In Lewiston, Maine, a remarkable story of faith in action has been unfolding. The Prince of Peace Parish’s Cross the Street Ministry has been serving the city’s homeless and vulnerable population for over a year now, with a simple yet powerful mission: to serve those who are often overlooked and ignored.
Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, around 11 am, the parish’s food truck rolls out of Holy Family Church and heads to Kennedy Park, where many community members experiencing homelessness can be found. Behind the wheel and in other vehicles are volunteers from the parish’s Cross the Street Ministry, who serve snacks, sandwiches, coffee, and water, as well as distribute essential winter items like hats, gloves, and blankets.
The ministry, which began in August 2023 with a handful of people handing out food once a week, has grown to involve around 80 volunteers. They make up three crews: the street crew, who deliver the items; the packing crew, who prepare snack packs and other essentials; and the sandwich-making crew, who prepare hot coffee and sandwiches in the church kitchen.
The ministry’s impact is evident in the faces of those it serves. Sofia, who has been homeless since November, appreciates the kindness of the volunteers, saying, “They’re all so nice and helpful, and they just want you to know that God is there and to show you that.” Chase adds, “They have coffee, for one. That’s very helpful. They have food you can take and eat later. That’s very helpful.”
The inspiration behind the ministry came from Father Daniel Greenleaf, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish, who recognized the challenges facing downtown Lewiston and wanted to play a role in addressing them. “We figured that since the Basilica [of Ss. Peter & Paul] is right in the center, the whole parish is right in the center of it all, that we should be part of some solution, addressing the issues,” he explains.
The volunteers are not only providing a vital service to those in need but also experiencing personal growth and transformation through their involvement. Rit Leslie, one of the organizers, says, “When you engage with these folks and ask them their names, maybe it’s the first time they’ve had anybody call them by their name in weeks, and you see their eyes light up.” Denise Begin, another organizer, notes that the ministry has become a way for parishioners to give back to the community and show gratitude for the blessings they have received.
The Cross the Street Ministry was recently recognized with the top award from Catholic Charities Maine’s Parish Social Ministry Matthew 25 Awards, which included a $6,000 grant. The parish plans to use this funding to purchase a heating unit for their food truck, allowing them to offer hot meals in addition to sandwiches and snacks.
As Father Greenleaf puts it, “The big thing is not that people are getting a bologna sandwich. It’s the parishioners who are being changed. I just watch them and their excitement of doing God’s work.” The Cross the Street Ministry is a powerful example of how faith can inspire acts of love, kindness, and compassion in our communities, and it serves as an inspiration to all those involved.
Sourced from https://portlanddiocese.org/
Images from Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland’s Facebook Post.