Homeless gather beneath highway for Easter

Monday, March 28, 2005 | 11:11 a.m.

On the darker side of Las Vegas, away from the glitz of the Strip and the pastels of suburban Easter egg hunts, a different kind of holiday celebration took place.

Those with no church over their heads and no tables of food spread before them gathered under two freeway bridges rumbling with Sunday morning traffic. They gathered to receive a message of hope.

At least 60 homeless stood for a roadside Mass said by the Rev. John McShane, who ministers to those living in an encampment on Wilson Avenue behind the Las Vegas Mission.

Four Easter lilies, swathed in violet plastic, stood under a white portable table serving as a makeshift altar where a wooden cross, two white candles sputtering in the wind and a bottle with about a half-cup of wine in it brought the sacraments to men, women and children gathered in the chill morning.

Baskets of pastel purple, yellow, blue, green and orange Easter eggs, cups of Jello, oranges and bananas were blessed along with the crowd. The food was served as an impromptu meal after the service.

McShane spoke about the significance of Christ appearing to his disciples on a similar morning 2,005 years ago, when many of his followers were without hope.

"Today is a special day," McShane said. "We wanted to be with you today. There is hope. Today is the day of Easter joy."

For 38-year-old Chris Kelly, who said he was living on the streets "as long as I want to be," the hugs and handshakes rippling through the crowd brought some happiness.

"The spirit brings me here," Kelly said. "Always, peace."

Giuseppe Lomagno, who has been in Las Vegas for 37 years and lived on the streets for the past year, arrived at the service and stood near the front of the crowd.

"I heard they were doing something, saying the Mass down here, so I came," Lomagno said. Afterward he accepted a chocolate brownie, a bottle of water and a cup of Jello, saying softly, "Thank you."

Vincent Yates considered himself lucky.

The 36-year-old Las Vegas man said he had been homeless for a couple of days. But he has entered the City of Las Vegas program, EVOLVE, standing for Educational and Vocational Opportunities Leading to Valuable Experience, which will help him find an apartment, training and a new job.

"I'm in transition," Yates said, smiling.

Linda Lera-Randle El, a longtime homeless advocate and director of Straight from the Streets, a nonprofit organization, said the Wilson Street service brought tears to her eyes.

"Government just can't get it," Lera-Randle El said. "We never seem to see the spiritual side put into treatment plans. They are still seeking spiritual solace," she said, wiping tears from her cheeks as she stood in the middle of the crowd.