The Welcome Home. Until Next Time... - Justine Kruz, Community Coordinator. hard to keep everything

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1 A Mission of St Alphonsus The Welcome Home Summer 2017 Until Next Time... - Justine Kruz, Community Coordinator Year 24 Inside this issue: A Reflection on 2 Needed: Inner City Ministry Coordinator What the Welcome Home Means to Me I Felt a Desire to Come Back 5 From Fr. Larry 6 In Memory of Sherry 7 The Welcome Home Needs At the end of our 24th year here at The Welcome Home I find myself feeling very reflective and can t help but think back to June of 1997 when I was in the same situation I am in now. Both then and now I was preparing to say goodbye to an amazing community of people from whom I have learned so many things. The difference is when I said goodbye in 1997 I had no idea that my connection The Welcome Home would be lifelong. I now know that it is and although I am moving away, a large piece of my heart is staying here. I think it s the same one I left in 1997 and I will have come and visit it and all of you from time to time. These last two years have been a blessing in so many ways. They have not been without as their challenges but there have been so many wonderful things and I am so very grateful that my family and I was so graciously accepted back into The Welcome community. Home I am not a team of one here at The Welcome Home and I would like to take time to thank the many people who work so hard behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. Thank you to Fr. Larry for his constant commitment throughout this year. Thank you to Fr. Taras and Fr. Yurij who were with us in the first half of the year for all that they did. A big heartfelt thank you also goes out to all of our volunteers who work so hard to keep everything running, without you we would be lost! In this newsletter you will find insights from Fr. Larry and a contribution from Gabriel who visited early this year. Guy wrote about coming back to visit and Patty and I put wrote a memorial about Sherry. We also have a short reflection from Terry about his experience of being Baptised and have included a few fun photos. A huge thank you goes out to Ivan for all the hard work he put into getting this year s newsletter completed! May your summer be filled with many blessings and much joy! I am going to miss each and every one of you and will keep you in my prayers, this is not a goodbye but instead, till we meet again.

2 PAGE 2 THE WELCOME HOME SUMMER 2017 A Reflection by Gabriel Liu from Shanghai, China It is the so-called plum rain season in Shanghai, but, strangely, the weather far north the country is much warmer these days. Every time I think about the climate, it reminds me of my stay in Winnipeg, which was a fruitful and unforgettable experience. Life in Winnipeg was a brand new thing for me, for I had never been to the Americas before. Thanks to my short stay in Vancouver, I didn t have serious jetlag on arrival. I had been expecting overwhelming coldness at first, but later on it was the dryness that bothered me a lot with static and nose bleeding. Food here was great and I was quite accustomed to it. I also found places for Asian groceries and cooked sometimes for myself and others. I stayed in Winnipeg for almost two months and The Welcome Home was a place I usually occasionally I took the bus. went to. Some- helped with setting up the chairs in times, Fr Larry drove me there; The Welcome Home is a nice place with an attractive history and two big spaces used as a living room and a chapel. At first, I thought it was like an activity center, but then I found out that it was a home, both physically and virtually. On Wednesdays, I went to help out. I made hot chocolate and then gave out the hampers to the people lining up at the main entrance. The stove in the kitchen was quite different from ours and a third of the chocolate boiled out of the pot the first time. (Once again, Justine, I am sorry for that.) After distributing hot chocolate, things got really fast when it came to 10 o clock. I have to say that people out there were in good order, so everything kept moving smoothly. On Thursdays, I took part in the family night. Before everything got started, people who came to The Welcome Home would socialize in the living room. Sometimes I went to the kitchen to help, or I just talked with someone in the living room. Then, I the chapel, where we had a vespers service. During the service, I saw people of different origins and rites praying together for our common intentions. After that, we set the tables for dinner. The food prepared was well and I noticed that many people enjoyed it and also enjoyed the time of sitting together while sharing their meal I have also been to the Sunday Divine Liturgy a few times. We didn t have a crowd as big as we had on Thursdays, but it was more intensive people are more closely related because of their spiritual life. Though it was not a grand service, I still loved it for the feeling of being in the same community and praying under the same roof. The Welcome Home is a place that I would think of going to when I was in Winnipeg. I was told that a lot of people, who moved away from the area, would still come back regularly. In spite that there are not many people volunteering there and we were sometimes short of hands, I got the concept of such a home through welcoming, helping, managing, maintaining and participating. Since I began to prepare for my baptism I learned more about God and the purposeful life He had given me. I have noticed that I have gotten closer to God, He gave me my girlfriend Colinda and we are planning to get married in the future and will be worshipping God in the same Church. Terry Johnson

