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

Saluting Hospice Volunteers

The days leading up to Thanksgiving formed an appropriate time for the staff of St. Joseph’s Hospice of London to pay tribute to their generous volunteers in a method that has become popular during the pandemic months.  On a sunny Wednesday morning, staff invited volunteers to a drive-by in front of the hospice area. 

As the volunteers approached the circular driveway, they were greeted by vivacious young staff members dressed as cheerleaders in bright green, waving green pom poms and displaying placards of praise and support.  They surrounded the cars and delivered words of praise and appreciation to the volunteers.  From their brightly colored stands, they offered special coffee and refreshments. The expressions of gratitude were graciously received by those who came to be acknowledged for their generous assistance.

The hospice organization and staff recognize that volunteers are crucial to the ongoing operation of underfunded hospices. They work at the reception desk and help in the kitchen area. They give direct support in the hospice wing and in the wider community.  They also take part in fundraising initiatives. Even the enclosed garden and grounds are thriving under the capable hands of volunteers. In fact, some volunteers are giving back to hospice in appreciation for the care given to a family member who spent his/her final days in hospice.

Volunteer appreciation day was a beautiful occasion for staff to reach out and recognize people who see how they can make a difference. They put their plans into action.  Volunteers make a city a strong, vibrant, caring place to live.

Thank you for bringing your generous spirit to St. Joseph’s Hospice of London!

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

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St. Joseph’s Hospice of London is our neighbour here in London, Ontario. To find out more about the incredible work they do, you can visit their website here.

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. 

St. Joseph's Hospitality Centre Feeds Those In Need

Our Bartlett pear trees this year provided a bountiful harvest that was far too many for us to eat. It was a shame to throw them away: Ella and I decided to give them to those who may not have had the opportunity to be able to afford them at the local food markets.

I called Bill Payne who has been the co-ordinator of the St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre, in London East. “It is a “soup kitchen” that is sponsored by the Sisters of St Joseph providing meals and friendship to the many who are economically and socially disadvantaged.”

We were just in time for a delicious breakfast of bacon and eggs, toast, fruit, steamy cups of hot chocolate and fresh fruit. There was an eclectic group of dinners made up of seniors, middle aged and infants who patiently waited to be served. There were no long line ups with everyone seated being treated as special invited guests.

Bill sat down in the dining room with me and gave a brief explanation along with a history of the Center. The primary funding and guidance comes from the Sisters of St Joseph who have embraced the project for 28 years. 120 volunteers graciously give of their time to prepare and feed 300 patrons a day Monday to Friday. One can have breakfast from 9.30-11am for fifty cents and a full nutritious lunch (12-2.) costs $1.00. Meals can be prepaid monthly for only $25.00 which covers 44 visits.

Bill emphasized that no one is turned away at the door because of the lack of funds. The patrons are welcome to take home bags of fruit and bread to help tide them over until their next meal.

Lunch to-day was a delicious array of roast beef sandwiches/potatoes, vegetables fruit and my favourite desert, chocolate cake, washed down with steamy cups of tea and coffee.

Everyone regardless of faith is welcome to come and break bread with their fellow Londoners. It is a time to socialize and get out of the cold and to enjoy the warmth of the Center. There are no mandatory prayers to give thanks.

I had the chance to interview and get to know a few of the guests. Sam was a clean shaven nicely dressed middle aged man from Montreal who had fallen on hard times; he recently lost his job in retail sales.

Liz was a very slim 23 old women who had only a paper thin vest to help ward off the cold morning. She told me that: “she lives in the Salvation Army, Centre of Hope Shelter and comes to St Joseph’s only when she is hungry.” She has lived on her own since the age of thirteen after escaping from abusive group/foster homes. She was very proud that she is now attending Wheable Secondary School in the evenings. She is working on receiving her high school diploma that can help her find a good paying job. Liz wants to be independent, with the opportunity to have her two young children returned to her.

Rita, who is a senior citizen, uses her meagre Canadian Government pension that helps her prepay her breakfasts and lunches. “She enjoys coming every day to meet with her new found friends and take home a loaf of bread to help supplement her supper.”

Every one of the guests that I had the chance to chat with told me of the sense of warmth and acceptance they were afforded when they came to dine.

St Joseph’s is nurtured by the sense of commitment and giving by the 120 volunteers who graciously give of their time to help.

Elizabeth has volunteered every Friday for the past 18 months after retiring from a career in nursing at the London Health Science Center. She felt: “it was her time to give back to the community and pay it forward.” She thoroughly loves connecting with the guests and volunteers. “Simply amazing” were her words to describe the generosity of Londoners.

Emily who is a fourth year student of King’s University College is enrolled in Social Justice/French studies, on her way to law school. She had just finished her first morning serving breakfast to the guests. Emily hopes other university/college students will take the time to learn of the good works at the centre and volunteer their time.

There is a beautiful message in the hand out expressing the philosophy of the Centre written by Joe Barth,

“When we dream alone,
 It is only a dream,
When we dream together,
It can become a reality”

Len Lesser
from The Len Lesser Report