Homeless Jesus

Advocating for people living on he streets of Toronto

May/June 2014

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Our Lady’s Missionaries and participants of the Eucharistic Celebration of Social Justice last November at Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, take part in a candlelight vigil to recognize the city’s homeless. They gathered in front of the college at the statue of the Homeless Jesus, the work of sculptor Timothy Schmalz. Our Lady’s Missionaries and participants of the Eucharistic Celebration of Social Justice last November at Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, take part in a candlelight vigil to recognize the city’s homeless. They gathered in front of the college at the statue of the Homeless Jesus, the work of sculptor Timothy Schmalz. Our Lady’s Missionaries and participants of the Eucharistic Celebration of Social Justice last November at Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, take part in a candlelight vigil to recognize the city’s homeless. They gathered in front of the college at the statue of the Homeless Jesus, the work of sculptor Timothy Schmalz.

Last November, Regis College at the Toronto School of Theology held a Eucharistic Celebration of Social Justice in its chapel. This was an opportunity to gather in prayer and to raise awareness of the impact of rampant resource extraction around the world and the complicity of Canadian mining companies. The mass was intended to encourage us as Pope Francis did when he said: “Let us be renewed by God’s mercy…and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the Earth, protect all creation, and make justice and peace flourish.”

Sister Susan Moran and members of her team at Out of the Cold, including Kim Curry, David Walsh, and OLM Sisters Joan Missiaen, Cecile Turner, and Mary Hughes, participated in the mass and led a candlelight vigil to recognize the homeless of our city following the celebration.

While the assembly sang “The Cry of the Poor” by John Foley, SJ, people placed roses on Regis College’s sculpture of The Homeless Jesus to commemorate those individuals who die each year in our city because of the challenges they face living on the streets and the lack of adequate shelter from the cold. This winter was one of the worst winters on record and was particularly difficult for all of the homeless in Toronto because of the many bitter cold days and nights.

Following a reading from the Gospel of St. Luke about the Samaritan man who took the time to care for his neighbour, the congregation stood in silence to pray for our neighbours—those children, women, and men who suffer and need our support. It was a very moving service, bringing together people from all walks of life, and encouraging and reminding us that we each have a role to play in helping those in need. Sister Susan Moran is thankful to Regis College, in particular its president, Father Jack Costello, SJ, for their ongoing support of the Out of the Cold program and for organizing this celebration of hope.

Kevin Kelly, S.J.
Regis College

A human connection

It is easy to forget about the marginalized, but cold weather is unforgiving when you have no home. Without Out of the Cold, many homeless people would be out on the streets, riding the buses to stay warm, or sleeping in automatic teller machine (ATM) vestibules until they are discovered and kicked out.

Volunteers at St. Brigid’s parish Out of the Cold program. Above (L-R): Sister Cecile Turner, Bonnie Bruder, Margaret McAndrews, and Sister Joan Missiaen Volunteers at St. Brigid’s parish Out of the Cold program. Above (L-R): Sister Cecile Turner, Bonnie Bruder, Margaret McAndrews, and Sister Joan Missiaen

I have been working in social care for some time and I must say that I find Out of the Cold a very unique and effective program. Besides the hot meal and a bed, there is also friendly human interaction. Often a person on the street is ignored, judged, and isolated from the rest of society. At Out of the Cold the meal is served by volunteers, and while the connections made with the guests might appear superficial, they resonate much deeper, more than the volunteers might realize.

Human contact is essential for a person’s mental well-being. During the meals there is so much talking that the noise level gets very high, but I enjoy this cacophony of sound. I see guests and volunteers passing the time, making small talk. I see the camaraderie of guests sharing stories of the day’s triumphs and hurts. For the staff and volunteers I see the care and effort put into their actions and interactions with the guests. To me it feels like a large family dinner, where you say hello to old friends and catch up on what’s been going on.

Brenton Bentz
St. Brigid’s parish Out of the Cold program

L-R: Brenton Bentz, Margaret Sciberas, and Sisters Susan Moran and Clarice Garvey. St. Brigid’s parish Out of the Cold program. Toronto. L-R: Brenton Bentz, Margaret Sciberas, and Sisters Susan Moran and Clarice Garvey. St. Brigid’s parish Out of the Cold program. Toronto.
Joe Capo (left) and Jason Canuel Joe Capo (left) and Jason Canuel

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’”

(Matthew 8:20)

Monica Donovan (left) and Lori Chysky Monica Donovan (left) and Lori Chysky

Out of the Cold volunteers

Several OLM Sisters and friends of OLMs volunteer at the St. Brigid’s parish Out of the Cold program on Monday evenings. Everyone who is involved with Out of the Cold longs for the day when the program will no longer be needed because there is no one having to live on the streets. In the meantime the generosity shown by the many volunteers is truly amazing. There is much gratitude not only for all that they do but most of all for how they are present to the guests who come to share a meal and spend a night.

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