(Reflections from Jesus) St. Anthony's Dining Room - 08 June 2019 [Volunteer]

The following are reflections from YAM-E who participated in the St. Anthony's Dining Room volunteer event on June 8, 2019. Everyone had lots to say and I wanted to share it, but on different posts.


The original post can be found here: click here


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Here is Jesus's Reflection:


I'd also like to second a lot of what Mary mentioned.

It was indeed quite an experience to see the people we most often don't ever see in our daily lives, the ones shut away in the most seedy parts of the city. It was indeed very heartbreaking to see so many who were openly and casually using intravenous drugs on our walk to St. Anthony's Dining Room. I was wondering with every person I saw, "what went wrong?" as I just tried by best to offer quick prayers for them. I couldn't help to think of the absolute spiritual poverty present, praying that they may one day in a moment of clarity hear the whisper of Christ, so that they may be free from their addictions.

Everything in St. Anthony's  Dining Room was really nice and very efficiently done. I was happy to see that people could just be seated after already waiting in line outside, then be served. It was a great opportunity to look them in the eyes, share a smile and a "good morning", despite those instances were far and few in between for my time serving them, which I understand. It was very quick paced, so I didn't have much conversation with many people.

Despite the physically demanding tasks assigned, I offered it up for their collective good. I took some solace in actively participating in what St. Vincent de Paul, then Blessed Ozanam and what continues today through the SVdP Society of being "servants of the poor". Despite the fast-paced "ordered chaos" (their system was really well organized though) and other negative things that I'm so very quick to notice, it all seemed to have faded away with the busyness of the task at hand and making sure the people were happy.

It was admittedly difficult, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy. It was a good way for us putting our faith in action, loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves, especially when they are the most disadvantaged.

A suggestion if/when we go back again, before getting tasked out, we should gather together in prayer and also.

Thanks again!

(Reflections from Carol) St. Anthony's Dining Room - 08 June 2019 [Volunteer]

The following are reflections from YAM-E who participated in the St. Anthony's Dining Room volunteer event on June 8, 2019. Everyone had lots to say and I wanted to share it, but on different posts.

The original post can be found here: click here

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Here is Carol's Reflection:

Thank  you Nini and everyone  for organizing  and participating. I too share very similar sentiments.

In the past I've volunteered  with young middle schoolers and the old dining  which was  a 1/4 size of current space and had almost no windows it was humid hot tight  and  busy tables  needed to be done lightning speed.

So From start  it felt refreshing  to walk into the  nice new  facility, with windows and spacious  tables.

It was also nice to feel the caring smiles warmth of other  volunteers. Nice reminder and comfort the world has others want to do care for the least.  I also wondered  if clients knew people serving them do care and wondered if they knew Lord is present in everything. To my delight  in the end I got my answers in the prayer with theveryone Indian man (where  he explained  we all should be thankful for the food and this Christian country that recelves Blessingso of getting served free food vs Contrast with other  nonChristian countries).

I also saved the Orange tickets which I counted them to be 25 total tkts and Prayed Lord Bless those 25 people and probably  another 25 I may have served (in 1st round).

Some folks called would read my name tag and call me by my name one  even offered to see a song with the titledelay by my name haha, it touched reminded me of Isaiah 43:1

"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."

The hard part was seeing some of clients eyes that show humility, pain, even folks who's eyes don't seem to aware or asleep at the tables. Also, tough because it hits close to home to look into the eyes of someone you love who isnt really aware because of addictions & maybe mental health illness. I asked God at that moment to please be with my relative and send someone to treat and show a little kindness too my relative wherever they  maybe and asked Lord continue to give my family peace & strength to continue to surrender my relative.

I'm  grateful to have shared a meal time with everyone clients, staff, yame. I felt and see there is no way that facility is not total evidence of God's  love  for us All and intercession  of St. Anthony.

