By Ron Kuzlik
'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' (Matthew 25:35-36)
And during this season of Lent, we are asked to pray, fast and to give alms, that is, giving time, talent or money to those in need.
At St James Catholic Church in Marylebone, parishioners engage in almsgiving not only during Lent, but throughout the entire year with programmes offered by at least two organisations whose mission is to provide relief and support to homeless and marginalised persons.
Kate MacKenzie is the London Coordinator for the Companions of the Order of Malta.
'The Companions of the Order of Malta is the auxiliary volunteer force for delivering the charitable work of the Order of Malta in Great Britain. Our mission is to practise our faith and to practise charity.'
They set up, organise and run the Companions Café, Spanish Place in Marylebone on Monday and Thursday evenings and offer food, care and conversation to local homeless guests.
There are approximately 45 homeless guests on a Monday and between 80-90 homeless guests on a Thursday evening. Take-away food and drink is also offered to extra guests who arrive late or where the numbers have overrun seating accommodation.
'The Companions run all our own projects,' MacKenzie says. 'And we are supported by other charities for the food we serve. For example, the Felix Project donates supper twice a month on Thursdays.
'Other companies help with food, too, such as Hoares Bank who donate one meal a month on Mondays.'
The meal menu varies but may consist of a starter such as French bread and pate, or ham and melon or crackers with cream cheese. The main course might be shepherd’s pie and peas or chicken curry with rice and vegetables. There are vegetarian options too. Various desserts are offered like puddings, fruit crumble, custard, ice cream, cheesecake and berries.
'The Companions of the Order of Malta launched this project in 2013,' MacKenzie explains. 'All the Companions projects are run by teams of volunteers, about 25 volunteers on any given Monday and about 35 volunteers on Thursdays.'
But they are not the only ministry serving those less fortunate.
According to St. Vincent de Paul Society, St James’s Spanish Place President & Coordinator Sharon Joseph, the St Vincent de Paul Society at St. James’s has organised a soup run for over 30 years.
'We offer our food both in Marylebone and Lincoln’s Inn Square twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays.
'We serve over 160 individuals per week, serving soups, sandwiches, salads and small meals along with tea, coffee and lemonade.'
Additionally, clothing, toiletries and trainers are available.
'Our "Soup Run" relies on donations,' Joseph said. 'We continue our work feeding the homeless and those living with food, clothing and housing insecurity.'
Msgr. Philip Whitmore is the rector of St. James’s Spanish Place. He applauds the work of these outreach ministries, especially during this Holy Season of Lent.
'It is excellent that the parish SVP and the Companions of the Order of Malta make such good use of our premises in order to prepare and serve food for the homeless and the needy,” Whitmore says.
'There are many dimensions to the Christian life, but this is a most important one which should not be overlooked.'
For more information on outreach programmes at St. James’s Spanish Place, go to: https://www.sjrcc.org.uk/calendar
