Oblate Street Ministry in New Westminster, BC

Fr. Ron Rissling, OMI

After a two-month break due to my hip replacement surgery, my volunteer and I were finally able to resume our Oblate Street Ministry here in New Westminster, now in its third year. Though I’m still using a cane, I felt Holy Saturday was the perfect day to return to ministering to our brothers and sisters on the street.

For some time now, we’ve been ministering outside a safe injection site – one of the key gathering places for many of our street folks. I brought along my usual homemade carrot cake, baked in a cross-shaped pan and decorated with the words “He is Risen!” in icing.

We noticed that many of the familiar faces had changed – these seems to have been a small “migration.” As we gathered, we prayed with them, reminding them that the Risen Lord lives in their hearts with Abba Father and the Holy Spirit, and that they are never forgotten. After all, they had been sent to us that very day.

We served dessert first – slices of cake on small plates with forks. Then came the main course: over 20 pancake breakfasts with sausages, scrambled eggs, and strawberries on top. These were leftovers from the Knights of Columbus pancake breakfasts that had been stored in our freezer during my recovery.

One couple we met was literally starving. We prayed with them, and they were deeply moved – not only by the food, but by the words of kindness and spiritual nourishment. The husband hesitantly made the sign of the cross, trying to remember it. Both were in tears as I laid hands on them and spoke words of absolution.

A single man came forward and asked for individual prayer. We moved further along the sidewalk, handing out more meals and slices of cake, along with six bags of essential items. Two men asked for clothing, and we were able to give them the only two bags of men’s clothes we had. We also delivered a large bag of women’s clothing to the safe injection site, where they sort and distribute items free of charge.

Many of those we encountered were sitting on the sidewalk – too depressed or too impaired by substances to stand. Still, we prayed with them, right where they were.

With a few pancake breakfasts left, I decided to drive down behind the old Army & Navy store, now converted into an overnight shelter. A tall fence surrounds the building – perhaps due to past incidents. I spotted two people sitting on the steps behind the fence and called out to let them know we had free breakfasts. They quickly opened the gate from the inside, and we handed them the remaining meals.

One woman lingered and accepted our offer of prayer. Her back was hunched over, and she nearly feel as she opened the gate. She cried as I prayed with her. I wished deeply that God would straighten her spine – but perhaps an inner healing was more important in that moment. I suspect that’s what Jesus and Abba Father had in mind.

My landlord’s mother had come along this week, hoping to take a few pictures for this article and for a PowerPoint presentation in celebration of my upcoming 50th anniversary of priesthood. To my surprise, many of the people we met were happy to be photographed with us.

It felt so good to be back out doing this ministry. Along with my faithful volunteer, Gail, we consider it a true privilege to walk alongside our street community – even in small ways. As Jesus said, “If you give a cup of water (or soup) to others, you give it to me.” Amen.

By Ronald Rissling, OMI