St. Joe’s Café: Honoring Treasured Volunteers

A warm, mid-July afternoon was the day chosen for the Sisters of St. Joseph and staff to pay tribute to the dedicated volunteers of our St. Joe’s Café.  The Sisters’ residence dining room was a cacophony of voices as the men and women greeted each other, and rejoiced in being together to celebrate, share stories and be part of an endeavor that offers hospitality, community, and meals to London’s lonely, hungry and most in need.

Tracey Morton-Sader, our hospitality centre coordinator, along with the team of Jamie, Larry, Nadine, and Fifi invited some 90+ volunteers that support our St. Joe’s Café to join us for a celebration of their incredible work with us.  Tracey led the proceedings with immense thanks to the volunteers for their collaborative work that makes St. Joe’s the welcoming place that it is. 

Sister Margo Ritchie, our Congregational Leader, addressed the group:

“When I am at meetings with our partners and say that we have about 100 volunteers, their eyes pop a bit. It is a truism to say that without you, we could not do it. And what is it you do?  Besides preparing meals, chatting with guests, problem solving, diffusing some heated situations, waiting on tables, doing dishes, which itself is more than enough.  You do this: you help people stay in their housing by providing food support; you help people (and perhaps yourselves) know that they belong; you offer hope by your consistent welcoming presence.”

Amid the joy and laughter of the afternoon, delicious food and treats were shared. Some volunteers tried their hand at games, while others engaged in conversation and catching up on what has been happening in their lives. A special joy was evident as Sisters greeted volunteers who had worked alongside each other for many years. 

The work of volunteers and people dedicated to justice and good works is as necessary these days, as it always has been. As we Sisters age and step back from the front line of duty, I think of the words of Colonel John McRae in his poem, “Flanders’ Fields.”  With two words changed, he penned,

“to you from aging hands we toss the torch; be yours to hold it high.”  

It is heartening to see that our works are continued through generous volunteers who embrace tending the dear neighbor wherever she/he/they might be.

Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Image: Unsplash/Dave Lowe

We Won’t Give Up: We Can’t Stop Now

It has been more than a year since several senior Sisters of St. Joseph began making approximately 130 sandwiches a day - Monday to Friday every week - since COVID-19 took our world by storm. Our assistance augments the reduced work of our soup kitchen help during the pandemic.

Sisters Stephanie and Mary Raphael hard at work

To expedite our sandwich-making project, early morning dietary staff set up several dining-room tables with the tools of our trade: white and brown bread, butter, meat, cheese, lettuce, wraps, etc.  At 9:15 a.m. the Sisters arrive on the scene and the work begins in earnest.  Three Sisters butter the bread, five build and wrap the sandwiches and one Sister serves as “gofer” running back and forth replenishing supplies.  Christian, our talented chef keeps an eye on production and listens to our advice and comments.  In less than an hour, the tables are laden with nutritious sandwiches and packed into sturdy brown boxes.  Mark, our trusty driver, hurries the boxes into the van and heads to our soup kitchen with the precious cargo.

There are unseen heroes in the sandwich-making process. Generous grocery store owners and private individuals donate the meat to our hospitality centre.  Bill, who supervises this downtown ministry in London, Ontario, sends these food donations to our home.  We supply the bread, butter, cheese, lettuce, various treats, drinks and especially, the labour.  “Sister-power” finishes the sandwich-making process in short order.

The ongoing community support of this ministry is such a continued blessing to our guests, our volunteers, and our congregation.

Yes, sometimes, like everyone caught in this pandemic, we sigh and wish that Mr. COVID and Mrs. Variant would pack up and leave town.  However, we are determined throughout the pandemic to provide our loving service to the dear neighbours who depend on St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Sisters Loretta and Nancy continue the work

Volunteer Week - A Week of Gratitude

Today is the beginning of National Volunteer Week 2021 and as we think of all the wonderful volunteers we, here at The Sisters of St. Joseph, have been blessed to work alongside over these many years we want to share a letter that was recently sent to us, from one of our volunteers. Roger volunteers in London, Ontario at our St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre - our “soup kitchen”.

We’re so very blessed by the many kind-hearted folks who share this work with us.

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Dear Sisters of St. Joseph in London,

I hope this essay brings some understanding of the work you lead.

The scene is a small shop. Across the street are boarded-up stores - long left to allow those who prefer to sleep in the doorways to find the accommodation of isolation to their liking. The shop has two large window panes being pelted with snow and through those panes, we can see the homeless lined up. They long to get inside where breakfast is being served.

Some of the homeless are on their way back - sober, and dressed in their best from the “hand out” down the street. Others are struggling and sway back and forth, doing their best to appear like the others.

We, all volunteers, await the 9 o’clock door opening. We say out loud, “OK everybody, let’s begin.”

As they enter, they are cordially met with a very comfortable lady who is respected by the men and women (and some children) as they pay their 50 cents and are given a plastic coin. Some go directly to the counter which displays bread, cakes, and buns - and they ‘bag’ their wants. These nutritious necessities having been donated by local food stores and delivered this very morning.

Many sit quietly awaiting one of our volunteers to approach and take the breakfast order. They may sit with strangers but others meet here on a regular basis.

Some shout to the cook, “Morning Tracy!”, others sit with their head down, not feeling too well at this early hour. This is a slow time for the dishwasher so he has a bowl of hot cereal and toast with coffee - but, following his repast, he never stops because the dishes keep coming.

Everyone seems to know the routine. The lady keeps the coffee ready for the gang to pick up and deliver, the chef keeps the eggs and bacon served on plates with such a rhythm you begin to wonder if she is not a machine. You soon realize she is very human when she directs a volunteer to serve the lady with the assortment of bags in the far corner who has been waiting for service for a bit of time. Our “chef” has an eye for those in need.

Oh-oh, voices are starting to climb…heavy voices…shouts at the table near the front. Accusations about a possession? An argument about a fork, a salt shaker? A parcel moved to another site? A chair saved for a friend?

Some pay attention without saying a word, but others stay to their meal without getting involved - they’ve seen it many times before. Within seconds, Bill the manager who is recognized as the ‘man-in-charge, arrives at the table of confrontation. You can sense the relief of the volunteers - it will be taken care of. Bill quickly kneels in front of the anxious and frustrated lonely woman. She continues to yell and scream, but then those screams and yells become whispers - Bill stands, and all is quiet. She moves to another table still mumbling but now about another matter. We, at the back, look at one another and smile - we try to give a reason for such behaviour - some think that she may have missed her ‘meds’ - however, one understands such behaviour and we are thankful for Bill.

I’ve known Bill for many years - in fact, I knew him as a baby. I coached hockey with his Dad when his brother played on our team. I am not sure how long he has been employed by the Sisters of St. Joseph at the Hospitality Centre in East London but, however long it has been it has been a blessing to the thousands that simply know him as “Bill.”

Roger Miller, Volunteer

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Since covid, we have been unable to host guests and work with our Volunteers. The Sisters make sandwiches each day and the staff at our Hospitality Centre serves them to those in need.

Roger is one of many volunteers that will be recognized for his dedication and kindness as we start volunteer week today.