3 SUMMER 2017 THE WELCOME HOME PAGE 3 Inner-City Ministry Coordinator Position Seeking an individual interested in a leadership position for The Welcome Home A Mission of St. Alphonsus an inner city ministry in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Founded by the Ukrainian Redemptorists over 20 years ago, the Welcome Home is a faith based community that responds to the material, emotional and spiritual needs of people on the periphery. The Welcome Home Coordinator is a full-time position that is responsible for ensuring all aspects of the ministry are in place including building relationships with those in need, volunteer co-ordination, programming, communications and promotions. The Welcome Home serves the neighborhood with the help of a live-in community, the Coordinator works with and participates in the life of the live-in community especially through community prayer and planning the work of the ministry. Qualifications: A desire to work in an inclusive environment with those who can be overlooked in society, the poor and most abandoned Committed practicing Catholic Leadership skills that demonstrate your ability to build relationship and motivate others Experience in planning, coordinating and implementing programs for various age groups Interested in knowing more details about this full-time position, contact Fr. Larry Kondra, CSSR. at whome01@mymts.net or Application deadline July 14, 2017 The Welcome Home 188 Euclid Avenue Winnipeg MB R2W 2X4 Come discover life possibilities, while helping others in need Consider joining us at the Welcome Home A Mission of St. Alphonsus an inner city ministry in Winnipeg, where we work together to always be inclusive of those who can be over-looked - the poor and the most abandoned. Founded by the Redemptorists over 20 years ago, the Welcome Home works to build a community that embraces the material, emotional and spiritual needs of those in need. The Welcome Home is now accepting applicants for the live-in community commencing September We ask for a 10 month live-in commitment however the length of stay is negotiable and can be a little as 4 months. Interested in exploring the possibilities of living in community, giving of your time and talents while receiving the gift of a life changing experience? Get more information at or contact the Welcome Home

4 PAGE 4 THE WELCOME HOME SUMMER 2017 What Welcome Home Means to Me by Sophie George Coming into Family Night as a complete stranger, I was a little nervous. I did not know what to expect, if people would be happy that we were there or even if I would be able to use my gifts to be any help at all. I was excited to begin my experience, yet worried that I wouldn't be truly accepted. When we first came to tour the house, I was expecting Family Night to be a completely different experience. Don t get me wrong, we were greeted and welcomed h ap pily, everyon e i n the neighborhood was lovely to us on our walk, and the house was beautiful; yet I was still apprehensive about the whole experience. This all changed after we arrived to 188 Euclid Avenue on the first night. As soon as I stepped in the atmosphere felt completely d i f f e r e n t than it did during our orientation. Even on that chilly autumn night, the house felt warm and comforting. We stepped in, put our bags down and got our name tags, which meant that it was time for the part that I was dreading maki n g con vers ation wi th complete strangers. I headed downstairs where I knew there would be kids. Almost immediately they all began to come up to the SMA girls and try to play with us, which instantly made us all feel better. Throughout my experience at The Welcome Home, I never once felt like an outsider. Despite any apprehension that I may have had before, the minute that I stepped in, I knew that people were happy that I was there. Having a conversation with someone new and learning about their story, participating in Vespers and then eating dinner (family style, might I add) all added to the loving and happy atmosphere that is The Welcome Home. Although I am sad that my time participating in Family Night is over for the year, I am excited for other SMA girls (SMAG s as we call ourselves) to have a go. To anybody who is interested in volunteering at The Welcome Home, or curious to know what it is like it is exactly how it soundsa Welcome Home.

5 S U MME R T HE WE L C O ME HO ME PAGE 5 Memorable Moments I Felt a Desire to Come Back to The Welcome Home By Guy W. Mier The Summer of 2016 was my first experience living at The Welcome Home. I had the opportunity to work with the wonderful community here for the months of June and July. My initial experience with The Welcome Home started with SERVE and moved on to ministry, involving such events as Family Night, youth group, Kids are Creative, and Divine Liturgy. In addition, I had the opportunity to volunteer working the drop-in at Siloam Mission. As my summer progressed, I found that my ministerial reasons for being here was not as important as making connections with the people I got to meet. I also made connections with the people I met at Siloam. I soon found that being present with the people I met from the students in youth group and Kids are Creative to the adults I met through Family Night and Adult Rec night far outweighed the work I was doing. As I moved back to Boston to continue classes that fall, I felt a sense that something was missing. I longed for the friendships and connections I made while I was here in Last April, as I was completing my final semester at Boston College, I felt a desire to come back to The Welcome Home, even if it was only for 12 days. It was nice to jump right into helping out with Family Night and with the youth group. And it was also nice to be able to jump into ministry at Siloam. But, most importantly, it was really special to be able to reconnect with the friends that I made when I was here, last summer. It was very nice that I was able to come back, knowing that I have family here. It was these connections, these friendships that drew me back to The Welcome Home. It was very nice to reconnect with the friends that I have made through The Welcome Home and Siloam Mission. Even though my time here this summer was short, I felt that the bonds I have made have gotten stronger. I feel blessed to have been able reconnect with the people I met when I was here last summer. And for this I am very thankful for.

