It all began with two boxes of medical masks. We have come a long way—from having nothing to lacking nothing.
The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic began to break out in Hong Kong at the beginning of 2020 and caught everyone off-guard. Panic purchasing of masks in the initial stages due shortage of supply disrupted the lives of Hong Kong people, even the elderly had to join the panic buying, grasping whatever was available. The pandemic added to the already heavy burden of poor families and individuals. Some people had to re-use masks for extended periods of time.
That was the time when Father Thomas Law Kwok-fai and a few parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (OLMC) began to ponder if anything could be done to help improve the situation of the marginalised. In addition to praying, they felt Our Lord would also wish us to go into the community and find out more about the needy.
In February last year, we took the two boxes of masks—remaining supplies for first aid use in the latter half of 2019—and distributed them to the street cleaners, workers at a nearby garbage depot and collectors of used cardboard boxes, among others. After a while, thanks to the many benefactors who responded to our call, donations of masks, food stamps, supermarket coupons, bread and biscuits, cash, and so on, kept arriving at the church.
Cash remittances were received from the faithful overseas to support this “act of love” activity. From the attached table, we can see the areas covered and number of beneficiaries have grown beyond our wildest imagination.
All these depended upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the support of benefactors and, most importantly, our volunteers who have been actively involved in packaging, distributing and keeping inventory. Everyone responded to God’s calling and fulfilled our priestly duties as followers of Christ.
You are all cordially invited to join us in reaching out to the needy. Our weekly schedule as follows: Thursday evenings at 7.30pm, packaging of supplies; Friday evenings at 7.30pm, visitation and distribution.
It is our pleasure to share with everyone our acts of love, hoping that more brothers and sisters may live out their Christian life not just in words but action.
Story: Doing small things with great love
• Victoria
Chairperson, Parish Council
