Diaconia
Online

Volume XXII
Number 3
October, 2002

Life at the Food Pantry

Early in my first Diaconate assignment at St. Agnes in Arlington my pastor, Father Brian Flatley, encouraged me to let my instincts to lead me to wherever I felt diaconal ministry would be appropriate. 

During my first visit to the pantry in early summer 1997, I met a very pleasant woman who seemed to be in charge, and it wasn’t too long before she asked if there was any way I could possibly help her.   This was the beginning of my weekly volunteer work at the Arlington Food Pantry.

The Arlington food pantry has existed since 1991 and is located in the basement of the Church of Our Savior on Marathon Street in Arlington.  It is fully supported by donations, both food and financial, from Arlington residents, as well as government, church, social, and public and private organizations. 

The pantry is staffed and managed by volunteers, some of whom are also clients who wish to give something back for what they receive.  Four of us have taken the responsibility for the organization and management of the food pantry.  Marge and Warren Johnson, Nan Enos, and I have been working as the food pantry’s management team for approximately five years.  A dedicated staff of some thirty volunteers without whom nothing would be possible assists us.

The food pantry provides supplemental food assistance to about one hundred and fifty Arlington families.  Most of our clients are elderly, out of work, or single parents with meager incomes.  To receive food assistance, a person need only show evidence of their Arlington residency.  The food pantry is open to its clients two mornings a month; however, a family is scheduled to receive assistance only once a month unless there are extenuating circumstances, in which case they may come to the pantry as often as needed.

Donations are brought to the pantry on Friday afternoons where volunteers help  the donors transfer food from their automobiles to the pantry intake tables.  We screen the donations to ensure freshness, and stock them in shelves in a manner similar to the way a supermarket stocks new food supplies.  All food donations are non-perishable because there is no refrigeration capability in the food pantry.  In addition to non-perishable food items, the pantry also distributes paper goods and personal products such as toothpaste, razor blades, soap, shampoo, etc.  Also, we have two large freezers that allow us to take donations of freshly baked bread from Pepperidge Farm in Belmont.

On distribution days, our clients typically leave with at least four full shopping bags of food and other products.  We provide shopping carts for their convenience, and when they have concluded their shopping, we carry their shopping bags to their vehicles.  If they do not drive, and their residence is within walking distance, we will assist them to their residence.  Also, a small  number of deliveries are made to those who are homebound.

Throughout the year, different organizations in Arlington sponsor food drives, car washes, and other fundraisers to benefit the food pantry.  Each year, the Arlington interfaith association, of which Saint Agnes Church is a member, holds an interfaith Thanksgiving service and donates the offerings to the food pantry.  These are just some of the ways the people of Arlington look after their less fortunate.  In the five years I’ve been associated with the food pantry, we’ve never once had to cancel a food distribution due to a shortage of food.

The work I am blessed to be able to do at the food pantry has opened up many other avenues of ministry to me.  Using the food pantry client list, I am able to work with other parish organizations such as the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, the Ladies Sodality, and the Arlington Catholic Women’s Club, to help provide direct assistance to those most in need.   Although family privacy is of utmost importance, the food pantry client list serves as a source of information for the parish’s annual distribution of Thanksgiving dinner baskets, as well as its Christmas giving tree project.   Occasionally, individuals who desire to do something special for a family in need have contacted me to ask that I locate such a family, and serve as a conduit for their particular donation.  I am always humbled by the trust these individuals place in me.

Having worked at the food pantry for these past years, I have become a familiar face and a trusted friend to many of our clients.  Because of these relationships, and knowing that I am a deacon, many of the individuals who frequent the food pantry seek me out when they’re hurting either materially or spiritually.   Thank God, in most cases, I can usually be of some assistance; some have even participated in Saint Agnes’ RCIA process.  What a blessing!

Working at the Arlington food pantry is, without a doubt, a most rewarding experience for me.  In the midst of so much disappointment and struggle in our world these days, it’s truly beautiful to see the way volunteers, clients, and the community at large come together to live out the gospel message of helping those in need.   I thank God for the privilege to be involved in this wonderful work, and I pray it may continue. 

Frank Mandosa ’96

From the Director

The following is a diversion from my usual column. It is not about deacons or the diaconate program, but it is certainly about the parameters of “diaconia”.

Oftentimes living the Gospel can be quite challenging and even dangerous. Consider Ellen. She works for the Archdiocese of Boston, and she is a young woman who takes her faith quite seriously.

  A few weeks ago, Ellen told me that she witnessed a crime in a small grocery store in her inner city neighborhood.   A man was chased into the store and beaten by another man whose gang waited outside.  Ellen said the aggressor pummeled the other man viciously until the victim fell to the floor. Then he began to kick the victim in the head.  It was then that Ellen, who can be described as “slight” in stature, could tolerate the violence no longer.  She intervened!

