Categories: charity-social-welfare
Date: 19 July 2007 03:07:06
[Wynyard, Sydney CBD, not Wynyard, Tasmania Miss Lisa! :)]
Last night, on one of the coldest nights we've had in Sydney for a long time [a good reminder of the comforts we take for granted!], Father and 15 or so of us from our parish, headed off to Wynard Park in the Sydney CBD to meet with those from St Paul's Mission to provide food, drink, and company, to the homeless and those in need. From a parish point of view, it was wonderful to see 15 people from our parish, as well as two cars from our St Mary's parish: there is a desire among our parishioners, the youth especially, to provide practical help and concern for those in need. Thanks be to God.
Those from St Paul's Mission were an inspiration, and a blessing. They suggested we go to Wynard Park as those there are less likely to be high on drugs or alcohol -- as gentle an introduction as possible. One woman from St Paul's in particular took us under her wing and explained so much to us, even her initial fears when she started six years ago when she was 19. Hearing such things made me ponder what I did in my youth -- nothing as loving and caring as these people. It also reminded me of Father Stephen's post on one of the university students from his parish who has gone to Georgia, where he is not only learning Georgian, but assisting in hospitals. His website is here. Thanks be to God for the love, and zeal, of the youth: an encouragement, and a confrontation to my laxity.
I will confess it was hard to get started: what do you talk about? So much of conversation these days is taken up with topics such as work or holidays or other material, and trivial, things. It was a struggle but, thanks be to those from St Paul's -- and also those supposedly being served, who, in reality, helped serve us by their presence and their conversation -- helped me along. I know it will continue to be a struggle for a while, if not for longer, but, amid the heartache and pain of seeing people in need, there was that spark of joy, of companionship, and even of love -- especially to be seen among those who have been there for a while who knew one another deeply and honestly. Please remember all those in our society who have "fallen through the cracks", so to speak, and are in need of help: physical and spiritual.
Even travelling in the car to and from Wynyard Park was a blessing: simply spending time with my brothers in Christ in the car as we travelled, talking and sharing about our faith, and our fears and struggles, was a blessing.
God is good indeed.