‘Living the dream’ at St. Gerard

 The words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of his “I have a dream” speech echoed through the generations at St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge on Jan. 16, the national holiday dedicated to honor King.

St. Gerard held a celebration to honor volunteers of the St. Vincent de Paul Conference in North Baton Rouge who fulfill King’s dream and Jesus’ vision to “care for the poor and feed his sheep” in the 70805 zip code area. The community joined in the celebration and enjoyed a hot meal.

The event highlighted the successful expansion of SVDP Society into North Baton Rouge when it partnered with “Momma” Seabell Thomas in feeding the poor in the area. Thomas and a small group of volunteers were feeding the poor with what limited supplies they had.

In 2021 SVDP CEO Michael Acaldo, in conjunction with St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room director Denise Terrance, helped expand those services. Volunteers from church parishes throughout the diocese gather on Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Gerard Hall to serve the vulnerable.

They serve about 600 meals a week and are currently looking to expand to a third day.
Before they begin serving, the people have an opportunity to gather for daily Mass, followed by a rosary led by Father Donald MacKinnon C.S.s.R., who is in residence at St. Gerard. Father MacKinnon noted this emphasizes the spiritual element to their ministry.
“We are praying for (the people we serve) and we want them to know we are praying for them,” said Father MacKinnon. “We are feeding their souls as well as their bodies.”
Upon arriving people will encounter David Richard, a member of St. George Church in Baton Rouge. He signs them in and offers to pray for them.

Richard said most people accept the invitation and noted the overarching goal of the mission is to bring people closer to the Lord.

“It’s more than just giving them food and sending them home, it’s giving them hope and letting them know people are praying for them,” said Richard.

The volunteers find that those in need minister to them in the exchange of life experiences and cultures.

Joe Perry, also a member of St. George, who is in formation for the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, said volunteering at St. Gerard School and serving food through the SVDP brought his faith to a deeper spiritual level.

“In diaconate formation everyone may have an idea of what they are going to do or where they are going to serve. But it’s really God’s plan. Now that I am here, I love it and see the beauty of what God is doing,” said Perry.

Among the things that people coming to St. Gerard Hall will notice is the sounds of laughter.

Valerie Edwards, a member of St. Gerard, has a contagious sense of humor and outgoing personality and volunteers say it brightens their day.

“I love anything that has to do with helping people. People coming here say they feel so much love,” said Edwards, who decided to become involved with the North Baton Rouge council after watching the show “Beacons of Light” on Catholic Life Television. The show highlights SVDP volunteers throughout the diocese.

She added she tries to help people forget their problems and give it to God.

She said, “What you are doing here is opening up your heart because you never know what people are going through.”

Volunteer Enola Miller said the ministry is unique among the many ministries she participates in at St. Gerard. She has been so impacted by the ministry that she wishes more people would be aware of the good works done within the St. Gerard community.

“There are some who say, ‘I didn’t know St. Gerard is still here,’ ” Miller said.

Acaldo, who mingled with volunteers and members of the community, is excited to see how the ministry has grown. He credited Thomas, St. Gerard pastor Father Tat Hoang C.S.s.R., the diocese, North Baton Rouge SVDP council president Greg Accordo and Terrance for making possible the good works. He said they provide not only food and services but are being the face of Christ to and seeing the face of Christ in others.

“If you want to feel God’s love, come here to St. Gerard,” said Acaldo.

Father Hoang said the SVDP conference has provided $56,000 of help to 500 of its neighbors in 163 households. Funding came from a $25,000 grant, with the other $31,000 being donations from other churches, private donations and second collections.

But he agreed that one of the most important things St. Gerard provides is hope and love.

“If you serve people with great love they will come,” said Father Hoang.

Wearing a T-shirt featuring images of King, a feisty Momma Seabell announced her dream of having a prayer ministry at local hospitals. During a recent stay in the hospital, she saw the crisis hospitals face in terms of staffing shortage and shortages of supplies.

She believes that this can become a reality because great things happen when community comes together.

“We need Jesus,” said Momma Seabell. “He’s saying come and unite if you want things to change. He said and is saying, ‘I will change it.’ ”

Looking around, she said with a broad smile, “Thank you Dr. King, your dream is being fulfilled.”