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By Greg Ollick, Special To The Bulletin
LILBURN—The St. John Neumann Parish Outreach Ministry with
its fervent support for the Missionaries of the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica, is a
shining example of the Spirit of God alive in Christian community.
This vibrant and dedicated parish ministry has been supporting the
Missionaries of the Poor for the last two years. Their support takes several
forms including prayer, bi-yearly mission trips, clothing and supply drives and
fund raisers like “One Jamaican Evening.”
The event at St. John Neumann Regional School Saturday, June 2
drew around 270 people and raised over $8,800 for the Missionaries of the Poor.
The evening included an authentic Jamaican meal, a silent auction of over 100
items donated by local area businesses and crafters, and a special appearance
from Father Ho Lung and Friends.
Jamaican-born of Chinese decent, Father Ho Lung is the founder of
the order of the Missionaries of the Poor. He also writes compelling modern
Christian music with a decided Caribbean flair. His group of singers is known
worldwide.
The SJN parish community united their efforts for the Missionaries
of the Poor by providing special “ministry” baskets for the silent
auction. A “rainy summer day” basket loaded with toys and crafts for
toddlers was donated by the Mom’s Circle. Life Teen donated a basket
packed with necessities for the graduate. Religious education donated a basket
including a Divine Mercy portrait and the engaged ministry donated a romantic
getaway package.
“We were successful beyond our wildest dreams and we are
overwhelmed by the support and generosity of this community through the clear
movement of the Holy Spirit,” said ministry leader Jack Marder. “This
event was a team effort by our ministry members who worked diligently and
tirelessly to make all the many details of this project come together so
perfectly. God love them all.”
The St. John Neumann Outreach Ministry will add the funds raised
by this event to the over $38,000 that they have raised so far this year to
help the Missionaries of the Poor build the “Nazareth Home” project
for street children in Kingston.
The Missionaries of the Poor will establish a home to care for and
nurture those children in the community of central Kingston who have been
neglected by their families, their relatives and by the wider society. The
proposed project is an extension of one of their four existing facilities. The
project entails the renovation of an existing structure located adjacent to
“The Lord’s Place.” The SJN Outreach Ministry’s objective
is to assist in the funding of this renovation.
When completed and operational the children’s home will be
equipped with full service residential facilities, including dormitories,
library, study area, kitchen and recreation room and will house over 150
children between the ages of 5 and 15. These children will escape the
destructive street environment and be provided with a clean, healthy, stable,
safe and secure environment during their formative years.
Living the Gospel of Jesus means constant solidarity with those in
need. This is the social mission of the church and it extends beyond the parish
to the family, the community, the workplace and the world.
The church applauds this work of charity and social justice. Msgr.
James Fennessy, the pastor, said, “I give them my encouragement and full
support. Just look at the Christian community here and ‘see how much they
love one another.’”
Greg Ollick is a parishioner at St. John Neumann Church and a
master catechist of the archdiocese. |
