Sidebar: History

Although the Friendship Table is relatively new, the program is based on the Welcome Table, started at St. John/St. Ann's Church in Albany by Sister Helen Dillon, RSM, in the mid-1980s.

Twice a week, volunteers serve meals to the needy, who sit at tables and are served as though they were dining out. The aim is "to treat the person with dignity. Anyone and everyone is welcome," Sister Helen said. "It's based upon the philosophy that we need to provide for people that are in need, but we also need to help them help themselves."

Sister Helen introduced the concept last February at Sacred Heart, where she served as director of outreach. Since then, the program has taken off; it currently serves more than 100 meals each week.

Although Sister Helen is no longer able to witness the success firsthand -- she was elected vice-president of the Sisters of Mercy during the summer -- she is happy that North End residents now have somewhere to eat a meal, and parishioners get an opportunity to mingle with the needy in the neighborhood.

"One of the beauties of the Friendship Table is that parishioners were mixing with people that they wouldn't normally mix with," she said. "That's a good example of acceptance and Christianity." (PQ)

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