By Elvina Fernandez
KUALA LUMPUR – On Jan 1, the Church of St Anthony opened its doors and hearts to begin the new year in a spirit of compassion and fellowship. Through the Bringing Hope to the Table project, parishioners welcomed 150 guests — friends from the streets and those in need — to a sit down meal that was more than just food. It was a celebration of dignity, joy, and belonging, a living witness to the love of Christ shared at the start of a new year.
The initiative was organised in collaboration with Samaritan Home, located directly opposite the church. Its mission of care for the marginalised found a natural partner in the parish community. Together, they created a space where hope could be tasted, heard, and felt.
Members of various parish ministries, joined by families and friends, served hot meals and drinks. Yet the true gift of the day went beyond food. Parishioners offered their presence, listening, conversing, and sharing stories with guests. They embodied the Gospel call to see Christ in every person — not simply serving meals, but sitting with guests, offering companionship, and sharing hope.
By hearing their stories and understanding their struggles, parishioners discerned ways to provide assistance beyond the meal itself. This pastoral attentiveness ensured the event was not mere charity, but a genuine encounter of solidarity and care.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Tables were set not merely for nourishment but for fellowship. Guests were greeted with smiles, treated with respect, and engaged in joyful conversation. Parishioners rotated through tables, sharing meals and conversations, giving many guests a rare moment of being truly seen and valued — a reminder that they are part of a larger family of faith.
The event was rooted in Scripture: “For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me” (Matthew 25:35). These words were not just read but lived in the parish hall, where the boundaries between host and guest dissolved into shared humanity.
Each plate of food, each cup of tea, and each conversation became a sign of God’s love, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Parish priest Fr Dr Clarence Devadass reflected the significance of the day, “This project is not only about feeding the hungry; it is about restoring dignity, building relationships, and reminding us that Christ is present at every table. When we sit together, listen, and share, we discover that hope is not an abstract idea — it is something we can taste, touch, and live.”
Parishioner Aloysius shared a moving encounter. “I saw a man who had only one leg and a worn-out shoe, using a prosthetic to walk. Our parish priest didn’t hesitate to give him a pair of his own shoes. In a time when we complain and run after shoe brands, here was a man who came without a leg and when we served him, the first thing he did was ask if we had eaten. That moment humbled me.
Gratitude and care often come from those who have the least, reminding me what truly matters.”
The day also became a place of unexpected grace. One parishioner reunited with long-lost relatives, who now rely on soup kitchens like Samaritan Home. These tender reunions highlighted that hardship does not erase family ties, and that the Church can serve as a bridge back to belonging. In moments of embrace and recognition, hope was rekindled not only through food but through restored relationships.
As guests departed, each received a care pack prepared by the Parish Integral Human Development Ministry (PIHDM), containing essentials such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a comb, and a towel. Parishioner Marvin Domenic recalled a touching moment. “A child who came with her mother, got excited to see a comb in the care pack and asked for another. It reminded me how the simplest things can feel like a luxury and how small acts of kindness truly matter.”
The partnership with Samaritan Home was central to the event’s success. By working together, the parish and the Home demonstrated how collaboration strengthens the mission of the Church and extends its reach beyond parish walls. This partnership ensured the initiative was not a one-off gesture but part of a sustained commitment to those on the margins, showing that hope is nurtured through consistent care and solidarity.
As the parishioners of St Anthony look ahead to 2026, the Bringing Hope to the Table project stands as a powerful reminder: every table can be a place of compassion, every meal a sign of God’s love, and every encounter a step toward a brighter tomorrow. – Herald Malaysia