Separately, and also in spirit of God's  Love. Monsignor Talesfore, St. Matthews read part of Einstein's Letter to his Daughter check it out!

https://monoset.com/blogs/journal/a-letter-from-albert-einstein-to-his-daughter-on-the-universal-force-of-love


Peace, Love, & Blessings to all. 

(Reflections from Mary) St. Anthony's Dining Room - 08 June 2019 [Volunteer]

The following are reflections from YAM-E who participated in the St. Anthony's Dining Room volunteer event on June 8, 2019. Everyone had lots to say and I wanted to share it, but on different posts.

The original post can be found here: click here

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Here is Mary's Reflection:


Thank you so much for sharing these great pictures and for organizing this... It was truly a wonderful experience from beginning to end.

The training from the St. Anthony's Dining was very good. They were professionals and very well prepared, honest, and to the point.

I loved interacting and feeling the warmth of the people at St. Anthony's while serving them.

Many were very kind. One person prayed with us, many were cheerful, a few looked sad. A whole spectrum of human beings.

It was nice to be able to sit in the dining room (Carol and I sat in the woman's/family's dining room). The food was delicious. 

The walk to St. Anthony's brought some heart-wrenching emotions seeing some four people sitting against a wall with needles ready to shoot up whatever drug they had.

It broke my heart for many reasons, one wondering what Jesus Christ felt if my human heart felt so sad. I wished I'd brought my Lanciano pamphlets and maybe something to eat for them. Maybe next time I can plan to bring a few care packages.

It is always a very blessed time spending time with each of you. You are all so amazing and kind and loving.

Thank you all so much for your generosity and spending part of your Saturday volunteering.

St. Anthony's Dining Room - 08 June 2019 [Volunteer]

St. Anthony's Foundation logo

Event: St. Anthony's Dining Room - Volunteer Opportunity

Date: June 8, 2019, 9am - 1pm

Description: ...It's more than a meal: it is building community, a place to share stories and smiles. Working with 40-50 fellow volunteers, service shift volunteers help prepare and provide 1,000 - 3,000 meals each day.

Links:

• https://www.stanthonysf.org/volunteer/individual/
• FB Links to Photos

For most of us who attended (we were 6 from YAM-E), it was our first time to volunteer in a place where they serve hot meals to the community. A humbling experience filled with a great time to interact with volunteers and guests alike, while getting a cardio workout as we served 100's of meals to 100's of guests, bused tables, mingled with others.

It really opens your eyes to how much more fortunate we are to have the means to provide for our own selves. Serving those less fortunate, who need food to survive, with their children, or just themselves, not just homeless, but those who look like they have jobs but just don't have enough to eat.. all walks of life entered through those doors and sat down on the chairs, in a safe place, to have a nice hot meal (mostly vegetarian too).


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Anyway, I'd also like to share some of the thoughts of my fellow YAM-E members and what they thought as well, as this was a first experience for us, as a ministry.


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Nini: 

Myself, I've done volunteer work similar to this but this is the first where I've seen such a system inside that just continuously had the food for the guests -- and for the volunteers (with a break room downstairs). They had HUGE pots of food just cooking in the kitchen, and a line system of volunteers preparing the trays, as well as a stream of volunteers to serve the trays, and to bus tables. It had a different vibe, maybe because it was a lot of people and in a systematic order, or maybe because it was just continuously bustling. One thing for sure, I did like the food and the people I worked with. And it was nice to greet the guests as I served them their trays. I hope to volunteer again, and during break hope to get a chance to sit down and chat with some of the guests (didn't this time because of pain in my legs LOL). 

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Mary:

The training from the St. Anthony's Dining was very good. They were professionals and very well prepared, honest, and to the point.

I loved interacting and feeling the warmth of the people at St. Anthony's while serving them.

Many were very kind. One person prayed with us, many were cheerful, a few looked sad. A whole spectrum of human beings.

Read full reflection here: click here

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Niko:

It was tiring, but at the same time very rewarding. I got to meet new people and a variety of personalities. With the added bonus of the great food!

