The “Open Door”

Since April 28th, 2014 a hot meal has been offered weekly by Open Door, an outreach ministry offered by the parishes of the Humber Deanery in the Diocese of Western NL. Every Monday the meal is served from the Cathedral in Corner Brook to anyone who wishes to receive it. Changes have been made due to COVID-19 restrictions, which means the meal is now a take-away lunch rather than sit-down meal, but this continues to be a successful and greatly valued ministry in the city. In addition to a hot dish and brown bag lunch, each week those served are given a hygiene product. For the past five years the congregations of St. Matthew’s in Rocky Harbour, and Church of the Good Shepherd in Norris Point, in the parish of Bonne Bay North, have participated in a “reverse Advent calendar” through which they offer hygiene products for Open Door. Pictured is the Very Rev’d Catherine Short receiving this year’s offerings from the Rev’d Wilhelmena Green, priest-in-charge of Bonne Bay North, and Paul Green.

In addition to the significant offering of the Parish of Bonne Bay North and the weekly commitment of the parishes of the Humber Deanery, a number of parishes throughout the diocese contribute to the enhancement of this ministry by donating knitted goods to enable the Open Door committee compile a Christmas stocking for those who benefit from this ministry.

The Open Door committee is extremely grateful for the support of each and every parish and individual who continue to make this valuable ministry possible. These small acts of kindness enable us to do God’s work of the kingdom here in our time.

On Monday, January 18th, 2021 a post-Christmas turkey dinner was served to 65 individuals as part of the Open Door ministry. Each year the committee serves this special treat as a sit-down meal, but this year there were extra challenges because of the COVID-19 restrictions. On this occasion, the meal was served as a take-out lunch with apple crisp for dessert. 

Shown are representatives from the city churches preparing for the meal. The photographs are by the Very Rev’d Catherine Short.