By Monsignor Noel C. Burtenshaw

Brenda Griffin was saddened. Not only had she lost her parish church, she lost her brand new program of outreach to Atlanta's downtown street poor.

"We had started the Saturday morning lunch program, called St. Francis Table, for the hungry last year," said Brenda, a Catholic convert and mother of three. "The fire seemed to bring the program to an end, just as we had good volunteers lined and all was going so well."

But just as Central Presbyterian Church next door rescued Sunday morning Mass for the I.C. parishioners, Trinity Methodist, another neighbor located just down the street, rescued the hot lunch program.

"It is wonderful," says a delighted Brenda. "The pastor of Trinity, Rev. Carolyn Morris, called Archbishop Donnellan and offered their kitchen and cafeteria for the program. It's just great and gives new life to our efforts for the poor."

When Immaculate Conception began the St. Francis Table on Saturdays last year, Trinity initiated its own program on Sundays. "It was exactly what the city needed," says Brenda. St. Luke's had a program Monday through Friday. We had it on Saturday and Trinity on Sunday. With our volunteers and our food collections, the program will continue in Trinity." So, the St. Francis Table will reopen at the new location on Saturday, August 21 at the regular morning time, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. "We want our volunteers there as usual at 9," says Brenda. "They can even use the City Hall parking lot which is free on weekends."

The Saturday morning program, serving the homeless and poor, serves up to 300 people each week. Soup, sandwiches, coffee and a treat are offered to the guests. Volunteers from all over the city give their Saturdays to the program.

Sometimes we find we have food left over," says Brenda. "Now Trinity can use that food on Sundays in their program. It has all worked out fine. We are most grateful to the Rev. Morris."

Trinity Methodists are happy to help out and keep this vital program going. They are also happy that they can now use the big soup pots belonging to the St. Francis Table for their program on Sundays.

"Everybody's happy," says Brenda Griffin, "and the work and the outreach of the Immaculate Conception and our friends just keeps rolling along."

But more friends are needed. Become one by calling Brenda at 404-237-7379, or the Shrine at 404-521-1866.