As the Christmas lights shone across the land, a group of fourteen young adults from the Armagh RC Cathedral Parish went to Belfast to try and bring the light and joy of Christmas to those on the streets of the city.
The young adults had collected kind donations from parishioners, including sleeping bags, coats, jumpers, hats and scarves and money.
The young adults travelled down with a full van load of items which were delivered to the People’s Kitchen in Belfast, who provide clothes and food to those living on the streets.
Independent Belfast City Councillor Paul McCusker, one of the founders of the People’s Kitchen, then took the group around the city, meeting the homeless and listening to their stories as well as giving out some of the donations.
Members of the group were touched by the experience with one group member saying “it was really eye opening and it really puts into perspective what life is about.
“You realise those on the streets are just normal people like us and life has maybe dealt them a hard time.” Fr Barry Matthews,
Administrator of the Cathedral Parish said: “It is really heartening to see so many young people putting their faith into action to help some of the most vulnerable in our society at Christmas time and to recognise the face of Christ in the poor.
“This has been an excellent initiative, we are blessed to have a parish community that is so generous”.
Those in the group displayed a deep desire to return again to help those on the streets after their experience.
A special thank you to all who donated and also to the Year 13 students from St Patrick’s Grammar School and St Catherine’s in Armagh from the Youth Alpha Group who took the time to sort many of the donations.
The Young Adults Group will continue to meet at 8pm on a Tuesday evening in Armagh Parochial Hall beside the Cathedral Gates for faith formation and to discuss future outreach initiatives. Anyone aged between 18-30 is welcome.