I've volunteered in several places in the past, but none like St. Anothny's. Their kitchen was a well oiled machine and it was humbling to have the opportunity to volunteer.

There was one encounter remember in particular. I was at the water station with Mary, and this man came up asking for water with a kind, friendly smile. He told us about how back in the day, he used to volunteer in the kitchens. And till this very day he was still at the kitchens! That dedication and sense of community is awe inspiring and I hope in the future YAM-E can reach that some day. It truly was a blessing to be there. ♡

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Carol: 

In the past I've volunteered  with young middle schoolers and the old dining  which was  a 1/4 size of current space and had almost no windows it was humid hot tight  and  busy tables  needed to be done lightning speed.

So From start  it felt refreshing  to walk into the  nice new  facility, with windows and spacious  tables.

It was also nice to feel the caring smiles warmth of other  volunteers. Nice reminder and comfort the world has others want to do care for the least.  I also wondered  if clients knew people serving them do care and wondered if they knew Lord is present in everything. To my delight  in the end I got my answers in the prayer with theveryone Indian man (where  he explained  we all should be thankful for the food and this Christian country that recelves Blessingso of getting served free food vs Contrast with other  nonChristian countries).

Read full reflection here: click here

**************************************************************************************

Jesus:

I'd also like to second a lot of what Mary mentioned.

It was indeed quite an experience to see the people we most often don't ever see in our daily lives, the ones shut away in the most seedy parts of the city. It was indeed very heartbreaking to see so many who were openly and casually using intravenous drugs on our walk to St. Anthony's Dining Room. I was wondering with every person I saw, "what went wrong?" as I just tried by best to offer quick prayers for them. I couldn't help to think of the absolute spiritual poverty present, praying that they may one day in a moment of clarity hear the whisper of Christ, so that they may be free from their addictions.

Read full reflection here: click here

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Until next time! Have a blessed week ahead!

Carol, Jaime, Amerina, Jesus, Mary, Nini
June 8, 2019
St. Anthony's Dining Room

Posted By:
- Nini :)

SF AIDS Walk 2019 - Church of the Epiphany [Events]

Church of the Epiphany has a team in the AIDS WALK. It is on Sunday, July 14, Golden Gate Park. We will have breakfast at the team table before you start, and then lunch after you get back. To register yourself, you can go online below and type “Church of the Epiphany 2015” in the search box and join. https://sf.aidswalk.net/ https://sf.aidswalk.net/Team/View/108602/Church-of-the-Epiphany-2015 On the day of the event, look for the Church of Epiphany Team (you can ask at the information booth to find us). ******************************************************************************************** Event Details: Sunday, July 14, 2019 -- Sign-in opens at 9 a.m. The Aerobic Warm-Up will be at 9:30 a.m., the Opening Ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m., and the Walk begins at 10:30 a.m. ********************************************************************************************

Become a Virtual Walker if you are unable to physically join! Or, help in donating to a virtual/physical walker! Nini: https://sf.aidswalk.net/atehnini Kathy: https://sf.aidswalk.net/kathleenfourre ******************************************************************************************** AIDS Walk San Francisco begins and ends in Golden Gate Park. The 10k (6.2-mile) route begins in Sharon Meadow and winds through the park, with checkpoints, entertainment, and refreshments along the way. Proceeds from the Walk primarily benefit ACRIA, PRC, Project Open Hand, and dozens of other Bay Area AIDS service organizations Thousands of caring community members, activists, friends,and families, as well as celebrities and elected officials.


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Posted By:
- Nini :)

Trying Something New - Website & Blog! [Updates]

Hi! This is Nini writing!

I wanted to have a more organized way to share what YAM-E is and what we do, in an fairly easy (and free -- except the labor hehe!) way. Luckily for us, we have Google that has a number of amazing features, such as a free website and a free blog! Hopefully, this will be an easier way to share about what our ministry does and future events.

Anyway! We will keep everyone updated and hope this works out!

Blessings to everyone;

- Nini :)

Nini! @Mt. Davidson Cross in San Francisco