Leave no one a stranger

Before the pandemic started, people in our church decided to make soup to sell to help the St. Vincent de Paul Society. There were many in need of services, and funds were getting low, so this was a way that our church community was able to help.

During the pandemic, we as a church community also wanted to find ways to reach out to others who were lonely, ill or in need of some food. We decided together with other parish members to make soup and distribute it after Sunday Masses once a month.

It was announced at Mass that anyone could take soup for themselves, their family, a neighbor, anyone who was sick or alone. They did not need to pay for the soup, but if they would like, they could give a donation. I loved the idea since many who wanted soup were not able to afford it.

So, many people would donate more than what we would have sold it for, and others who had little money were so happy to receive the soup. The total collected always ended up with more than enough funds needed to make more soup for the next month.

Our church has been preparing soup now for the last two years monthly from September to March. The goal was to reach out to the community to let everyone know that we here at St. Mary Magdalene cared.

One parish member brought soup to her neighbor. He was very touched by this and wanted to know who made it. When he found out it was from our parish, he started to come to Mass.