Hundreds of those in need living in the Trenton area received a hot, fresh-cooked meal and a bagged lunch, thanks to the dedicated and compassionate service of diocesan diaconate candidates and elementary students from St. Raphael School, Hamilton.

The groups combined their efforts to support the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, based in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, a program that operates on two Saturdays monthly, when many social service agencies are closed and it is often more difficult for those in need to receive a hot meal.

Deacon Lawrence Finn, associate director of the diocesan Office of Clergy and Consecrated Life, said that the annual service project – which dates back more than two decades – represents a strong effort on the part of diaconate candidates.

“The task that day is to provide a hot meal to approximately 800 of our brothers and sisters who are in need of physical sustenance as well as the nourishment provided through social interaction,” he explained. “An undertaking such as this involves a great deal of planning and a tremendous effort from all those involved.” The candidates procure financing to purchase all of the provisions for this meal in addition to providing each guest with a meal that they can take as they leave.

Deacon Finn said that the candidates are often joined by their wives and members of their family, who pitch in to help the worthy cause and to help “serve this meal with love and respect, thus providing a sense of dignity for their guests.”

Service is a significant part of the ministry, Deacon Finn said.

He referenced a passage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint (“character”) which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the ‘deacon’ or servant of all.”

In addition to the Loaves and Fishes project, diocesan diaconate formation includes opportunities for candidates to minister in hospitals, prisons and with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, among others.

Deacon Finn said that there is a common misconception that the diaconate program is purely concentrated around academics.

“Diaconate formation is very much about service,” he continued. “Candidates are involved in their respective parish communities and serve in many capacities.”

He added that the Loaves and Fishes endeavor is rewarding for participants, who spend countless hours planning for the project, and knocking on doors to collect donations to pay for the various parts of the meal. They also purchase and pick up the food, and clean up after the meal is served.

”They experience that transforming presence of the Lord Jesus in the midst of service – “diakonia,” Deacon Finn said. “They take part in the ‘washing of the feet!’”

This year, St. Raphael School students were at the ready to assist in the project. Together, the students prepared over 1,200 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to assemble more than 600 lunches.

The bag lunches were distributed the following day, after the hot meal was served by the diaconate candidates.

The project drew participation from many corners of the parish and school community, including members of the Life Teen youth group, religious education students, PTA members and parishioners in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton.

Deacon Finn said that perhaps the greatest lesson from the project, for all involved, was compassion.