Christ Is Risen!
It has been a busy few weeks for St Raphael’s Mission as we prepared for our Easter Feast for the homeless which was held on Monday, 3rd May 2021.
On Saturday 24th April, we held our Hamper Packing Day and were blessed with 50 volunteers of all ages who worked tirelessly to organise and pack 150 hampers for the homeless. It was a rewarding day filled with great fun, love and children’s laughter as they raced back and forth to pack as many hampers as they could.
Our day started early on Monday 3rd May with volunteers driving around to collect different components of the Easter Feast before meeting in the afternoon to commence preparing and packing the Easter Feast. With the help of approximately 15 volunteers, we were able to prepare and pack 170 meals for the homeless in 4.5 hours.
We then headed into the city where approximately 140 homeless individuals were waiting patiently for us in 2 straight lines. After chanting ‘Christ Is Risen’ and saying the ‘Our Father’, we served the pre-packed meals to the homeless. The homeless individuals enjoyed the meal and loved the ‘Middle Eastern’ food they were served. They were excited to receive 2 boiled, coloured eggs as part of their meal and participated in egg cracking competitions amongst themselves.
After serving the meal, the homeless lined up again to receive their Easter Hamper which was filled with winter warmers such as beanies, gloves, socks and gloves as well as a backpack, blanket and non-perishable food items.
We then drove to Circular Quay & Central Stations handing out Easter Hampers to those sleeping rough – in tunnels, station corridors or out in the cold on the side of the road.
It was a beautiful evening spent with the most vulnerable in our community which reminded us to thank God for the blessings He has bestowed upon us. It also reminded us that ‘we received without paying and should give without pay’.
SRM would like to thank each of you who donated items or money towards our hamper drive; who gave up their time to pack the hampers for the homeless; who prepared or donated food for the Easter Feast; who helped us pack the Easter Feast; as well as the volunteers who served the homeless during the Easter Feast and spent a late night out in the cold on a ‘school’ night.
All of this would not have been possible, without the collective contributions of you all. We are blessed, thankful and appreciative to have your support and pray that you will continue to support SRM throughout the years to come.
