Lazarus Centre Newsletter: Christmas 2019
“Can I dry some dishes for you?”
Richard (pictured here with Breakfast Program chaplain, Fr Philip Gill), is one of our newest volunteers. He came to know of the work of the Lazarus Centre through his involvement in the Order of St Lazarus. Richard joined the Order after being introduced by a friend. He was inspired by the example of Blessed Gerard.
The Order of St Lazarus has been a great supporter of the Lazarus Centre and the Breakfast Program.
Richard holds the position of Hospitaller. The Hospitaller assesses and manages the charitable projects of the Order. It was in that role that he visited St Peter’s Breakfast Program. Not satisfied with merely observing Richard asked, “Can I dry some dishes for you?” His offer was enthusiastically accepted! Richard is also a regular worshipper at the Friday morning Mass.
Richard enjoys the fun and friendship among volunteers and the small rewards like a thank you and a smile when participants return their plates and cutlery. Richard encourages anyone interested in volunteering at the Lazarus Centre Breakfast Program to contact team leader Chris de Paiva 0427 054 758.
Fr Philip Gill
Rise Up!
Pass me the water.
Pass me the wine.
Show me the dreams they said I’d never find.
And I’ll show you that miracles can happen.
Bring me an honest man.
Bring me a thief.
Bring me the prophets all welcome at my feast.
And I’ll show you that miracles can happen.
Rise up, put your hands in air.
Rise up, all good people everywhere. Rise up, let’s make like a river of love.
Show me the woman.
Show me the man.
Dazed and confused, tryin’ to understand.
And I’ll show you that miracles can happen.
Bring me the hungry.
Bring me the weak.
Show them we care with promises we keep.
And I’ll show you that miracles can happen!
Rise up, put your hands in air.
Rise up, all good people everywhere. Rise up, let’s make like a river of love. Rise up!
I transcribed these lyrics from a performance by Heather Small, Songs of Praise. Heather’s own story shows what can happen in life when we respond to the challenge to “rise up”. She was born in working class West London. She suffered from acute shyness, she says still does! In her teens she asked the head of the choir at her school if she could sing in the choir.
The teacher asked her if she could sing. Heather could not answer the question and never sang with the school choir. She was eighteen before she began singing with and in front of people. She is now, as I’ve recently discovered, quite famous and a very polished performer. However, she still suffers from almost unbearable nerves before performing. When asked why she endures such suffering she says it is because she is meant to sing.
When she is asked how she endures her nerves she says by being thoroughly prepared and by meditation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWTZJaE_HOQ
Handbook for Grassroots Organisations Helping People Experiencing Homelessness
In response to research into organisations assisting homeless the City of Melbourne has produced a handbook aimed at assisting groups serve the marginalised of our city in a more coordinated and consistent way. Here a couple of snippets from the handbook:
While organisations operating within central Melbourne generally responded to a number of basic human needs such as providing food and clothing, most were motivated by principles of social inclusion, and emphasise the value of the relationships they develop with the people that use their services. They reported a range of motivations, including social justice, empowerment of marginalized people, and religious faith.
The research found that stakeholders wanted the City of Melbourne to create a reference guide or handbook to help support the grassroots organisations in delivering their services. [p.5]
This Handbook is a framework for grassroots organisations to implement best practice approaches. It includes information on standards, mandatory reporting, emergency and risk management planning and referral pathways to homelessness support agencies. Policy and procedure advice, templates and links to online resources and training courses for staff and volunteers are also included.
The Handbook is part of a three-year Council plan initiative to implement an integrated coordination approach with grassroots operators to amplify their impact and reduce duplication of services. The Handbook was co-designed with grassroots organisations and homelessness agencies. [p.5] https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/sitecollectiondocuments/ grassroots-organisations-handbook.pdf
The winner: Nicholas of Myra
At the heart of our Santa Claus tradition is the 4th Century Bishop Nicholas who because bishop of the Turkish city of Myra. He had a reputation for courage and generosity. He advocated for the wrongly condemned.
In one case he is said to have physically restrained an executioner about to carry out the death sentence on a wrongly accused person. He is also said to have provided dowries for three daughters of a poor man thus saving them from lives of slavery. Legend also tells that he raised three boys to life after they had been murdered by an unscrupulous butcher. His patronage of children led people of the Netherlands to amalgamate his tradition with a Nordic legendary figure who rewarded good children with presents.
The tradition was carried with Dutch migrants to the United States and St Nicholas was transformed into Santa Claus.