By Mary Beth Marino

Excerpts from the Prayer of St. Francis could best describe the atmosphere displayed at the “Homecoming” of the St. Francis Table soup kitchen Sept. 29.

The prayer stresses…where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy; where there is hatred, love; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope…

Lights gleamed brightly on the freshly pained walls of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the St. Francis banner was hung prominently at the entrance to the kitchen, and the hustle and bustle of volunteers showed their excitement as they prepared to emulate St. Francis himself by consoling the hungry.

A destructive fire at the Shrine two years ago forced the relocation of the soup kitchen that is normally located in the basement of the church.

Rev. Carolyn Morris, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, hospitably volunteered the use of her church for the Table until the rebuilt Shrine could bring the street people back home again. Two years later, though very appreciative for the use of the space at Trinity, the parishioners were ready for the doors to be reopened.

Approximately 50 names were scrawled on the sign-in work sheet located at the door. Volunteers represented several parishes: St. John Vianney, Christ the King, Shrine of The Immaculate Conception, All Saints, St. John the Evangelist, Holy Spirit, St. Luke, Sacred Heart and students from the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech. They were all raring to go to work!

A familiar face present for the homecoming was Father Thomas Giblin, O.F.M., former pastor at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

“I wouldn’t miss this homecoming!” the priest stated warmly. Father Giblin’s enthusiasm reflected that of a reunion of old college classmates!

Brenda and Buck Griffin, coordinators for the soup kitchen, were delighted to be home and “in their own kitchen,” so to speak.

“I see a lot of familiar faces standing in line outside,” Brenda said. “But there are also some new ones. In this job, you get to know the street people as though they were your friends,” she commented. If I am walking downtown, often I see someone that visits the soup kitchen regularly and many times, I know them by name.”

Father Alvin Matthews, O.F.M., minister for outreach at the Shrine, was all decked out in his apron and blue jeans ready to greet the street people. This dedicated priest had not missed one Saturday ministering to the poor in the two years the kitchen was housed at Trinity Methodist. Just before the doors opened for business, Father Alvin gathered the volunteers and led them in a communal prayer and assigned work stations. The street people had come home at last!

Each person was served one peanut butter and one salami sandwich, plus all the soup they could eat. Dessert consisted of a chocolate candy bar, a rare treat.

Calling to mind the prayer of St. Francis, looks of despair quickly vanished as hope glowed in the faces of approximately 200 men, women and children.

Sadness was momentarily replaced with joy, as these street people shared a peaceful meal. Smiling faces and compassionate volunteers were obviously filled with love, and responded warmly to the people, making them feel at home.

And finally where doubt had lingered for the street people as to where their next meal might originate from, faith was restored, as the St. Francis Soup Kitchen reopened their doors permanently.

The soup kitchen is open year-round every Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. It is the only soup kitchen available in the downtown metro area on Saturday. Volunteers are always welcomed!