 Ellen stepped between the aggressor and the man being beaten, and began to shout at the aggressor until he ran out of the store.  The beaten man insisted that no one notify the police, so this violent scenario ended as quickly as it began.  

 Ellen was unharmed, and as we talked the next day, I asked myself the same questions that you might be asking as you read this.  “Was that the right thing to do?”  “Was it foolhardy to intervene?” “ Wouldn’t my own safety be the priority?”  “What would Jesus do?” 

 Ellen was so distressed by the violence of a human person, a stranger, being beaten by another that she felt compelled to respond.   As we talked, I could think of at least ten “good, sensible” reasons to avoid involvement.  Ellen showed me one reason to intervene- the Gospel!  A hallmark of diaconia is a profound sense of compassion for another, particularly one who is in distress, that compels us to respond.  For most of us, this response will not include violence or jeopardize our safety.   For Ellen, this response could have required the ultimate sacrifice- her life!  What would Jesus do?  What would you do?

Deacon Leo Donoghue, ‘92

Visiting A Mosque

As part of the Sixth Annual Summer Institute sponsored by the Pastoral Institute in June of this year, our group of about 15 parish lay leaders and clergy had the opportunity to visit the Islamic Center of New England in Quincy.  We were hospitably received by Imam Talal Eid and were refreshed with coffee and doughnuts.  As I listened to the Imam’s presentation I was struck with how little I really understood of the faith of Islam, those “…adorers of God according to the conception of monotheism, the Muslim religion especially, deserving of our admiration for all that is true and good in their worship of God.” (Ecclesiam Suam 107, August 6, 1964.)

The Imam spoke of the life of a Muslim in prayer and fasting, of their care in protecting the modesty of women (often in dispute) with the veil, and of the three parts of their faith, the Koran, which is unalterable, the Hadid, or their tradition, and the law or Sharia.  He also spoke of the injustices of the past and of their need to defend themselves from persecution.  Our mutual history has often been one of hatred and suspicion, with September 11 only the latest incident, and now we are called in an urgent way to learn from each other in faithful dialogue. 

John Paul II speaks in the document Novo Millennio Ineunte 55, January 6, 2001…”This dialogue must continue…it is obvious that this dialogue will be especially important in establishing a sure basis for peace and warding off the dread specter of those wars of religion which have so often bloodied human history.  The name of the one God must become increasingly what it is: a name of peace and a summons to peace.”

We learned of Islam’s reverence for Mary, the mother of Jesus, and of how Islam regards Jesus, as a great prophet, but without divine status.  As we entered the rooms and spaces leading to the prayer room, we noticed several children with their instructors, both inside and outside the building.  The prayer room was carpeted and plain, with a simple lectern elevated in one corner of the room.  On the walls were some framed objects of Islamic faith, such as the entire Koran in Arabic in microscopic lettering.  The floor was carefully inscribed with taped rows, on which one would be careful to align oneself in prayerful posture.  The women would pray, we were told, in an adjacent room with closed-circuit TV, or they would assemble to the rear of the prayer room behind the men.

As we were about to leave, a young barefoot man entered and began to pray and kneel and bow toward the East as Muslims do throughout the world.  He seemed oblivious of us, and his style of prayer spoke of sincerity. Despite the strangeness of this worship space, the devotion and faithfulness to the hours of prayer to the one God of Abraham were a lesson to me in fidelity. 

We left with our thoughts, I hope, mirroring the words of the Holy Father as he arrived in Syria in May of 2001;  “Today, in a world that is increasingly complex and interdependent, there is a need for a new spirit of dialogue and cooperation between Christians and Muslims.  Together we acknowledge the one indivisible God, the creator of all that exists.”  I think we did that on the day of our visit to Quincy.

Leo Martin, ‘77

Class of 1977 - 25 Years Later

Dick Bowley is adjusting to a defibrillator but continues his ministry at All Saints Parish in Haverhill. On occasion you can see Dick on BCTV proclaiming the gospel at the Sunday Liturgy with Cardinal Law.

John Capomaccio is on sick leave but ministering all the same and Angie is a faithful participant in the women’s retreat each year.

Luis and Lydia Casillas are leaders of the Hispanic community at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. In addition to being an excellent chef, Luis is a very active deacon at the Cathedral. He is present to the Hispanic community for their Liturgy on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Gene and Rene Counihan have senior deacon status but they continue their faithful service of over 30 years at the Fernald School in Waltham. Recovered from a serious bike accident, Gene is back cycling and has logged over 700 miles so far this year. Nice going, Gene!

