God multiplies gifts, Archbishop Miller says

By Laureen McMahon

Next to St. Paul's Church, in the middle of Vancouver's notorious skid row, is a safe harbour for the homeless and the suffering called The Door is Open.

Here recovering drunks and drug addicts, the mentally challenged, and those struggling to put their lives back together can have a meal and a chance to interact with others, or a chance to just sit still and be warm and at peace for a few hours.

Since 1984, the East Cordova Street outreach has been operated by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Vancouver to provide a place of refuge. As usually happens during the cold and wet fall and winter months, the number of patrons has swelled considerably, said director Julia Ruggier.

The Door is Open does not receive any government funding and relies on the good will of people in the Catholic and wider community.

Many have stepped forward to give some much-needed volunteer time as well as money, and three weeks before Christmas, Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Miller brought Advent greetings wrapped up in a message of gratitude when he offered the Mass at St. Paul's for 80 Door is Open volunteers.

Building a core and dependable volunteer group over the years, said former director Brother Tim MacDonald, SA, who retired last year after a decade and a half of service, has increased the ability of The Door is Open "to bring empathy, compassion, and quality care to those who look to (us) for help and understanding."

"Today," Archbishop Miller told the volunteers on Dec. 5, "we honour your care for the marginalized and those in need, (which is) your generous witness to the Gospel of Christ."

The volunteers, he added, display the willing spirit of Catholic charity through their concern, which goes far beyond just offering technically proper care.

"You never forget that The Door is Open deals with human beings who need humanity ... who need your heartfelt concern."

The Door is Open, the archbishop added, carries on the work of Church teachings aimed at promoting the dignity of each and every person.

"We work side by side with those in need as a necessary consequence of our faith in the Lord Jesus, a faith which takes on new life through our concrete gestures of love."

It is a love, the archbishop added, that is freely given.

"A pure and generous love is the best witness to the God in Whom we believe and by Whom we are enabled to love."

The Holy Father's encyclical on love, said the archbishop, tells us, "`A Christian knows when it is time to speak of God and when it is better to say nothing and to let love alone speak. He knows that God is love and that God's presence is felt at the very time when the only thing we do is to love.'"

The Gospels, said the archbishop, shine light on Jesus's tender mercy to those afflicted by disease and suffering.

In the Sermon on the Mount it was Jesus, he reminded the volunteers, "Who noticed their plight, their hunger for spiritual and material food, when He said, `I have compassion for the crowd'" (Mt. 15:32).

Like the apostles, Archbishop Miller added, we too worry about not having enough to give the needy. However, the Gospels tell us to trust in God to provide.

"Jesus's message and miracle is one of abundance, not scarcity," the archbishop reiterated.

"In His kingdom, it is not dividing the pie equally that counts, a kind of political vision, but being aware that those who love can do great things. Love multiplies when it is given away. Remember, there was even bread left over!"

In other words, added the archbishop, we cannot and ought not to limit what the goodness of God can accomplish.

"The Eucharist itself is the ultimate sign and realization of God's generosity, His squandering of Himself for us on the Cross which is perpetuated now on our altar.

"There is no limit to His self-giving, and He calls us to the same generosity and love, especially in the season of Advent or pre-Christmas, which awakens in every heart a quiver of joy and the light of hope. Thank you for giving life to that hope and joy."

After the Mass the volunteers were treated to a luncheon catered and paid for by the Knights of Columbus Council from St. Andrew Kim Church.

The Door is Open, in addition to the free lunch program, runs a seniors' wellness group, a women's group, an Alcoholics Anonymous group, and an evening video program, among others, and it provides information on accessing support services.

To volunteer or to make a contribution, Catholic Charities can be contacted at 604-683-0281, or cheques can be mailed to The Door is Open c/o Catholic Charities, 150 Robson Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2A7