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April 2008
ST. JOSEPH/ST. PATRICK CHURCH OPENS SOUP KITCHEN TO HELP NEEDY
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Not long ago Blessed Marianne's home parish in Utica, New York, initiated the Blessed Marianne Cope Book Shoppe in its church vestibule where Catholic books, DVD's, CH's, gifts, cards have been made available. Dedicated volunteers are now cooperating in a new effort of good works entitled the Mother Marianne West Side Kitchen to serve the poor and homeless out of St. Joseph/St. Patrick Parish in West Utica. Soup and sandwiches are served Monday through Fridays from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. On Saturdays there is a bag lunch and on Sundays the parish offers a coffee hour following the 10:30 Mass.
A coordinating committee, led by Deacon Gilbert Nadeau, with the strong support of the parish administrator, Father Richard Dellos, organized the operation. More than a dozen persons volunteered immediately to be of assistance and went through a week-long preparatory opening before the grand opening took place on the feast of Saint Patrick, March 17th. The volunteer group includes parishioners, members of the Secular Franciscan Order and friends interested in the parish.
The soup kitchen is named for Mother Marianne who attended St. Joseph School for five years. The parish center has a beautiful window commemorating her time at the school as well another representative window depicting her caring for the sick poor. A parish book authenticates the claim that she was the first member of the parish to become a secular Franciscan. The valiant woman of God who spent more than two decades living in West Utica before entering the Sisters of Saint Francis in Syracuse needs one miracle verified for sainthood.
Bishop James Moynihan has sent well deserved letters of congratulation to the parish acknowledging the heartfelt indebtedness of those who are served as well as his own appreciation. Prayers for continued success of the soup kitchen are needed because the parish has to make it on its own for six months before being eligible for FEMA assistance.
Bravo to those involved in this effort and to those who help support it. As Blessed Marianne wrote in a card of thanks to those who assisted in efforts to help the poor, "We humbly pray that the Bestower of all good may amply reward all for their generosity."
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St. Joseph-St. Patrick soup kitchen helps needy