Called to Serve the Poor: Street Mission Butterworth

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’( Mat 25: 35-36)

To feed the hungry, to give water to those thirsty, cloth the naked, to look after the sick and the visit the imprisoned- is the spiritual objective of the Samaritan Hope’s Sr. Fatima who came on a street mission to Butterworth upon the invitation of Fr. Dominic. Sr. Fatima with her volunteer Molly arrived on June 2^nd with the intention of surveying the need for a homeless shelter in Butterworth.

Their Street mission began after the Friday evening mass, whereby Sr Fatima and Molly along with a couple of volunteers from NBVM walked the corridors around Maybank, Taman Mewah and the flyovers near Penang Sentral. These areas have become a common place for the homeless to sleep at night – some have been rejected by families; some just released from prisons and some just have nowhere to turn. Without trepidation but gentleness and warmth, Sr Fatima approaches the homeless and hands them some water and buns. Their eyes light up and there is a smile that connects them to her immediately. Race or creed becomes irrelevant at this moment, the homeless are simply touched by the mere presence and simple gestures of kindness. It is with such ease that a conversation ensues, and they tell her their story.

The mission which began on that Friday night touched the hearts of many at NBVM including youths to continue with the mission to reach out to the poorest of the poor. The four-day mission with Sr. Fatima bore fruits with some volunteers committing themselves to carrying out the mission weekly. After much survey and discussion, Sr. Fatima expressed her desire to set a soup kitchen to feed the poor and provide a shelter for the homeless. Samaritan Hope will now journey towards Butterworth with the mission of free service to the poor and the poorest of the poor.

For Sr. Fatima, each one of the brother and sister is the face of Jesus– ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mat 25: 41). Sr. Fatima simply exudes compassion and joy that is contagious and motivates others to move with her on the mission. She says that we are meant to be missionary people to radiate the love of Christ to others.