Lazarus CentreChaplaincy News

Volume 2, Issue 2 St Peter’s Day, 2015

The Homeless JesusPolice in Davidson, North Carolina, received calls from citizens complaining that a “hobo” was sleeping on a prominent park bench. The homeless person was covered by a blanket with only feet protruding. The figure was actually a sculpture by Canadian artist, Timothy Schmalz. It is distinctive in that the only visible body portion, the feet, have deep wounds representing the nail wounds of Christ. The “hobo” was the homeless Jesus. The picture shows the rector of Davidson, the Reverend David Buck, sitting with and contemplating the homeless Jesus. The sculpture has been installed in more than 15 sites throughout the world and there are plans for many

more. The only Australian site so far is in Perth, at Mary Mackillop Catholic Church, Ballajura. The sculpture has proven to be

controversial. Some believe that the depiction of Christ as homeless is belittling and that a more appropriate image would be of a strong Jesus defending the homeless (perhaps more like Christ the

Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro).

The Timothy Schmalz Homeless Jesus is more than a poignant reminder of

the reality that too many members of otherwise affluent communities face homelessness. It is a “frozen sermon” illustrating in bronze the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”. Importantly, a full-sized installation includes room on the bench for people to sit beside the figure and reflect.

This sculpture is an inspirational witness to the challenge of Christ to care for those who are without friends, family or homes.

In this issue:

• Canadian sculptor, Timothy Schmalz has created a sculpture of Jesus as a homeless person. For more see the USA Today video at

• w w w . u s a t o d a y .c o m / v i d e o s / n e w s /n a t i o n / 2 0 1 4 / 0 2 / 2 6 / 5836263

• Kate and her husband Garry have recently begun volunteering with the Breakfast program. As local residents they noticed increasing numbers of homeless people and wanted to do something to assist. Kate says however that she gets as much as she gives from volunteering.

• On Sunday 26h July, following 11am High Mass, Bishop Stephen Cottrell will launch our Coffee Cart, a social enterprise which will provide training in hospitality for Lazarus centre participants.

• Terry’s story: Terry Tuckwell, a valued volunteer at St Peter’s Breakfast Program discusses his journey from homelessness to home again and the part the breakfast program played in his “homecoming”.

• L a z a r u s C e n t r e Chaplaincy is funded by the St Peter’s Charitable Foundation. Find out how to support this ministry at www.spehcf.com.au/lazarus

Fr Philip Gill

From the Lazarus Centre Chaplain

Kate gives a volunteer’s perspectivemore than just breakfast. I have nothing but complete and utter admiration for the incredible Anglicare Staff,

Fr Philip Gill & fellow Volunteers who have welcomed us both into their lives. It is an experience that indeed humbles you when you are blessed to work with people that are generous, humorous, entirely decent & dedicate their working lives to supporting & enhancing the lives & well-being of those that frequent the program. We all take for granted so much, we always want and expect more from life, however

the wonderful community at the Breakfast Program at St Peters that I am now fortunate enough to be involved in is now the thing that I most look forward to doing & the favourite part of my week.

My husband Garry and I commenced volunteering with at the Breakfast Program at St Peter’s almost 2 months ago. We live locally and have always been concerned for the welfare of those without homes. On Easter Friday we walked through the city and when the footpaths were empty of shoppers & professionals, it became ever so apparent the scale of homelessness.

We are regular donators to various charitable organisations, yet personally I wanted to be able to contribute in a more substantial manner. My goal was to help in some small way & yes I do this by washing & drying some dishes, I am a minor contributor to an organisation that provides so much

On Good Friday we walked through the city and when the footpaths were empty of shoppers & profession-als, it became ever so ap-parent the scale of home-

lessness

Terry Tuckwell (pictured below with Fr Philip) is now a fixture at the Lazarus Centre starting each morning by preparing for the Breakfast Program—but he hasn’t always felt so comfortable. In 2012 Terry suffered a relationship break-down and became homeless, living in the Botanical Gardens and separated from his beloved children.

Terry had always been fiercely self-reliant and found it difficult to ask for any help. He says of his first encounter of St Peter’s Breakfast Program, “I must have walked past the place seventeen times, too nervous to go inside. Eventually, one of the other blokes said to me, ’I’ve been watching you walk past for the last two weeks, come in and have a coffee.’ I’m glad I did.”

Through the Breakfast Program Terry made contact with other services that could assist him get his life back on track. Melbourne Central and Melbourne Streets to Home helped him find good accommodation. They also encouraged him to join an over 50s social group.

Eventually staff asked Terry to help by washing the dishes after breakfast. Soon his talent for organisation and cooking came to the fore. He has not looked back since, he says, “It made me feel like a person again.” This story illustrates the care and thought

he puts into his work. Terry prepares menus from donated food to prepare meals at St Peter’s and St Mark’s Community Centre Fitzroy. Once someone donated some Kangaroo back straps. “I know what I’ll do with these!” said Terry straight away. He marinated them in lemon myrtle and native plum sauce for four hours—a treat that was greatly appreciated by staff and participants alike! Terry received an award from Anglicare Victoria for his dedication to his work at St Mark’s and St Peter’s. Now Terry has a home, his volunteer work, and is able to spend much more time with his children. He wanted this article to conclude with

a thankyou to the staff of the Breakfast program: Louise, Sarah, Alex, Sam and Fr Philip. “Life is beautiful now!” Terry says, “I wouldn’t be in this place without St Peter’s”.

Page 2 Lazarus Centre Chaplaincy Newsletter

Mission to the MarginalisedSt Peter’s is hosting a mission 19th to 26th July. In that time, Bishop Stephen Cottrell, bishop of Chelmsford, England, will be among us encouraging renewal of personal faith and ministry to the wider community.

The Lazarus Centre Breakfast Program is an integral part of St Peter’s and there are two events that will focus on this ministry.

On Sunday 26h July, following 11am High Mass, Bishop Cottrell will launch our Coffee Cart, a social enterprise which will provide training in hospitality for Lazarus centre

participants. The Coffee Cart will also provide some ongoing work for participants as it offers cof-

fee to those who pass by St Peter’s. The coffee cart will be run in conjunction with Adolf Mora who since arriv-ing in Australia has trained as a barista and bought his own commercial grade cof-fee machine! Adolf is pic-tured left offering coffee to St Peter’s parishioner, Terry Porter.

Bishop Cottrell will also vis-it the Friday BBQ lunch on 24th July. He will celebrate God’s generosity and high-

light the mission of the church to care for society’s marginalised people.

Terry’s Story

The Lazarus Centre Chaplaincy is funded by the St Peter’s Charitable Foundation. Find out about this ministry at the Foundation website; www.spehcf.com.au/lazarus. Donations can also be made at : www.spehcf.com.au/donations