Matthew 28: 18-20
www.agapestreetministry.org
Spring 2012
PAGE 1 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012
Agape Street Ministry Volunteers are called to bring the Love of Jesus to women who work as prostitutes and or have drug or alcohol addiction. Through non-judgmental and prayerful actions and words we share God’s unconditional love for the women. AGAPE HOUSE 887 Keefer Street Vancouver, BC V6A 1Y8 604.215.4115
Kateri Centre, Keefer St, Vancouver
CONTACT US! Looking to volunteer? 604.375.4847 Email:
[email protected] WEBSITE: www.agapestreetministry.org
AGAPE Day of Reflection Call for more information (To be announced)
SANCTA MARIA HOUSE House of healing in Vancouver 604-731-5550
DONATION INFORMATION Agape House: 604-215-4115 NEW! Donate Online canadahelps.org (Sancta Maria House Vancouver)
Dan Dobin, President ASM, and Director SMH Sharon Dobin, President, SMH, and Director at Large ASM Austin Peterson, Vice President, ASM, and Director of Surrey Street Teams, Director SMH Maria Martins, Director of Vancouver Street Teams and Director of SMH Wayne Brazeau, Director of Agape House Angela Kaiser, Director of Finance, ASM and SMH Marla Poirier, Agape Street Ministry Newsletter Editor Dior Drego, Volunteer Coordinator, ASM Tara LaLanne, Director at Large, ASM
PAGE 2 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012
Land of the Living
Looking back over the years of struggle, pain, loss...darkness. my heart sinks and rises just as my life did. Looking back over the years I am also moved to tears, my heart weeps with gratitude, as I realize without Gods children there would be no hope, no love...no light. As God used many to love, restore and rescue me from the gray dismal that was my life I am amazed at the beauty, selflessness and love that still lives in the heart of man. No matter how dark the generations seem to grow, God is still alive and well; never growing weary, never failing. I think that possibly myself and many like me may be experiencing one of cruelest and misunderstood plagues of our age. This spiritual malady “addiction” not only strips and destroys all that is good from the sufferer but utterly breaks the hearts of those who love us. Then cruelly and eventually “addiction” will take that love too. Left alone, broken and lost, we are helpless against the torments of addiction; that will lastly take our lives. At this point death is welcome. There is the Sacred... when God’s children begin to pray and give selflessly. The miracles, love, and grace of God breaks forth, shines in the dark hour and night. Divine intervention released. Our faces, our eyes, our hearts reflect it and we are raised from the dead. Although dead, we now live and for God we live again. By
Selene Mortimer (a pencil in His hand)
In joy and contentment may God be blessed. In a dark hour and a long dark night may God also be blessed.
PAGE 3 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012
words on the street Agape Street Ministry
IN
SURREY
What an awesome experience to see the eagerness the girls have to open their hearts and pour out to us their sorrows, fears, hopes as well as their thanks. They look to Agape with trust to take these and lift them in prayers for them. And with such love, they do. Though they are going through such overwhelming struggles, I am touched by
AND
VANCOUVER
their genuine concern for us. Inasmuch as we are there for them, they give back to us so much more. In the short time I have been walking with Agape, I have become so much more aware of the power of God’s love and Mercy, and how it grows. by Laura, street minister
Vancouver Street Team
On my first night walking downtown Eastside with my Agape group, it seemed surreal to be there. Being able to have the opportunity to reach out to those less fortunate and suffering in such a tangible way truly felt like a blessing to me. To share smiles, laughs, hugs, a tear or an ear... to give hope. It was obvious to me by their welcoming smiles and joy at the presence of this amazing street ministry, how important the volunteers are to them in their lives.
