What is Food For The Poor Doing?
Excerpt from homily by Deacon Leo Aman
St. Pius Tenth Parish,
Rochester, NY (April 2, 2006)
My group of 17 people was in Jamaica for two full days. Our first stop was at a parish named, of all things, St. Pius Tenth. I knew that I was in the right place.
St. Pius had a grammar school where basic reading, writing and arithmetic were taught to young and energetic children. Children are always the hope of the future.
Food For The Poor provides both breakfast and lunch to keep them ready to learn. It [FFP] equips the school with used chairs and desks, refurbished computers, books and supplies – all from U.S. donations. In addition, the young people were learning life-skills such as cooking and baking, hairdressing and sewing. We smelled the aromas from their stoves; tasted their sugar cookies, watched them brush wigs on wooden heads and listened to the hum of their sewing machines creating colorful clothes.
Leaving St. Pius School, we moved on to a community where homes were put together from scrap boards, twisted tin and rain-soaked cardboard. Families with as many as 9 people would sleep inside. But at the same time, new one and two room houses were also being constructed by work crews from Food For The Poor. A well-built house could be put up in less than a week with windows and water-tight roof. Families were waiting their turn to move into their new homes.
[Feeding destitute street people]. They sat and we served as though they were guests at a restaurant and we were the waiters. I could not help wondering if the heavenly banquet that Jesus talked about might be similar.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Message from the President and CEO
Below is a message from our CEO, Robin. He is very enthusiastic about the fraternity that this blog seeks to build in support of those we serve.
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I am very pleased with the concept of a message board (Deacons For The Poor), which seeks to update and thank you for your support of our efforts to help the Poor.
Since the beginning of the Church, and especially in today’s world, the role of deacon has taken on renewed importance. We must work together to answer the call of the gospel and reach out to the least of His brothers and sisters.
It is my prayer that this partnership will increase not only the efforts of this ministry, but will also strengthen your commitment to His service.
May God bless you abundantly for all that you do as workers in His vineyard.
A servant of the poor,
Robin G. Mahfood
President and CEO
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===================================
I am very pleased with the concept of a message board (Deacons For The Poor), which seeks to update and thank you for your support of our efforts to help the Poor.
Since the beginning of the Church, and especially in today’s world, the role of deacon has taken on renewed importance. We must work together to answer the call of the gospel and reach out to the least of His brothers and sisters.
It is my prayer that this partnership will increase not only the efforts of this ministry, but will also strengthen your commitment to His service.
May God bless you abundantly for all that you do as workers in His vineyard.
A servant of the poor,
Robin G. Mahfood
President and CEO
=====================================
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Welcome
May 3, 2007
Welcome to Deacons for the Poor, brainchild of our Pilgrimage Director, Father Paul Wilderotter.
Your first question….why May 3rd, when this date has already passed? This date is very special (for me) as it marks the twentieth anniversary of my ordination (Pentecost 1987).
My attachment to this ministry has to be fulfillment, rather than accident. The deacon is called to serve (diakona) and having to relocate from Jamaica to Florida and still incardinated in Jamaica, had me wondering what next and where to? He sent me to serve where He saw a need. For me, service to His poor fulfills my call to diakona, until He sends me elsewhere.
It is our prayer that this medium will help to keep us in touch with those who have already journeyed with us and to encourage others to ‘come aboard’.
The following excerpt from our invitational brochure to come on pilgrimage, says it all:
“We offer you this trip free of charge as an experience of the Gospel. Your pilgrimage will allow you to experience firsthand the suffering Christ in the poor. During your pilgrimage, you will better understand the anawim of the Old Testament as well as the Lamb of God of the New Testament. Our purpose is to familiarize you with the plight of the suffering poor of Christ while showing you what is being done to alleviate injustices and poverty in the Third World.
For many who travel with us, these trips become spiritual journeys, leading to a deeper understanding of how God’s grace is revealed in today’s world. As you walk in Christ’s footsteps among the poor, you recognize Him in the faces of the hungry and destitute. This life-changing experience builds a special stewardship towards the poor. It nurtures your faith. And it develops a keener sense of community among the caring. You also become a ‘living bridge’ to educate First World Christians about the harsh realities of life for Third World Christians.”
Please, let us continue the pilgrimage of life together in faith in Him who promised to be with us to the end of time.
Welcome to Deacons for the Poor, brainchild of our Pilgrimage Director, Father Paul Wilderotter.
Your first question….why May 3rd, when this date has already passed? This date is very special (for me) as it marks the twentieth anniversary of my ordination (Pentecost 1987).
My attachment to this ministry has to be fulfillment, rather than accident. The deacon is called to serve (diakona) and having to relocate from Jamaica to Florida and still incardinated in Jamaica, had me wondering what next and where to? He sent me to serve where He saw a need. For me, service to His poor fulfills my call to diakona, until He sends me elsewhere.
It is our prayer that this medium will help to keep us in touch with those who have already journeyed with us and to encourage others to ‘come aboard’.
The following excerpt from our invitational brochure to come on pilgrimage, says it all:
“We offer you this trip free of charge as an experience of the Gospel. Your pilgrimage will allow you to experience firsthand the suffering Christ in the poor. During your pilgrimage, you will better understand the anawim of the Old Testament as well as the Lamb of God of the New Testament. Our purpose is to familiarize you with the plight of the suffering poor of Christ while showing you what is being done to alleviate injustices and poverty in the Third World.
For many who travel with us, these trips become spiritual journeys, leading to a deeper understanding of how God’s grace is revealed in today’s world. As you walk in Christ’s footsteps among the poor, you recognize Him in the faces of the hungry and destitute. This life-changing experience builds a special stewardship towards the poor. It nurtures your faith. And it develops a keener sense of community among the caring. You also become a ‘living bridge’ to educate First World Christians about the harsh realities of life for Third World Christians.”
Please, let us continue the pilgrimage of life together in faith in Him who promised to be with us to the end of time.
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