I Am The Dear Neighbour, Too.

I was recently blessed to be in a gathering for someone interested in the CSJ Associate experience and program - a program of lay women and men in ministry alongside the Sisters of St. Joseph. We began with singing along with a prayerful song with the words, ’Take this bread, bless it, break it, and give this to all we meet today’. This was followed by a Maxim (100 wisdoms from 17th century Father Medaille in living one’s faith) that centred on humility. It may be helpful to note that the CSJ charism is unifying love, and it calls Sisters and Associates to serve the “dear neighbour” without distinction. My reflection touched on humility. I shared a realization I had had early on as an Associate that,  I am the dear neighbour too.  In the awareness that I too am the dear neighbour, there is humility and reciprocity, giving and receiving, diversity and unity - oneness in relationships whether human, in Creation, and beyond. This helps me to keep my heart open in all my encounters. 

As I shared with the small group, I remembered an experience on unity and oneness in community that I had while on a tour in India. There was a Sikh temple in Delhi we visited that had an accompanying community kitchen. We took off our shoes, covered our heads and entered what seemed to be a very large and long community kitchen. Donations were dropped off daily outside the kitchen and seemed to just appear. The meal was prepared by many with people coming for a short time to help or full-time to prepare, serve, enjoy and clean up. We helped make flat bread during our time in the kitchen. 

I would have loved to be able to stay for a community meal experience. Our guide shared that everyone eats together, sitting on the floor, side by side… A community meal prepared and shared by community ‘without distinction’. The experience resonated for me with our opening prayer in song, ‘Take this bread, bless it, break it, and give this to all we meet today’. Then some folks clean the trays for the next sitting. 

There are several seatings, every day, hundreds and up to a thousand people receive a free simple meal together, regardless of background, religion, or social status. Giving and receiving, breaking bread and blessing one another, without distinction… Amen. 

-Sandy Bell-Cameron, CSJ Associate

The Sisters of St. Joseph currently lead a similar ministry serving those most in need in our community, detailed below.

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A Living Expression of "The Dear Neighbour"

The mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph is not simply a legacy of the past—it is a living invitation to respond to the needs of our time. Downtown in London, Ontario, that mission is embodied through St. Joe's Café, a ministry that welcomes and nourishes those who are most in need in our community.

The Sisters over the years - St Joseph’s Hospitality Centre to the recent St. Joe’s Cafe. A ministry of love for the dear neighbour.

Guided by the CSJ charism of responding to the "dear neighbour" without distinction, St. Joe's Café is more than a place where meals are served. It is a place of encounter, dignity, and belonging, where every person is welcomed with compassion and respect. In sharing food, conversation, and hospitality, the ministry reflects the Gospel call to love our neighbour and to recognize the presence of God in one another.

“You pray for the hungry, then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.”

— Pope Francis

The Sisters of St. Joseph have long understood that transforming the world begins with relationships rooted in love, justice, and service. St. Joe's Café continues that tradition each day, reminding us that welcoming the dear neighbour means meeting people where they are, accompanying them with compassion, and building a community where everyone has a place at the table.

If this ministry speaks to your heart, we invite you to consider becoming part of it. Whether through volunteering your time, sharing your gifts, or making a financial contribution, your support helps ensure that St. Joe's Café remains a place of welcome, nourishment, and hope for our dear neighbours. Together, we can continue the mission of serving Christ in one another and extending compassionate hospitality to all.

Interested? Please contact our Cafe Administrator, Tracey at St. Joe’s Café, 101-602 Queens Ave | London, ON | tel: 519.432.0660 | email: stjosephshospitalitycentre@csjcanada.org

✨ A Feel-Good Story We Just HAVE to Share! ✨

Cafe Coordinator Tracey, with Jillian, one of the Socktober Sisters

✨ A Feel-Good Story We Just HAVE to Share! ✨
Meet Audrey and Jillian — lovingly known around our St. Joe’s Café as The Socktober Sisters 🧦💙

Seven years ago, these incredible young women first came to St. Joe’s Café with King’s University College volunteers. Even then, their hearts were already set on helping others. Their journey truly began when they noticed a guest walking into the café with no shoes. By the time they tried to help, he was gone — but the moment stayed with them. It opened their eyes to the challenges many in our community face every single day.

From that moment, Socktober was born.

Since then, Audrey and Jillian have:
🧦 Created donation bins in businesses across the city
🤝 Partnered with local nonprofits
🌆 Built beautiful community connections
💙 And collected over 14,000 pairs of socks for our guests here at St. Joe’s Café

And this year? They’ve outdone themselves again.
In October alone, they brought in 3,264 pairs of socks — their most successful year yet! 🎉

To Audrey and Jillian: thank you for your kindness, your dedication, and your giant hearts. Your work reminds us that even the smallest items can make the biggest difference.

To everyone who has supported Socktober along the way: thank you. One pair of socks may not seem like much, but to someone facing hardship, it can mean warmth, comfort, and dignity.

We are so grateful. 💛
Amazing doesn’t even begin to cover it.

— St. Joe’s Café 🧦✨

St. Joe’s Café: Honoring Treasured Volunteers

A warm, mid-July afternoon was the day chosen for the Sisters of St. Joseph and staff to pay tribute to the dedicated volunteers of our St. Joe’s Café.  The Sisters’ residence dining room was a cacophony of voices as the men and women greeted each other, and rejoiced in being together to celebrate, share stories and be part of an endeavor that offers hospitality, community, and meals to London’s lonely, hungry and most in need.

Tracey Morton-Sader, our hospitality centre coordinator, along with the team of Jamie, Larry, Nadine, and Fifi invited some 90+ volunteers that support our St. Joe’s Café to join us for a celebration of their incredible work with us.  Tracey led the proceedings with immense thanks to the volunteers for their collaborative work that makes St. Joe’s the welcoming place that it is. 

Sister Margo Ritchie, our Congregational Leader, addressed the group:

“When I am at meetings with our partners and say that we have about 100 volunteers, their eyes pop a bit. It is a truism to say that without you, we could not do it. And what is it you do?  Besides preparing meals, chatting with guests, problem solving, diffusing some heated situations, waiting on tables, doing dishes, which itself is more than enough.  You do this: you help people stay in their housing by providing food support; you help people (and perhaps yourselves) know that they belong; you offer hope by your consistent welcoming presence.”

Amid the joy and laughter of the afternoon, delicious food and treats were shared. Some volunteers tried their hand at games, while others engaged in conversation and catching up on what has been happening in their lives. A special joy was evident as Sisters greeted volunteers who had worked alongside each other for many years. 

The work of volunteers and people dedicated to justice and good works is as necessary these days, as it always has been. As we Sisters age and step back from the front line of duty, I think of the words of Colonel John McRae in his poem, “Flanders’ Fields.”  With two words changed, he penned,

“to you from aging hands we toss the torch; be yours to hold it high.”  

It is heartening to see that our works are continued through generous volunteers who embrace tending the dear neighbor wherever she/he/they might be.

Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Image: Unsplash/Dave Lowe