Out of the Cold

Students and staff at St. Michael's College School carry on the work of mission to the homeless

May/June 2008

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Lorne Clapper enjoys a hot meal while chatting with Srs. Gwen Legault (standing) and Susan Moran during the Out Of The Cold program at The Stone School on Rubidge Street, Peterborough, Ontario. This is a new program hosted by St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral and St. Alphonsus Church, and also supported by congregational leader Sr. Dorothy Ryan and the Sisters of St. Joseph. “A lot of churches and organizations provide lunches and dinners throughout the week for people who need food and companionship, but on Saturdays there was only one evening meal provided each month so we decided to fill that gap and provide a meal each Saturday modelled on the Out of the Cold program, which includes the space for 10 people to spend the night,” said Peterborough organizer Gwen Johnston. “We expect anywhere from 40 to 90 people for dinner.”“It is a beautiful tribute to Peterborough’s mission to the poor and the homeless,” said Sr. Moran. “Bishop Nicola De Angelis, Father Joe Moran and Father Paul Massel have been wonderful. And, we’d never be opening without the hard work of Gwen and her daughter Tricia.” Quotes taken from article by Kelly McGillis, “Out of the Cold program helps homeless poor”, The Peterborough Examiner. Lorne Clapper enjoys a hot meal while chatting with Srs. Gwen Legault (standing) and Susan Moran during the Out Of The Cold program at The Stone School on Rubidge Street, Peterborough, Ontario. This is a new program hosted by St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral and St. Alphonsus Church, and also supported by congregational leader Sr. Dorothy Ryan and the Sisters of St. Joseph.

“A lot of churches and organizations provide lunches and dinners throughout the week for people who need food and companionship, but on Saturdays there was only one evening meal provided each month so we decided to fill that gap and provide a meal each Saturday modelled on the Out of the Cold program, which includes the space for 10 people to spend the night,” said Peterborough organizer Gwen Johnston. “We expect anywhere from 40 to 90 people for dinner.”

“It is a beautiful tribute to Peterborough’s mission to the poor and the homeless,” said Sr. Moran. “Bishop Nicola De Angelis, Father Joe Moran and Father Paul Massel have been wonderful. And, we’d never be opening without the hard work of Gwen and her daughter Tricia.”

Quotes taken from article by Kelly McGillis, “Out of the Cold program helps homeless poor”, The Peterborough Examiner.

The students of St. Michael’s College School under the direction of Basilian Father John Murphy, Kevin Anderson ‘73, Our Lady’s Missionary Sr. Susan Moran, and teachers at the school, along with Rev. John Erb of St. Michael’s and All Angels Anglican Church, opened Out of the Cold on January 15, 1987. Its initial location was a converted photography shop on St. Clair Avenue West. Every Saturday for about four hours the homeless came. “We shared their lives, offering a hot meal, warm clothing and groceries,” said Sr. Moran. “Fr. Frank McCabe (Basilian), principal at the time, offered his prayers, trust and assistance.” The program was enthusiastically supported by staff and students, along with Basilian Father Leo Campbell at Holy Rosary Church.

Out of the Cold has come a long way since those early days. Last fall, Governor General Michaelle Jean invested Sister Moran with the Order of Canada for her work with the homeless. “Out of the Cold is one of the most remarkable and successful institutions helping people in Toronto,” says Richard Always, President of the University of St. Michael’s College.

Sr. Moran requested that now is the time to introduce and recognize those students who can well be considered co-founders of the program: Craig Smeaton ‘90, Enzo Sallese ‘88, John Spence ‘89, Chris Foy ‘88 and his wife Joanne, Chris Zownir ‘92, and Ed Moran and Liz Eustace, nephew and niece of Sister Moran.

On June 20, 2007, the Student Council and staff of St. Michael’s College School gave $3,000 to Out of the Cold. Sr. Moran’s work is being carried on by John Walsh ‘73, Peter Grbac ‘08, and Basilian Father Joe Redican.

Taken from the St. Michael’s College School Alumni Magazine, Blue Banner, Fall 2007.

A house of welcome. Refuge from the streets of Toronto can be hard to come by, but Sr. Susan Moran of Our Lady’s Missionaries is relentless in her pursuit. The co-founder of Toronto’s Out of the Cold program persuaded the University of St. Michael’s College and the Seeds of Hope Foundation to join forces to open Lazarus House, a downtown community of welcome for the poor and homeless. Above: On hand for the blessing are:L-R, Scarboro missionary Fr. Mike Traher, Fr. Paul McGill, Archbishop Thomas Collins, Sr. Susan Moran, and Isabelle Sisi, executive assistant to Dr. Richard Alway, president of St. Michael’s College. (Photo courtesy of St. Michael’s College.) A house of welcome
Refuge from the streets of Toronto can be hard to come by, but Sr. Susan Moran of Our Lady’s Missionaries is relentless in her pursuit. The co-founder of Toronto’s Out of the Cold program persuaded the University of St. Michael’s College and the Seeds of Hope Foundation to join forces to open Lazarus House, a downtown community of welcome for the poor and homeless. Above: On hand for the blessing are:
L-R, Scarboro missionary Fr. Mike Traher, Fr. Paul McGill, Archbishop Thomas Collins, Sr. Susan Moran, and Isabelle Sisi, executive assistant to Dr. Richard Alway, president of St. Michael’s College. (Photo courtesy of St. Michael’s College.)

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