Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda
1. Loaves & Fishes is a project here in Bermuda started this year in Lent by the St. Vincent de Paul Society Committee Members. This group committed to providing free, nutritious meals in a dignified, safe, and caring Christian environment during Lent. It proved to be quite successful, and we have now expanded and will continue to operate every Sunday.
In addition the St. Vincent de Paul Society wants to give our Catholic Faith Community the opportunity to become involved with their own Diocesan Charity and provide them with a ‘hands-on’ experience in being involved with their less fortunate brothers and sisters in Christ.
This service is open to families trying to make ends meet; those who might be lonely seeking company at meal times, especially seniors; those living in shelters; and the homeless. The only criteria is that everyone is expected to act and to be treated with respect and dignity.
Dinner is served every Sunday evening from 5:30 – 6:30pm at St. Theresa’s Hall located on Laffan Street just off of Cedar Avenue in Hamilton.
If anyone is interested in volunteering to assist us with this programme, please contact Mrs. Joanne Judd at 232-5211 or send an email to judd@northrock.bm.
2. LOAVES AND FISHES PROJECT UPDATE – December, 2010
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St. Vincent de Paul Society
P.O. Box HM 1191, Hamilton, HM BX
Phone: 232-5211
10th December 2010
Dear Friends of the St. Vincent de Paul Society,
The St. Vincent de Paul Society’s Committee extends heartfelt thanks for everyone’s support during this past year, both financially and with the time given to the Loaves and Fishes Programme and the Visitation Ministry.
In 2010 the Society assisted with approximately $2,000 in BELCO bills, $25,000 in Rents, $7,000 for the Loaves & Fishes Programme, $5,500 in Food Vouchers which is over and above the $11,250 that was raised through the Market Place Voucher scheme earlier this year, plus approximately $1,000 in miscellaneous forms of assistance. Your generosity and the stewardship of Bishop Robert Kurtz, CR and the Pastors of each parish have enabled us to accomplish all of this. It has been a challenging, but rewarding year.
We continue to host the Loaves & Fishes Feeding of the Homeless program where an average of 65 people are served a hot nourishing meal each Sunday evening in a warm, welcoming, Christian atmosphere. This is accomplished with the assistance of 66 adult volunteers and about 55 youths, from both Mt. St. Agnes Academy and other schools, who come each week on a rotation basis. Many of the volunteers donate food and we are also grateful to the Portuguese Bakery and the Brunswick Bakery for their weekly donations. The feedback is always so positive, in fact, I am not sure who gets the most out of these Sunday evenings – the volunteers or the guests. It is a truly wonderful experience.
As we continue this blessed season of Advent, we now focus on assuring that everyone in need has food for the Christmas Season. In years past, collections of food items were taken up, sorted, boxed and distributed to as many as 120 families. However, manpower decreased and as the incidents of homelessness steadily increased, together with others having special dietary needs, it became evident that it was more feasible to distribute Christmas Grocery Certificates that allow the recipients to make purchases at their discretion and with dignity. This project now costs us $18,000 per year. In the past, the St. Vincent de Paul Society managed to pay for this project from its normal operating income. However, the sizeable increase in the numbers of those seeking out our Society for assistance (for housing, utilities etc.) has resulted in us experiencing a financial shortfall for the first time ever. Therefore the St. Vincent de Paul Society is requesting, that, instead of donating food, you consider making a monetary donation specifically to assist with our Christmas Food Certificate Programme. This will enable us to continue to spread our Christian charity amongst those, who, for whatever reason, find themselves not able to feed themselves on a regular basis.
Donations can be put in the attached envelope placed in the regular collection basket in your parishes or mailed to St. Vincent de Paul Society for the weekend of the 19th December. Alternatively, a direct deposit can be made to the Bank of N.T. Butterfield, SVDP Savings Account No. 20006060476711200. If you choose this method of payment, please send an email to orcc@northrock.bm advising of your payment. I can be contacted at 232-5211 if you have any questions.
We thank you sincerely for your kindness and generosity and also take this opportunity to wish you God’s blessings during the beautiful Christmas Season; and peace, health and joy throughout the coming New Year.
With gratitude, love and prayers,
Joanne Judd
President