Jim and Lee Crump are back ministering in their home parish St. Patrick’s Natick. Lee is a teacher at Natick High School.

Frank and Jennie D’Ambrosio despite senior deacon status continue to serve and worship in their home parish of St. Bernard’s, Concord. Frank continues his professional career as an ophthalmologist. Frank claims to be the “elder” of his class.

Francis Egan has been a roving deacon. He recently moved back to Massachusetts only to return again to his much loved Maine. He is deacon at St. Joseph’s Parish in Bridgton, Maine.

Gerry and Marguerite Gagne have been ministering at Sacred Parish in Lawrence since ordination though they spend some part of the winter in the sunny south.

John and Josephine Hardy continue to minister in their home parish, Sacred Heart, Lynn. They are also experienced travelers. Hawaii was their most recent trip and left Josephine suffering from a bad knee. John is doing a special ministry with the Lynn police department working with vulnerable youth. They were the honorees at recent Gala for the 100^th anniversary of Sacred Heart School.

Carolyn and Tony Juliano enjoyed seeing all their classmates again. Tony is on the faculty at Bishop Fenwick High School. His deacon assignment is at St. Adelaide’s Parish in Peabody.

Neil and Gen Lacey have senior deacon status but continue to minister at St. George’s Parish in Saxonville. They also assist the office staff by interviewing men and their wives in the application process for Diaconate.

Leo and Joyce Martin are both very involved in Church. Joyce is the principal at Our Lady of Grace School in Everett. Leo just moved back to his home parish St. John the Baptist in Peabody. He is preparing to deliver his first homily in Spanish. Leo is a frequent contributor to Diaconia, a storyteller and a very active deacon.

Joe and Gerry Messina reside in Westwood where Joe is deacon at St. Margaret Mary Church. Gerry is busy loving and caring for grandchildren while Joe gives invaluable assistance as Associate Director of the Diaconate with personnel needs as his major focus. His service is without recompense.

Bill Nagle is ministering at St. Joseph’s Parish, Kingston. Bill is a devotee of St. Faustinas and the Chaplet of Our Lady of Mercy. Jill is a faithful participant at the Wives’ Day of Recollection.

Ed and Gerine Quigley enjoy senior deacon status after serving 25 years of diaconal ministry at St. John’s Parish in Canton. In addition to doing the traditional Diaconate duties, Ed is engaged in Charismatic prayer groups. Like many of the senior deacons, Ed keeps busy with church ministry.

Alice and Allan Ramey enjoy senior deacon status but Al continues to serve the Marionite community at St. Anthony’s in Lawrence. Before retirement Al and Alice gave much time and energy at St. Basil’s Seminary in Methuen. Their daughter-in-law, Marita Ramey, died suddenly last September. Alice is concerned now for her 6 motherless grandchildren.

John and Ella Ryan enjoy senior deacon status at St. Joseph’s Parish Medway. Despite some serious health problems, they are doing wonderful ministry with the elderly. John continues to read and learn and is desirous to spread the Good News.

Martin and Bess Walsh have senior deacon status at St. Ann’s Parish in Peabody. Martin is a quiet unassuming gentleman. In addition to preaching, baptizing, assisting at Liturgy, he functions as business manager for the parish. Bess is his strong and faithful companion in these ministries.

Bill Wildes has senior deacon status at St. Bridget’s in Lexington where he continues to minister. He is very much missed by his colleagues in the Diaconate office. Much of his year is spent in Florida where he enjoys reading, writing, and keeping abreast of all things diaconal. He has a ministry of presence to many of our “snow birds”.

Ann McCarthy, wife of our deceased Deacon John McCarthy continues with her nursing career at Union Hospital, Lynn and manifests a wonderful diaconal spirit to those she serves. Ann is a great family person and loves camping with the family.

Carol Ann Geyer, wife of deceased Deacon Frederick Geyer, and her daughter, Angela were among the Cardinal’s guests. Carol is principal of the Ohrenberger School in West Roxbury and Angela is in Nursing School. We were delighted to see them.

Last but not least, we were delighted with the presence of Mary Louise Burckhart and her brother, Father Bill who shepherded the class in the beginning years of Diaconate and remained faithful friends with the Class of 1977.

Diaconia Editorial Staff

Coordinator of Publication: Sister Clare O’Keefe

Editors: Andrew J. Acampora, Charles A. Cornell, Sarah Gindel, Frank Mandosa, Leo Martin, Dennis Vandi

Members of the Diaconate Community are encouraged to submit ideas, articles, photography that might be of interest to the Community. Submit by mail to the office or by email to cac@stisidorestow.org.