“The prayer of the poor rises to God.”
Sirach 21:5
It has been a great tradition here at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples that the parish along with Catholic Social Services, mark the Eighth World Day of the Poor event. The theme of: “The prayer of the poor rises up to God” aligns with the overarching theme of prayer as part of the preparation for the Jubilee in 2025.
Beginning with mass celebrated by Rev. Jim Corrigan, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, people were invited to reflect on their responsibility as Christians with regards to the poor and to always, pray for them. Pray persistently, like the old widow in the Gospel. God knows our needs but asks that we connect our lives to Almighty God through persistent prayer and our prayers will be answered in ways we cannot always see or understand.
A hot, sit down meal of roast chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, fresh vegetables, a lovely dessert and beverages was provided. Volunteers from the Millwoods Rotary Club, The Internazionale Soccer Club of Edmonton, and Sacred Heart Church volunteers served the meals to our guests. After their meal, people were invited to receive donated warm clothing and personal items to help them through their days in this cold climate. Volunteers offered kind words and often felt humbled by the resilience seen in the people in need.
A team of church volunteers also took meals into the community outdoors. People living rough in tents or tarps received a care package. One hundred fifty packages were prepared and given out within an hour. Many more could have been offered to people who haven’t the physical or social abilities to join the gathering in the hall.
Some guests heard about the meal from others in the neighbourhood, or heard at an assembly in the morning that a lunch was being served. Others saw our posters or had received an invitation when coming for a lunch during the week. Every person was welcomed and given a dignified dinner and gifts. At the end of the day, approximately 200 people were served and all left with a full stomach and warmer layers to face the days ahead.
Our warmest thanks go to the organizing committee, Fr. Jim Corrigan, the Millwoods Rotary Club, the soccer volunteers and coaches, Catholic Social Services and our own very dedicated team of volunteers for making this connection with the poor a successful event. By our actions we tell those in need that we love them and care for them as they are.
-Courtesy of Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples