By Quinton Amundson with files from Catholic Saskatoon News,
[Canadian Catholic News] – Charlotte Mescall, a Grade 11 student at Holy Cross Catholic High School in Saskatoon was so moved by the community outreach at St. Mary’s Parish that she coordinated two Christmas concert fundraisers on behalf of the church, one in Saskatoon Dec. 4 and one in Rosetown the next evening.
The Kindness Choir organized by Charlotte Mescall performs at Holy Cross Catholic High School in Saskatoon in support of St. Mary’s Mission and Outreach Ministry. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
St. Mary’s Mission and Outreach Ministry in Saskatoon’s core neighbourhood was formed earlier this year to coordinate a response to profound needs in the surrounding community, including homelessness. The creation of the ministry grew out of a decision three years ago to open the church hall as an overnight winter warm-up location run by the Salvation Army.
This year, St. Mary’s hall is open each night starting at 6 p.m., providing an overnight men’s shelter. The nearby Saskatoon Friendship Inn provides both supper and breakfast to well over 100 unhoused men each night at the hall.
“We’ve had temperatures here in Saskatoon that have been profoundly dangerous for people on the street,” said St. Mary’s Pastor Fr. Kevin McGee, “It’s given them a place to stay… and really to survive. I can say that doing this has been a work of the Spirit. It has saved lives and it has created connections and relationships in very beautiful ways.”
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Student inspired to help
Charlotte’s father, Devan Mescall, began working with the Ministry and Outreach Program at the invitation of his old friend McGee. A business professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Devan used his acumen to help develop a strategic plan for St. Mary’s Mission and Outreach Ministry to achieve long-term sustainability and success.
Leading up to a summertime community barbecue fundraiser, there was a discussion between McGee, Devan and outreach program coordinator Jennifer Nunes about potential fundraising for the mission and ministry. A concert was an appealing idea, and it seemed natural to recruit Charlotte, a student who was connected with bands and choirs.
“It was really at the barbecue that I got more inspired to do it,” said Charlotte. “We saw lots of people who would benefit from St. Mary’s outreach program and how important it really is.”
The first concert was hosted at Holy Cross High School on Dec. 4, the second the following night at St. Theresa Parish in Rosetown, SK, where Devan grew up and where McGee had served as pastor. Both nights featured singers, musicians, baking and fellowship, and insights into the parish’s Mission and Outreach Ministry.
At the St. Theresa Parish concert in Rosetown, SK, Dec. 5: former Rosetown pastor Fr. Kevin McGee (left) and present pastor Fr. Habila Musa stand together with members of the Kindness Choir. (Photo by Devan Mescall)
Notably, the school performance showcased the talents of a “Choir for Kindness” Charlotte assembled just for this function. Devan beamed when describing his daughter’s determined efforts to help a worthy cause.
“Each week for three weeks, she tried something new to try to attract people (to a practice), and nobody showed up,” said Devan. “But she kept working at it, and it is a credit to her resilience that eventually, all of a sudden, different people began to say yes. Then some students came forward and said, ‘I don’t do choir, but I could play the guitar.’ She said,’ that would be great.’ And someone else said they could play the cello.”
Beginnings of new ministry
Chatlotte’s response emulated the resoluteness of St. Mary’s Mission and Outreach Ministry coordinator Nunes. Charlotte said she was touched listening to Nunes delve into the process of discernment — using the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola — that the parish community went through to decide whether or not the hall should be used as a warming shelter.
Concerns arose whether such an initiative could potentially lead to the loss of parishioners or cause facility damage. The bigger question: did the parish have the capacity to operate such an initiative?
Ultimately, it was very clear to all that “yes” is the only answer. Nunes said her three children guided her during this process.
“I did ask my children for their opinion, giving them the pros and cons as (McGee) mentioned, and all three of them, without fail, said immediately yes,” said Nunes. “That really made me stop and think and realize that I was the one overcomplicating things. And then it just generally was about doing what God wanted us to do, and saying no did not sound like God’s voice to me.”
During this period of contemplation, Nunes and her family embarked on their own family “street ministry” and “were able to create wonderful relationships with the people that we were serving and quickly learned that we were receiving much more than what we were giving.”
This experience, Nunes added, “really taught us more about the word dignity and what that meant.”
McGee praised Nunes’ work as coordinator, calling her “a perfect fit.”
Both McGee and Nunes emphasized they are not seeking to supplant the work of the Salvation Army, which operates the overnight shelter in the parish hall and many other services in the city, or Mustard Seed, swhich has been elected as the operator of a planned emergency shelter. Instead St. Mary’s new parish ministry is a way to deepen partnerships and augment the efforts of these established organizations with space, resources and fundraising.
“We’re going to them and letting them know that we are friends,” said Nunes. “We’re here to build bridges, to fill in the gaps. We’re not here to compete with or duplicate what they offer.”
The practical support provided by St. Mary’s Mission and Outreach Ministry is complemented by a passion to offer companionship and spiritual care to their guests.
Importance of grassroots ministry
During the benefit concert Dec. 4 at Holy Cross High School, Nunes summarized the role of the parish’s initiative: “Through St. Mary’s Mission and Outreach Ministry, we see people, we know people, we love people. We strive to be the face of Christ to those we serve, and even more importantly, we see the face of Christ in them.
Thanking all those who participated, performed, and attended the concerts, she shared the story of her own growing awareness and involvement, stressing the need to build relationships with those in need.
“The people we serve are not statistics,” she told the crowd. “They’re sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, grandparents, veterans… They are my new friends, gifted to me by God.”
During the Saskatoon concert, St. Mary’s Mission and Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Nunes introduced the ministry and those it helps. “The people we help are not statistics. They are human beings.” (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)
The outreach she first embarked on as a parishioner and mother, and now as a coordinator of a new intentional ministry, has brought growing awareness and new relationships, Nunes described.
“I’ve sat with men who worked their entire lives, but one injury, one illness, one loss, and everything fell apart. I’ve met refugees from the Ukraine and immigrants from Africa, whose sponsorships fell short and left them alone. I’ve held the hand of a woman who hadn’t felt human touch in months” she told the crowd with emotion.
“I’ve laughed with joy and literally danced on the streets with our friends. I have cried with parents grieving the loss of their children. I’ve heard the stories of traumatic childhoods that led to feeling unloved and unwanted. I’ve witnessed the sadness of grief, addiction, and mental health. I’ve heard the stories of abused women fleeing from abusers and human traffickers. I’ve heard the voices of talented singers, serenading me. I’ve watched a grown man cry because someone gave him a hair clean of socks. I’ve been hugged and prayed over because I called him by name.”
The ministry is being sustained by grassroots outreach such as the Kindness Concerts, Nunes added.
“Tonight, through your music, your generosity, and your presence, you are multiplying love. We cannot solve all the struggles of homelessness tonight, but through your generosity, we can change one moment for one person, and that one moment can be the moment that saves their life,” she said. “You are not just supporting a program. You are helping a man feel human again. You are helping a woman feel safe and loved. You are helping a soul remember that God has not forgotten them.”
Photos
Fr. Kevin McGee performs a song at St. Theresa Parish, Rosetown. (Photo by Devan Mescall)
Announcing the winner of a raffle at the St. Theresa Rosetown concert Dec. 5. (Photo by Devan Mescall)
Gathering in the parish hall at Rosetown after the concert. (Photo by Devan Mescall)
The Kindness Choir performs Dec. 5 at St. Theresa Parish, Rosetown. (Photo by Devan Mescall)
Devan Mescall welcomes those gathered for the Saskatoon concert. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
George Zhuang was one of the performers at the Dec. 4 concert in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Caleb Samuel and Alexandros Mavraganis performed at the concert in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Christmas carols were on the program for the Saskatoon concert. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Fr. Kevin McGee sang at both concerts. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
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