A hearty thank you to all the organizers of this year’s Sharing the Meal Christmas party, and to the many who contributed their time and/or resources to make it possible.
According to Clare
it was a hum-dinger, fabulous organization, and the tucker was to die for. Best ever, in my view!
You can view photos of the occasion here.
The following arrived today from Fr David Lancini, p.p. of Kirwan in Queensland. David, a great friend of Fr John’s, comes to Sydney for his annual holidays and helps out at The Meal for the two weeks that he is here. Over the many years that he has been doing this he had got to know Mary and Trevor.
He intends to put the following story on the front of his Parish Bulletin
MINISTERIAL REGION OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD Morindo Drive, Kirwan. Q. 4817 P.O. Box 203, Thuringowa Central. Q. 4817 Phone: (07) 4723 9844 Fax: (07) 4723 … Continue reading
The following letter was sent today:
To Serve One Another With Generosity And Joy PO Box 206 Leichhardt 2040
6 July 2008
Dear Father Clesio
We just wish to thank all the pilgrims who have so generously and thoughtfully contributed so much towards our “Sharing the Meal" here at St Vincent’s Redfern. It is because of such kindness that we are able to keep going. There are lots of disadvantaged people who come in and share each Tuesday and Friday morning – roughly about 100. People who would not have the opportunity of sharing … Continue reading
Sharing the Meal co-ordinator Kate Gavan was presented with a green bag this morning after the 9am Mass by Clesio Mendes and Joe Pelle. They told her that the World Youth Day pilgrims who attended St Vincent’s saw what was being done for the poor and wished to offer some support.
So impressed were the pilgrims with the Sharing of the Meal that they collected $1600 in loose coins and notes – the contents of the bag.
They also offered their assurance of continuing prayers for the poor, and for peace in our community.
Bishop David Cremin came to St Vincent’s this morning to show his support for the community and dedicate a photo of Fr Ted Kennedy mounted in the church foyer as a sign of welcome to all.
The bishop chose Naidoc Day in post-Apology Australia to visit Redfern, unveiling the picture of Ted as another gesture of the community’s recommitment to Reconciliation with Aboriginal brothers and sisters.
Aboriginal member of parliament Linda Burney last week said that many Aboriginal people regard that Apology in a manner similar to the "coming-down" of the Berlin Wall.
The community also wanted to make a … Continue reading
The following is an excerpt from an email just received from one of the co-ordinators of Sharing the Meal. Is it right that the Neocats close down the Meal for WYD so they can conduct their catechesis classes? And how about proclaiming love & compassion from the pulpit in one breath and denying the marginalised & disadvantaged a meal in the next?
Dear All
Last Friday following morning Mass I approached Frs Clesio and Joe in the sacristy. I requested information re WYD Masses especially during the Pope’s visit on the Tuesday & Friday. These are ‘Sharing the Meal’ … Continue reading
Community member Di Carr and her chocolate cakes feature in this this short (5 min) film made by SBS about Sharing the Meal.
View it here
by members of the community of St Vincent’s, Redfern
There is surely no more powerful reflection on the authentic meaning of the Eucharist than in the recent letter Mane nobiscum domine of Pope John Paul II.
There is one other point which I would like to emphasise, since it significantly affects the authenticity of our communal sharing in the Eucharist.
It is the impulse which the Eucharist gives to the community for a practical commitment to building a more just and fraternal society.
9 January 2005 by (Sr) Esmey Herscovitch, Redfern NSW
In this year of the Eucharist what better way to put into practice the invitation of Pope John Paul II to live the Eucharist than the Christmas meal we have just celebrated at St Vincent’s, Redfern.
The meal was served to some 250-300 peopleand a comparable number of hampers was distributed.
People from all over Sydney contributed directly or indirectly to this celebration thus making it an ecclesial event as well as a Eucharistic one. … Continue reading
Preparations for the special Christmas luncheon were buoyed by the news that the Charitable Works Fund has had a welcome change of heart – its $200 a week contribution to the Sharing the Meal initiative is to be re-instated. Fr Gerry’s announcement of the decision at the end of Mass today (19 December 2004) drew a hearty round of applause from the congregation.
Many parishes – especially from Northern Sydney – have contributed hampers for distribution to the needy who attend the Sharing the Meal. Organisers Mary McMahon and Kate Gavan and the rest of the St Vincent’s community … Continue reading