The Outreach Program was started by Father Tony O’Dell and Father Jarek Pachocki, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), soon after arriving in Hamilton in 2012 and setting up home at St. Patrick Church. Named De Mazenod Door after St. Eugene de Mazenod, the founder of the Oblates and the patron saint and intercessor for the poor, the church ministry was created to provide sustenance for anyone who comes knocking at the church office door.

“The door is the symbol of openness, welcome and hospitality,” said Fr. Tony. “The ‘door ministry’ is a response to the immediate needs of our less fortunate parishioners and beyond in the heart of the city of Hamilton.”

Calling it a first step in addressing the causes of poverty in the church’s neighbourhood, he added, “Our goal is to help alleviate the poverty in the heart of the city of Hamilton, as we co-operate with the Diocese, schools, civil authorities, police and other social agencies.”

From 50 people served in its early days, the program has grown in recent months to nearly 300 people a day. Realizing that a new, larger facility was needed to accommodate the overwhelming need, Fr. O’Dell approached the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board for help.

Over the summer, the door ministry moved from the church rectory to a ground floor staff room at St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School. The room was refurbished with a separate entrance and serving window so that outreach guests don’t have to enter through the school.

Greeting guests at the blessing of the De Mazenod Door, Daly praised the partnership between church and school, noting “that what we have accomplished here, under Fr. Tony’s vision, is a model for all Catholic schools.”

Turning to Fr. Tony, he added, “Please, please never stop asking. It’s your asking that nudges us to do what we should be doing.”

Noting that “the Catholic school system is our most powerful weapon to change our neighbourhoods, city and world,” Fr. Tony said the collaboration has resulted in a historic day for inner city Hamilton and “the big winners are the poor and marginalized in our streets,” said Fr. Tony.

“Our children are watching,” he noted. “Let us get it right.”