---

Feeding the hungry is a pillar of Christian ministry. However, since opening a soup kitchen at the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Watervliet, volunteers are not only serving hot meals to guests but also, they say, sharing reconciliation and faith among a growing circle of parishioners and neighbors.

"Mary's Kitchen," explained Sharon Kowalski, director of faith formation and youth ministry at the parish, "has the goal of providing the same kind of welcome as [to those] people who gathered around the Blessed Mother's table - Jesus and the disciples."

Mary's Kitchen serves soup and sandwiches every Monday from 3:30-5:50 p.m.
Since it just opened in February, the number of guests is still small. But those served are grateful and those ready to serve are growing in number.

Though the project began among the youth of the parish, it has also drawn in many retirees and older volunteers looking to help and make productive use of their days. "About 50 people signed up to volunteer," said Mrs. Kowalski.

The workers range in age from 16 to 70-plus. Many are not even parishioners or even Catholic, she said, adding: "It's such a joy working together, laughing. It has been a wonderful community-builder for the parish."

Frank Garceau, catechist and volunteer, sees it as a part of the healing process.
"I'm seeing the parish come together," he said. "We've been through a lot with Called to be Church."

In 2005, six parishes merged to create Immaculate Heart of Mary. "The process didn't set well with some," Mr. Garceau reported. "People said, 'I'll do this and that's all. This is what I've always done.' The soup kitchen has knocked down those barriers."

Donations for the kitchen come from volunteers, parishioners and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Garceau solicits donations from community businesses as well.

"I want to get corporate America involved," he said. "But it's tough times. Corporations say, 'I can't help you,' or, 'I can help, but it's just a one-time deal.'"

Hard times are what sparked the soup kitchen idea.

"I was alone in the office," explained Mrs. Kowalski, "when a young man came to the door asking for a meal. It was freezing out and the snow was whirling. I didn't have anything to give him."

She told him he could sign up for a food basket. 

"He looked at me and said, 'I don't have anywhere to cook it. I need something to eat now.' Watching him turn and walk out into the snow and the darkness, I thought of the Gospel, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and not give you to eat?'"

Some time later, an elderly man asked for a box of cornflakes "to get him through the next few days." Mrs. Kowalski said she knew she had to do something - "but it was the youth ministry who asked for a soup kitchen."

Amanda Carpenter, a junior at Watervliet High School, is part of the youth ministry program and is a teacher's aide in the faith formation program.

"I always wanted a soup kitchen," she said. "We had people come to our parish asking for a hot meal; we had nothing to give them. It was pretty upsetting."

For her, volunteering at Mary's Kitchen has its rewards and sorrows: "A woman talked about how she hadn't had a meal in two days. That's hard to hear."

Mrs. Kowalski recognizes the value of the soup kitchen in making religion real for youth.

"For one generation of Catholics, one hour of worship was enough. But today they need relevance. That enhances the meaning of what it means to be Catholic. Jesus said to go out and transform the world."

Mary's Kitchen, said Amanda, "fits with the Gospel. It's our responsibility as Catholics and as anyone to take care of our own people."

Mr. Garceau takes that wisdom to heart.

"What really gets me is when Jesus asked Peter three times, 'Do you love me? Feed my sheep.' That's what I'm trying to do - to live the Gospel." [[In-content Ad]]

---