Parish honors new Holy Father's election by reaching out to the poor
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Mary Stadnyk | News Editor
In commemoration of the election of Pope Francis and following the new Holy Father’s example of ministering to the poor, St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, held a food drive to benefit outreach agencies that help persons in need on a local level.
Click HERE to view video.
Click HERE to view gallery of photos.
The April 14 food drive, during which non-perishable food items were collected, was a collaborative effort coordinated by the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul conference and members of the Lawrence Council, Knights of Columbus.
The idea for the food drive in honor of Pope Francis was initiated by Msgr. R. Vincent Gartland, pastor, in recognition of how the pope: “has certainly made his care and concern for the poor a dominant theme of his ministry as the Bishop of Rome.”
Msgr. Gartland smiled as he recalled how the Holy Father had asked friends in Argentina not to make the trip to Rome for his installation and instead use the money to assist the poor.
Through that gesture, “Pope Francis is setting an example for all of us,” said Msgr. Gartland. “St. Ann Parish is excited and inspired by Pope Francis and the food drive provided a very practical and concrete way that we could show our love and appreciation for him.”
“His calling attention to our responsibility toward our sisters and brothers in need has set a powerful example for us. As a parish, we look forward to finding other ways to follow his example,” stated Msgr. Gartland.
Jeff Bourne, grand knight of the Lawrence Council, noted that although St. Ann Parish hosts a food collection on the second Sunday of each month, for the April 14 food drive, parishioners were encouraged to step up their donations and perhaps double the amount of their normal contributions of food.
“The parish tries to help many food ministries in the area as possible, so this drive was a good way to supplement what the parish already does,” said Bourne. The Knights and St. Vincent de Paul conference have collaborated in past outreach projects such as collecting turkeys for Thanksgiving for needy families at Mercer High School, Trenton, and to collect food and clothing for people impacted by Superstorm Sandy last fall.
Bourne tallied that there was enough to fill a van, an SUV and another car. The food was delivered to Mount Carmel Guild, a diocesan ministry based in inner-city Trenton. The guild was able to send a van to St. Ann Parish to “pick up even more food.”
Bourne echoed Msgr. Gartland’s sentiments, saying newly-elected Pope Francis, is a man who “comes from a pretty humble background and he seems to be a ‘pope for the people.’” Bourne commended the St. Ann parishioners for their spirit and willingness to help the poor.
“The parishioners were generous,” he said. “There are no ifs, ands or buts about that.”
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By Mary Stadnyk | News Editor
In commemoration of the election of Pope Francis and following the new Holy Father’s example of ministering to the poor, St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, held a food drive to benefit outreach agencies that help persons in need on a local level.
Click HERE to view video.
Click HERE to view gallery of photos.
The April 14 food drive, during which non-perishable food items were collected, was a collaborative effort coordinated by the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul conference and members of the Lawrence Council, Knights of Columbus.
The idea for the food drive in honor of Pope Francis was initiated by Msgr. R. Vincent Gartland, pastor, in recognition of how the pope: “has certainly made his care and concern for the poor a dominant theme of his ministry as the Bishop of Rome.”
Msgr. Gartland smiled as he recalled how the Holy Father had asked friends in Argentina not to make the trip to Rome for his installation and instead use the money to assist the poor.
Through that gesture, “Pope Francis is setting an example for all of us,” said Msgr. Gartland. “St. Ann Parish is excited and inspired by Pope Francis and the food drive provided a very practical and concrete way that we could show our love and appreciation for him.”
“His calling attention to our responsibility toward our sisters and brothers in need has set a powerful example for us. As a parish, we look forward to finding other ways to follow his example,” stated Msgr. Gartland.
Jeff Bourne, grand knight of the Lawrence Council, noted that although St. Ann Parish hosts a food collection on the second Sunday of each month, for the April 14 food drive, parishioners were encouraged to step up their donations and perhaps double the amount of their normal contributions of food.
“The parish tries to help many food ministries in the area as possible, so this drive was a good way to supplement what the parish already does,” said Bourne. The Knights and St. Vincent de Paul conference have collaborated in past outreach projects such as collecting turkeys for Thanksgiving for needy families at Mercer High School, Trenton, and to collect food and clothing for people impacted by Superstorm Sandy last fall.
Bourne tallied that there was enough to fill a van, an SUV and another car. The food was delivered to Mount Carmel Guild, a diocesan ministry based in inner-city Trenton. The guild was able to send a van to St. Ann Parish to “pick up even more food.”
Bourne echoed Msgr. Gartland’s sentiments, saying newly-elected Pope Francis, is a man who “comes from a pretty humble background and he seems to be a ‘pope for the people.’” Bourne commended the St. Ann parishioners for their spirit and willingness to help the poor.
“The parishioners were generous,” he said. “There are no ifs, ands or buts about that.”