does not push Christianity on its kids. The only thing is an option for Bible Study. Just FYI.) Worth a read.

[Casey Maphis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ “Thank you for sharing our conviction that children should not have to suffer.”

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read about the promise the Covenant House gives to street kids. Also lists helpful hints to tell if your hurting themselves or ready to runaway and how to prevent it. Send through the mail to influence helping with a donation this book was a real creative way to making the world aware of what's happening with the children of America.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although short, this was a tremendously heartbreaking to read about the abuse these children suffered at the hands of their own families and then the struggle of survival on the streets. I'm glad there are places like the Covenant House to help these children. There is also a great help section in the back of this book.

[Christian Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister Mary Rose McGeady's heart-warming sharing of the love street kids receive at Covenant House is a must-read for people who care about the needs of others. With love and hope and direction, kids from terrible circumstances can thrive. Thank God for those from Covenant House and other organizations who reach out to hurting kids!

[Natalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Touching short stories about real life homeless kids. I remember getting a similar book from Covenant House, "God Isn't Done With Me Yet". Loved that one.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. Wonderful ministry at work at the Covenant House. The stories lead you a bit deeper into what is going on with kids on the street. Encourages compassion and a call to action.

[Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is like a Jerry Lewis telethon for abused runaway teens. The book's cause is most worthwhile, but the stories are superficial and redundant.

[DiAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

True stories of street kids and Sister Mary Rose McGeady's experiences with them. They are America's unreachables - America's street children. They are like shadows in our cities. You can find them in abandoned buildings, park benches, subways, narrow alleyways. When darkness falls, these shadows disappear into places many of us will never, ever see in a lifetime.
Sister Mary Rose devoted her life to telling them about God's unconditional love and making a difference. They are always welcomed into the Covenant House, a place where street children will have a place to sleep, get clean clothes, be fed, and definitely be loved. Sister Mary Rose has touched the lives of so many of these children, changing their lives forever.
An excellent book that will definitely pull at your heartstrings. Sadly, this is all too common in our nation. Sex exploitation and trafficking is growing every year. Children and especially street kids are many times the traffickers targets because of their vulnerability and gullibility, as well as the twisted and sick demand for young victims. Many times children look for love and acceptance in the wrong places and fall into the awful trap of human trafficking.

[Kelly Mack McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up a copy of Sometimes God Has a Kid's Face in a waiting room while waiting for an oil change and later purchased my own copy to finish reading. The book is a poignant collection of stories that shed light on the struggles and triumphs of young people seeking refuge at Covenant House. The stories offer a heart-wrenching glimpse into the lives of children who often must choose between living in an abusive home environment or on the unforgiving streets of our cities. Sometimes they are discarded like trash by troubled families only to fall prey to gangs and pimps once on the streets.

The challenge of gaining the trust of these young people is evident since they have been subjected to such horrible abuse and often feel unloved by anyone. Covenant House starts by providing basic needs like meals, shelter, medical attention, educational training, and counseling while gaining their trust. The kids learn about the love of Christ through the loving care they receive at Covenant House.

[Darren Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very touching, short little book that tells the stories of but a few of the thousands of homeless youth. These stories are heart felt and eye-opening regarding the many struggles that teens and youth are having to navigate in our society. While the book is written by a Catholic Nun, In no way was the book religious. While there was mention of Jesus and ask of prayers this was not trying to portray or push faith. The main reason I took of stars was the book almost reads, especially at the end, as an advertisement for people to donate to their charity. Which, too me, draws away from the topic. I would have rather seen there be a conclusion of how to help these homeless children which I feel was lacking.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good morning
I am really liking the title...sometimes God has a child's face...why would she title this as such…I have a few thoughts…almost as if she really believes that these children that she takes in are savable, no matter the trauma...that it is not only her duty to care for these 'God faced kids...but almost a commandment to care for these 'God faced kids'...I just like the way she tells the story of kids whom she takes in...if someone ever experiences the trauma that she speaks - you can definitely hear the compassion in her stories…God has a child’s face…really think upon this…that these children special and savable…both to the child who has been traumatized and to the person who is reaching out to them in compassion...very good book...

[Elmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝘔𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴,
𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘮𝘦. 𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥.
— 𝘈 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘢 𝘬𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘭

Immensely heartbreaking, especially in its simplicity and straightforwardness. The love Sister Mary had (& will always have) for these kids is palpable through the text. Read this, shed some tears, and feel called to action for the most vulnerable among us…

[Brianna Battista · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes God Has a Kid's Face tells the stories of children who are struggling in life. These kids (primarily teens) go to the covenant house for shelter and to seek help from their current situation. At the end of each story it tells how the children got help and learned about God during their stay. Something I enjoyed about the book is that it tells about true stories of real peoples lives and struggles. I didn't really like that it seemed pretty repetitive with the stories and even though it was a short book it felt like a long read.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poignant collection of stories about abused street kids that get connected to Covenant House, a Catholic charity that has been set up to rescue kids. The stories are powerful and moving, which of course is part of the purpose of a book like this that is intended to help fundraising for a worthy cause. It is easy to forget that kids like this are living on the streets in every city. The sisters at CH are to be applauded for their ministry and deserve support. Their work makes communities better places.

[jaimedannie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish this included the success stories of the kids after the to went to Covenant House.
my ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved it. Couldn't put it down. I will probably read it again and it has a place in my library.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Enjoyed it. Good characters, great story. if nonfiction, great information, interesting topic.
⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Glad I read it, but won't read again.
⭐⭐: okay, I won't read it again, it will not be kept for my library.
⭐: I didn't like it, don't recommend it.

[Joshua Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a short collection of stories from "Sister" Mary McGready of Covenant House, the "largest privately funded agency in the Americas providing shelter, food, immediate crisis care, and an array of other services to homeless and runaway youth" (Wikipedia). It was well worth the thirty minutes it took me to read it in order to familiarize myself with their work.

[Tracy Follert · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, short and sweet, read about homeless youth and teens in NYC. All stories seemed very much alike to me and did not have a great amount of details. The book read more like an ad for the homeless shelter and the last page is a donation request that you rip out and send back. I’m sure it’s a great way to advertise and raise funds for the agency- didn’t make for a great read.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book that focuses on the street kids that come to Covenant House. Each chapter focuses on the background of one particular child. Their lives are particularly traumatic and heart wrenching and the healing that comes through Covenant House miraculous.

[India Lavoyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even rate something like this accurately. This is a Nonfiction book that tells the stories of several children that came to a shelter from abusive homes and/or homelessness. It’s something everyone should read. It made me emotional. It’s very sad what some children have to go through.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a powerful message despite the fact that it isn't very well written. A quick read that opened my eyes to the reality of children living on the streets of New York. A heartbreaking and impactful book by a nun who epitomizes the love of Christ for lost and broken children.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chilling little book. I am neither Catholic or a parent-but this really put the Covenant Houses' work into perspective. Seems like Covenant House is the only thing standing in the way of a runaway kid dying on the street.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

True reality

[S Washam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful read..

[Tricia Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book it is so ❤ touching the stories in this book are real and eye opening. Sometimes we have so much that we forget about those that have nothing this book is a reminder

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only gave it three stars because I would have enjoyed reading some of the stories in more detail. It’s just snippets of stories from over a several year time span.