Every time we go out to witness to the ladies they are very happy to see us with a smile on their faces. Most of them ask for prayers and most of them want prayers there on the street. They have been touched by Agape love as we pray over them. Over the years we have been walking for Agape, some of them have gotten off the streets. by Mike and Zenny Trainor
PAGE 4 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012
Has Agape deepened my faith? Agape is defined as unconditional love. Our mission at Agape Street Ministry is to bring God’s love to the women we encounter on the streets of Vancouver’s downtown eastside. In doing so, we ourselves will feel and know how much we are loved and cared for by God. On our first walk, almost ten years ago, I had this uncomfortable feeling that I wouldn’t know what to say or how to pray for the women we met. This was a new experience for my husband and me but we both felt at the time that God was asking us to step out of our comfort zone and put our trust in Him. It was time for us to put our faith into action! We have met so many amazing women over the years. Each of them has their struggles and their triumphs but through everything that they endure, they have a strong relationship with God. Many of the women tell us how much they treasure all the prayer cards they receive in their candy bags and how they display them on the walls of their rooms. It always touches my heart whenever I hear the women say how much the prayer cards mean to them. We often ask the women to read what their card says and it’s amazing how many times it was just the word that they needed at that exact moment. We know then that is God speaking to each and every one of them through His word.
We are His hands, His feet, His love, His kindness, His compassion, His smile, His embrace while we are on this earth. Our prayer before we walk embraces these thoughts and we carry them in our actions and in our hearts to share with every person we meet on the street. So, has Agape Street Ministry deepened my faith? A resounding YES!
Judy, Maria and Mark, long time Agape street volunteers Agape Street Ministry has helped me personally to draw much closer to our Lord and has really strengthened that special place in my heart where He resides. Just seeing how God works through us and how much us being out there week after week means to the women on the street has helped my faith grow exponentially. Whether we are out there walking or talking about it afterwards, I can’t help but feel His love. I know that in faith, we carry the Truth with us every night and share it with everyone we meet.
I pray that my faith continues to grow deeper every day. I can see God’s love in our friends on the street and how much He cares for them and protects them and wants to heal them. He wants that for all of us! How Great is Our God!!!
by Judy, street minister
Every candy bag Agape gives to someone has a scripture, prayer or word of encouragement and detox information and a few pieces of donated candy pieces. PAGE 5 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012
DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD SEE OTHER FILE
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DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD SEE OTHER FILE
PAGE 7 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012
Project Advance
Thank you!
We would like to share our joy and express our great gratitude for the updating of our basement Program Room at Sancta Maria House.
Work is a good thing for man— a good thing for his humanity — because through work man not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also achieves fulfilment as a
Many thanks to all of you in our Catholic Communities that have made this possible through your donations to Project Advance.
human being and indeed
Our program room has been transformed into a very delightful and efficient area that supports our Creative Card Program and our new Sewing and Textile Program.
“more a human being.”
Our appreciation to Reverend Vincent Hawskwell and Maureen Kreelman for their incredible insight and design abilities. Maureen put her heart and soul into this project and the outcome was outstanding for Sancta Maria House. We are now able to support two women working at cards while four other women are designing, cutting out and sewing beautiful quilts all at the same time. Women who have never touched a sewing machine are now turning out aprons, table runners, and pj’s before moving on to more complex projects. Alumni women are returning to Sancta Maria House to continue growing in their skills, while having opportunities of giving of
in a sense becomes
John Paul 11 Laborem Exercens
themselves, being productive and staying connected with the support system available to them at Sancta Maria House. We are so grateful to God for giving us these opportunities to explore and rejoice in our gifts, expand our horizons, to increase the common good of our community and to grow in the gift of being industrious.
PAGE 8 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012
“Everything is Possible to One who has Faith” Mark 9:23
D aily S u rrender R ecovery M inistry Noel and Dyan Slaney have been married 14 years and share a love for Jesus and each other. They have been actively involved in ministry activities at St. Matthew’s Parish in Surrey and Dyan served with Agape Street Ministry in 2002/03 as part of a street team ministering to the women on the streets of Surrey’s Whalley, Guildford and Newton neighbourhoods.
both of them to grow and deepen their faith and love of Jesus. They had grown in an understanding of God’s truth. Noel and Dyan reflected on aspects of their bible
They compiled a prayer book composed of a series of prayers that resonated with the call they were undertaking; Fr. Augustine blessed the prayer books; a Divine Mercy card formed the front cover — Everything is possible to one who has faith.
