SMYRNA--Parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle have collected over 4,000 pounds of food for a sister mission in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica.

Four years ago a group from St. Thomas led by their pastor, Father Don Baribeau, MS, visited with Father Richard HoLung and 24 brothers of the Missionaries of the Poor in Kingston. The missionary order, founded by Father HoLung over 15 years ago, has four apostolates in Jamaica as well as in Haiti, India and the Philippines.

During their stay the parishioners participated in the life of the Kingston mission. They scrubbed floors and laundered clothing, changed bandages, and shaved and showered the crippled. After this visit parishioners adopted the Jamaican sister mission and initiated an annual parish-wide collection during which parishioners donate eight food items over a five-week period.

This year’s collection included beans, flour, canned vegetables, potato flakes and canned meat. In addition, parishioners donated 1,700 pairs of shoes. Over 170 members of the parish attended a pancake breakfast held to raise additional funds for the Jamaican mission.

On Sept. 24 Father HoLung and the Missionaries of the Poor will visit St. Thomas the Apostle and perform “The Rock,” a musical based on the life of St. Peter. For further information on the Jamaican mission contact the parish at 432-8579.