Sharing Hope 2.0 Cathedral of The Holy Spirit

Ms John shared

Give alms to the poor

Sharing Hope started as a simple parish project to provide dry provisions for the low-risk covid patients at the quarantine centre.

Today it is being reformed into Sharing Hope 2.0; it is a platform to encourage all who wish to reach out to the poor. Under its umbrella are SSVP, Agape Meal (a Chinese apostolate group that helps the poor), the Ministry of The Poor, BECs, and other individuals. They coordinate among each other; some handle the purchase and some do the packing; the respective groups and individuals would come and collect provisions and bring it to the people.

Tell us your name and parish.

My name is John David, I am 69 years old. Formerly I was at CHS parish but now I shifted to Balik Pulau parish.

What kind charity work are you involved in?

I was involved in PHDC, Migrants ministry 7 years back.

How long have you been serving the church to help the poor?

I started helping CHS during the MCO. When the church wanted volunteers to help to reach out those in need.

What kind of work do you normally do?

My work was sending the packed supply to the families concerned.

What inspires you to volunteer at church?

Apprehensive at first as I was badly hurt in a previous parish but on volunteering to CHS, n seeing other volunteers work n parish office staff n parish priest running d distribution felt comfortable.

Do you pray for the family you met? How do you pray for them?

Yes. I pray for them after distribution and driving off as all my recipients are all non Catholic. 

I usually pray that God will continue take care of them.

Share with us an unforgettable moment during your mission.

The 1st trip I made and saw some of the recipients really waiting and in need, I felt how lucky I was.

How did volunteering to help the poor change your life?

All of us are equal only some have and some don’t. And again, I m happy to do something which I was called and in answered God’s calling.

What is your advice for a person who considers volunteering to serve the poor?

Bring yourself to be in their position of suffering and respect them whoever they may be.

(as I am staying in Balik Pulau, I told the committee that I want to continue doing this every month till I am able to. Cos I want the recipients to know that they too are God’s creation.)