When asked to be the presenters for Agape Day of Reflection in March of 2012 Dyan’s initial thought was “I can’t do this!” Dyan carried this request in prayer with her to Mass the next day. The short homily didn’t seem to be related to the gospel of the day but the message was loud and clear “ You have a story to tell and you are ready and called to tell it.” Noel and Dyan had discerned over time that God was calling them in a special way; calling them to reach out to those struggling with addictions; showing them that God wanted those struggling with addictions to come to know him and his son Jesus! This discernment process took time — years. One day over lunch cleanup, Dyan observed a fellow on the street in front of their house. This was not surprising as there was a recovery house down the road from there home. However, what struck Dyan that day was “a sense of an aimless wanderer,” someone in need of knowing Jesus. “The truth will set you free. Free from addictions!” she thought. “Somebody has to tell them the truth!” She felt that God was speaking these words directly to her. The immensity of the challenges overwhelmed them. The idea that somebody had to tell them the truth stayed with them. God had a plan. For four years Noel and Dyan had been facilitating bible studies. This had allowed
Alcoholics’ Anonymous group, a meeting room at a church was established. When God wants something he does make it happen!
The weekly meetings were to be structured and designed to bring those in recovery closer to God, to experience His healing touch in their lives. All meetings were to begin and end with prayer drawn from the ministry prayer book. Selected passages from the Life Recovery Bible were to be chosen ahead of time and then read at the meeting to form a basis for meditation, dialogue, discussion and individual sharing on readings. The first meeting started with five people showing up ½ hour late.
study of the book of Acts, and the need to act! But how and what specifically was God calling them to do? Dyan thought back to earlier times in her own life and she remembered a book she had read back in 2002. The first sentence of the book… it’s not about you…. it begins with God’s purpose. This was the place to start. They were led to the Life Recovery Bible designed specifically as a tool for 12 Step Recovery and along with the Daily Surrender Ministry name which Noel had purchased over four years earlier because he “just liked the sound of the name”, they launched out into the deep. Soon through connections with an
With a dozen doughnuts waiting to be shared, that night they learned that Jesus wanted to transform their lives. That Jesus was in the ultimate recycling business. That Jesus could turn any situation around and that nothing was too big for Him. Jesus wanted all of their stuff bundled up and brought to the cross. They learned that Jesus wanted to save them! He paid the ultimate price for them and that He has the power to break their bondages to sin, and to addiction. Noel and Dyan’s story continues to unfold — so do the blessings. People are changing. God had a plan.
Isaiah 49 “I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
PAGE 9 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012
“God has a special place for the poor. The poor are where God lives. God, my friends, is with the poor and God is with us if we are with them. This is not a burden this is an adventure.” - Bono
Are you being called? Volunteers called to serve are the heartbeat of Agape Street Ministry. Without the commitment of over 150
THERE ARE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE RIGHT NOW!
• Surrey Street Ministry. Men and women for day and night time, talents, and passion to those we serve, Agape Street ministries.
dedicated men and women who selflessly offer their Ministry could not carry out its Mission which is
“to tell the women that Jesus loves them”.
PRAY! Listen to the Lord, then heed His call, and then call us!
Volunteer: 604-375-4847
• Downtown Vancouver. Men and women needed for day and night ministries. • Sancta Maria House. Drivers and computer assistance and maintenance help. Sewing Program Coordinator, Relief House Parents. Mentorship. • Training and discipleship is offered for all ministries.
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Sancta Maria House
Hope, Healing and New Life!
