Street Outreach Initiative
Quod eorum minimis mihi
(As to the least of them, so to me. (Mt. 25, 40)
The St. James' Street Outreach Initiative places one of our priests on the Streets of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, as pastor to homeless and marginalized people in our parish.
During regular walks through the neighbourhood, Fr Matthew Johnson meets with, cares for, and prays with all who request it or express a need.
New! Listen to Fr. Matthew's theological rationale for his ministry.
Pastoral care and sacramental ministry is offered in a number of different ways…
Impromptu prayer and blessing;
Information on and direct connection:
Basic Services, including…income assistance, housing, and employment programmes;
Emergency hot meal vouchers;
Prayer cards…providing a few basic prayers for various life situations.
Pocket edition New Testaments; and
An invitation to worship at St. James', and a card indicating the location of our Church and all Mass and Office times.
Sustained intercessory prayer support, through inclusion of names on Mass prayer list, on the parish Prayer Link list, and in the Cornerstone prayer column;
In certain situations, further care is offered through…
Individual strategy meetings, for identifying steps toward greater life stabilization, or even toward a life beyond the street;
Fifth Step sessions and the Sacrament of Reconciliation for those overcoming drug and alcohol addiction;
This outreach purposely does not reduplicate the many existing programs that provide practical necessities and basic services to members of our community. Our emphasis is primarily pastoral—addressing matters of the heart and of the spirit, the problem of human suffering, and the searching existential questions of those who are marginalized.
This begins with reminding people of God’s indefatigable love for them, shown to us in the life and death of Jesus Christ, who was himself homeless at times.
God loves all of us, regardless of our social status; and our pastoral care is offered unconditionally, without the expectation or demand that people will ‘change’ or ‘improve’ in terms of society’s standards. Yet, in some cases, when people are strengthened spiritually, they are more able to move ahead in other areas of life, and they actually begin to do so.
This Initiative is funded jointly by the parish, a matching grant from City in Focus, and the giving of individual parishioners, donors from other parishes, and members of the business community.
This volunteer ministry is shared with and supported by lay leaders and members of our parish, in many different ways.
You are invited to be a part of this work in a number of possible ways.
Financial Giving. Beyond your regular giving to the Church, you are welcome also to support the Street Outreach initiative, with a financial gift. To designate your gift for this outreach, please write the words “St James Street Outreach” clearly on your cheque.
Volunteer. Please contact Fr Johnson directly, if you are interested in supporting this outreach as a volunteer. Although a volunteer programme is still under development, in the coming months there will be a number of practical opportunities to serve in this outreach.