6 PAGE 6 T HE WE L C O ME HO ME S U MME R From Fr. Larry is not a small achievement, considering our humble beginnings. It will be a year of evaluadear Friends, tion, counting our blessas The Welcome Home concludes ings and looking ahead. its 24th year, I think of the many Please plan to be part of people who have come through the process! our doors and those who have contributed in countless ways to Ultimately, we need to make our ministry possible. So, measure our lives against once again I am filled with grati- the vision of the gospel. Pope Francis challenges tude for God s blessings. us to go forth from our In particular, I want to say how own comfort zone in order to grateful I am to Justine for her reach all the peripheries in need dedicated service to all of us in of the light of the Gospel (Joy of the past two years. Her commit- the Gospel, 20). He reminds us ment to the well-being of our that the Church s mission immission has been beyond the pels us to undertake a constant call of duty. We thank her for pilgrimage across the various the energy, zeal and love she has deserts of life, through the differshared. She returns to Ottawa ent experiences of hunger and with Rosita, Blair and Corrigan. thirst for truth and justice. A May God keep them in His self-referential Church, one content with earthly success, is not loving care always! the Church of Christ, his cruciat the same time, I am aware fied and glorious Body. That is that The Welcome Home will be- why we should prefer a gin its 25th year in September. A Silver Anniversary Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security (ibid., 49). Together, we pray for the courage and the fidelity to be all that we can be! In Christ, Fr. Larry

7 SUMMER 2017 It was with great sadness that The Welcome Home community said goodbye to Sherry Kirby in late February of Sherry had been a fixture here at The Welcome Home since she moved back to Winnipeg in Her younger sisters and her Mom brought her with her young son Sam and she quickly became one of the family. She was here every Thursday, she sang at Vespers then made sure that she stuck around to do the dishes. That mountain of plates always moved fast when Sherry was washing. Sherry and Kevin welcomed a second son Matt in 1999 and he and Sam were baptised here. In October of 2004 Fr. Larry married Sherry and Kevin at St. Joseph s Church. As the boys grew so did Sherry s involvement at The Welcome Home. She helped with a countless THE WELCOME HOME In Memory of Sherry by Patty Reimer and Justine Kruz number of programs and events over the years including Sunday school, summer camp, Christmas concerts, Girls club ( because she couldn t paint the boys nails) and youth group. Sherry was always willing to lend a hand with whatever you asked of her and did it with a smile on her face. Sherry felt strongly that her sons needed to learn what her grandparents had taught her, to put church at the center of her family. She worked hard to make sure that happened and to make sure that church of her childhood was also the church her children grew up in. Sam and Matt were here every week with their Mom. Last winter Sherry wrote a short reflection about why she came to The Welcome Home and it says so much about who she was. She had this to say: The Welcome Home is the place where my journey began. I have been coming here for 20 years. I have volunteered with the kids programs and it is an awesome experience. Every Thursday night I wash the dishes to serve and give back to my community. All my life I have believed in giving and loving people and showing compassion to those who need it most. The Welcome Home has taught me how to open my heart to others so that I can be a better person and mother. I am so glad that The Welcome Home is a part of my life and I do not know where I would be without it. It is a place that holds my hopes, my dreams, my strength and my love, all of which guide me on my journey. Her contagious smile, warm heart and beautiful voice will always be missed here at The Welcome Home. Eternal Memory Sherry. PAGE 7

8 The Welcome Home 188 Euclid Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2W 2X thewelcomehome.ca The Welcome Home Needs: Volunteers who would like to help out at one of our programs. We currently have a need for local volunteers to make a weekly commitment to help out with our regular programming. Please do get in touch with us to discuss our current needs if you have a few hours a week you would like to spend with us. Non perishable food and toiletries that can be shared with our neighbours. This is an ongoing need throughout the year. It is not unusual for there to be 50 people at our door on Wednesday morning for our Groceries and Lunches program. Please considering sharing food donations with us throughout the year. Perhaps your parish our workplace would consider collecting food for us on monthly basis or as a special event once or twice a year. We are currently looking for donations to our education fund which sends 2 children to Immaculate Heart of Mary School and assisting other families with tuition expenses. We are also looking for donations to our general fund to help cover our day to day expenses and upkeep. All monetary donations are always welcomed and those over will receive a tax receipt. We are looking for blocks, play food and kitchen toys, toddler toys, small cars, puzzles and books. We need toys that small children can play quietly with while people are praying in the next room. Please DO NOT send stuffed animals or toys that have lots of specialized pieces. Happy Birthday! Three of the Redemptorists who have served here at The Welcome Home are celebrating momentous birthdays this year! Fr Len is 75, Fr. Larry is 60 and Fr. Mike will be 45 in September. May God grant you many happy years!