If you, a loved one, or someone you know wants to be free of an addiction to drugs or alcohol, then Sancta Maria House is waiting for you. At Sancta Maria House — your
new home —
you will be offered loving support, direction and encouragement. At Sancta Maria House you will be surrounded by loving, committed staff and volunteers who will journey with you on the road to freedom from addictions. You will embark on a journey in self discovery, personal revelation and freedom. You will come to know Jesus and experience His healing in your life. Our Healing Program will be presented to you within a Catholic, Christian framework, while embracing the Concepts of the 12 Steps Program. You will have the support and intervention of skilled counsellors who will help you understand broken areas and assist you to gain new insights and experience healing. Loving, gifted facilitators will share their gifts and talents with you through the varied programs offered, some of which include, The 12 Step Programs, Life Skills, Daily Recovery Groups, Weekly Assessment Interviews, Bible Study, Pastoral Visits Daily Mass and Rosary, Creative Arts, Health and Wellness,
A Gift Awaits You at Sancta Maria House Recreational Activities.
Hope, Healing and New Life! Call Us 604-731-5550
PAGE 11 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012
AGAPE HOUSE Main Office
For Street Team Ministry Rosaries
A CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
NEEDS LIST AGAPE HOUSE 887 Keefer Street Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1Y8
Tel: 604 215-4115 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.agapestreetministry.org SANCTA MARIA HOUSE HOUSE OF HEALING IN VANCOUVER
604 731-5550 DONATION INFORMATION AGAPE HOUSE
604 215-4115
On line: canadahelps.orgº
Wrapped candies eg. caramels, mints, sours, suckers, & chocolate kisses (250,000 pieces of candies needed yearly to make 35,000 individual candy bags. They serve as a means to give a small spiritual card with an encouraging message & Detox contact phone numbers into the hands of the women that are ministered to.)
- Chocolate bars (small size) - Sandwich bags (fold top), curling ribbon - Rosary booklets - Pocket size New Testament Bibles - umbrellas, gloves, toques - Prayer cards For Breakfast Team
- Oatmeal (long cooking oats & instant pkgs) - Brown sugar, white sugar - Cold sweetened cereal (Rice Krispies) - Jam, honey, Cheez Whiz, margarine, canned juice, powdered milk - paper napkins, paper towels - Coffee, hot chocolate, tea, & juices - Canned meat (prem or ham) eggs, and pancake mix - Diswashing liquid and bleach - Cling wrap and aluminum foil. Birthday Bags (New Items Only)
- Medium sized gift bags 20x25cm & tissue - Christian birthday cards - Catholic Bibles - New/Gently used small (6 inch) Stuffed animals/toys -New only: perfume, cosmetics, nail polish, toothpaste, toothbrushes, ladies socks - costume jewellery - sanitary napkins, & tampons Gift Certificates for Special Occasions
-Gift certificates to restaurants -Bowling gift certificates -Passes to leisure or fitness facilities -Family orientated entertainment outings
SANCTA MARIA HOUSE House of Healing in Vancouver Note: The following items to be donated must be marked on package ‘Santa Maria House’. Household Needs: - Comforters single (Twin) - Kitchenware - New Brooms and Mops - HE Laundry Detergent Education Program - Journals, spiral notebooks, 8.5x11 paper Creative Arts and Cottage Industry Programs: - Scrapbooking and card making supplies, old greeting cards. - Card stock, Sizzix Dies, envelopes, glue sticks, scissors, ribbon - Cricut cartridges - Skeins of yarn
Personal Needs - New Underwear & slippers, socks - Deodorant, shampoo and conditioner Food & Groceries & Household Products - Canned goods - Fresh produce - Cereals, pastas & rice - Dairy products - Baking ingredients - Napkins, paper towels, toilet paper and tissue - Cleaning supplies
PAGE 12 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2012 Agape Street Ministry wordmark and logo are unregistered trademarks and wordmarks owned by the Agape Street Ministry, Catholic Christian Outreach. Written authorization for the use and distribution of our logo is required.
