By Brian Durham, Special To the Bulletin

SMYRNA—Thoughts of Jamaica often bring to mind the island’s picturesque beaches and clear waters depicted in travel brochures for vacationers and honeymooners.

While this is one aspect of the island, and the appearance most often conveyed, what lies behind this facade is anything but tranquil and idyllic.

In the poverty-stricken and impoverished quarters of Jamaica, the hands-on and helpful work of the Missionaries of the Poor, and those who support them, carry out the commands and dictates of the Gospels, indeed the commands of Christ.

In a missionary program started years ago in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica, over 400 homeless are tenderly and lovingly cared for by these dedicated followers of Christ, an order founded by Father Richard HoLung. In dedicated and joyous service, the Missionaries of the Poor offer food, personal care, housing and clothing to the poor and abandoned.

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, on King Springs Road in Smyrna, began “twinning” with the Missionaries of the Poor in 1991. Father James Caffrey, MS, pastor, has led a team of parishioners to work and pray among the poorest of the poor in Kingston.

From beans and bed sheets, to peanut butter and egg-laying chickens, sometimes totaling in tons, the needed supplies are gathered in the parish, with Lenten spirit.

This year parishioners collected and packed over 10,000 pounds in 250 boxes. Basic food needs such as flour, beans, pasta and instant potatoes were brought to the parish community hall during Lent. The children of the school of religion collected toothbrushes, gauze, soap, toothpaste and diapers. The Knights of Columbus added sheets and mops.

Giving is not limited to this penitential time of year. The Missionary Brothers of the Poor and St. Thomas the Apostle work with the Giving Tree program and collect items of all sorts for the 400 men and women. An annual fall visit to Jamaica is open to all parishioners and encouraged, not only to further assist the Missionaries, but to allow parishioners to have the faith experience of seeing Christ in the poor. These visits and the Missionaries’ selfless outreach serve as a wake-up call regarding our own, often forgotten, blessings.

Meeting four to six times a year, both parish and non-parish volunteers plan out their courses of action for the upcoming drives and chart out the best possible approach to fulfilling the tasks at hand.

Prayer is always welcome, encouraged and sought out. Much is needed for the brothers and sisters as they assist the destitute, as well as for the destitute themselves.

The time of as many as possible and the talent of all is needed and wanted. Many hands are already serving through the brothers and the volunteers, but many more are needed.

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus says, “As often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.” This opportunity to carry out the Gospel command is available to as many as are drawn to respond.

Brian Durham is active in the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish ministry to Jamaica.