Celebrating “Anniversary” in the Inner City

Each Sunday of the year, hundreds of Inner City People are fed a meal through the ministry of ‘Inner City Pastoral Ministry’. These meals have been prepared by Churches and other groups for more than 25 years. Each Sunday has its own uniqueness and blessing.

The Sunday immediately before Christmas is a challenging one for volunteers so the Sisters of Charity I.C. and Associates decided to offer this service as part of the celebration of our 150th Anniversary year.

Saturday, December 20th, was food preparation time. Thanks to our Associate Coby Veeken and the beautiful facilities of ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish’, we were able to accomplish the task. It was a blessing for us that OLPH provides this service to ‘Inner City Pastoral Ministry’ several times each year and so was able to simplify the procedure for us. The food was refrigerated in the parish and transported to the Bissell Centre on Sunday morning.

Sisters and Associates prepared the food for serving, joined in Sunday worship, then served the lunch with care and great kindness. Many experienced the wonderful humor that is so often found in the Inner City.

It was a joy to be able to share something of ourselves and our resources with those whose days bring so many challenges … and they in turn continue to share their humor, their wisdom, and their experience with us.

‘You must serve poor people with great charity and gentleness so that they will see that you go to help them with hearts full of compassion for them.’ Vincent de Paul

February 19th, 2004 

Over the years many Sisters of Charity and Associates have accompanied persons at the Learning Centre in Edmonton as they improved their reading and writing skills.  On February 19th, 2004, a '150th Birthday Party' was held at the Learning Centre ... part of our Anniversary Celebrations.

A presentation was made by Sisters Gertrude and Aline describing the beginnings of our congregation and the places where we serve.  Participants asked excellent questions and made very interesting comments.  They presented us with songs, best wishes, and kind words as did the staff and volunteers.  Cake and ice cream were enjoyed by all ... Participants, Staff, Volunteers, Sisters of Charity, and Associates ... as well as time for wonderful conversations. 

We were presented with a card commemorating our 150th Anniverary: 'The mission of The Learning Centre Literacy Association is to "engage people in community based learning and literacy development that further enables them to make positive changes for themselves and their communities."  In keeping with this mission, staff, volunteers, and participants work together to offer a range of opportunities to support personal and community development.  The Sisters of Charity, members and supporters, have long supported this work through their volunteer commitments.