A Franciscan Journey

Joanne Lockwood and Rick Roberts were already on a journey when they stepped up to become part of the organizing committee that launched Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen in March 2008.

Serving lunch Monday through Saturday to the homeless, the jobless and the working poor, and last month reaching a milestone of over 25,000 meals, the soup kitchen is a reflection of their journey -- a journey to live the Gospel life as Franciscans.

After two years of formation that included study, spiritual reflection, prayer and challenging dialogue, Joanne and Rick made their permanent profession into the Secular Franciscan Order on Sunday, June 21, during a 2 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church.


Franciscans from the parish's St. Joseph Fraternity were there, along with family and friends, soup kitchen volunteers and even a few soup kitchen clients. Fr. Richard Dellos, pastor, and Fr. Kevin Kenny, OFM Conv., a Franciscan friar who directs the Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine in Fonda, celebrated the Mass. Father Kevin presided at the rite of profession, along with Fraternity Minister Katie Koscinski, SFO, and Formation Director Mary Stronach, SFO.

"Do you wish to embrace the gospel way of life by following the example and words of St. Francis of Assisi, which are at the heart of the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order?" Father Kevin asked.

"Yes, this is what I want," each said.

After a few more questions, each of them made the profession, declaring:

"I, (Joanne/Rick), by the grace of God, renew my baptismal promises and consecrate myself to the service of his Kingdom. Therefore, in my secular state, I promise to live all the days of my life the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Secular Franciscan Order by observing its rule of life. May the grace of the Holy Spirit, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our holy father St. Francis, and the fraternal bonds of community always be my help, so that I may reach the goal of perfect Christian love."

"I confirm your commitment in the name of the church," Father Kevin declared.

Joanne and her husband, Richard, have three sons. As a volunteer, she is the soup kitchen's daytime supervisor. She is an avid crocheter and motorcycle enthusiast. She has been primarily a homemaker and, for two years, she worked in the kitchen at Poland Central School. Joanne is a parishioner at St. Joseph-St. Patrick. Prior to joining the parish, she was a catechist with St. Leo's Church in Holland Patent. She grew up in East Utica and is a graduate of Proctor High School.

Rick and his wife, Rose, have two sons and a daughter. He is a special education math teacher at JFK Middle School in Utica. A graduate of SUNYIT, he went on to earn his master's in special education from SUNY New Paltz. He grew up in Utica and graduated from JFK when it was still a high school. In his spare time, Rick enjoys gardening and landscaping. An adult convert to Catholicism, he is a parishioner at St. Joseph-St. Patrick.

After their profession, Fraternity Minister Koscinski and Formation Director Stronach exhorted:

"By your lifelong profession to go from Gospel to life and life to Gospel, may you continually encounter the living and active person of Christ."

"May you conform your thoughts and deeds to those of Christ and build a more fraternal and evangelical world by fulfilling your vocation as a 'brother and sister of penance'."

Now Joanne and Rick can append the "SFO" designation after their names, signifying that they are professed members of the Secular Franciscan Order -- a canonically established order recognized by the Vatican as part of the Franciscan family.

SFO Profession: Joanne & Rick

He Had to Retire to Work at the Soup Kitchen

Working 60 hours a week, including evenings and weekends, left little time to try things he wanted to do.

So Psychologist John McCabe retired a month ago -- after 32 years as a state employee.

And for the past three weeks, he has spent his Tuesdays and Wednesdays volunteering at the soup kitchen.

"I wanted to do more," he said Wednesday, before sinking his arms into a sink full of soapy pots and pans. He had heard about West Side Kitchen a year ago in church when Deacon Gil Nadeau made a pitch for volunteers.

John was laughing and chatting with other kitchen volunteers (Joanne Lockwood, Mary Schmitt, Pat Haguit and Connie Mulhill). The group took a break to pray together -- to prepare themselves to serve their hungry guests. Two other volunteers -- Mary Stronach and Bill McMyler -- arrived in time to join them. They read a poem, "Strange Prints in the Sand," where God tells of holding someone in his arms, only to drop him on his butt. For there comes a time,

"when one must rise and take a stand
Or leave their butt prints in the sand."

That prompted them to discuss how tough times often spur people to turn to God. After a few minutes, they ended the discussion and returned to their stations.

The doors were opened, and a line of people poured in. The first in line was a blind man with a white cane speedily making his way along the familiar corridor.

"Wayne!" the kitchen staff cheered in unison. He was the first of 74 guests Wednesday, which included three moms pushing infants and a toddler in strollers.

People Are Good to Us

The Utica Common Council honored the volunteers of Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen this week with a proclamation and a good citizenship award.

Betty Frank, SFO, accepted on behalf of Father Richard Dellos, pastor of St. Joseph-St. Patrick parish; Deacon Gilbert Nadeau, soup kitchen director, and all the volunteers.

Council member James Zecca read the proclamation "praising Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen and volunteers on the occasion of their first anniversary," and then displayed the "West Utica Good Citizenship Award" presented to volunteers "in recognition of their community service to helping others in need."



The proclamation:

-- noted that the soup kitchen was named after Blessed Mother Marianne Cope, the parish daughter who went on to devote the last 30 years of her life as a Franciscan missionary to the lepers of Hawaii's Molokai.

-- cited the "150 kitchen volunteers" who "have served nearly 20,000 lunches and logged over 10,000 volunteer hours serving the poor and homeless in our community."


-- extended the Common Council's "gratitude, appreciation and sincere thanks for the outstanding work, dedication and positive service to our community."

-- honored "the unified efforts of all who have supported and contributed" to the soup kitchen's "success."

The presentation, originally scheduled two weeks earlier, was postponed when a resident attending the council meeting suffered a fatal heart attack and the meeting abruptly ended. In accepting the proclamation and award, Frank invited city officials to visit the soup kitchen any weekday between 11:30 and 12:30, and said the volunteers were grateful to the community for all the support the operation has received.

Frank, a professed Secular Franciscan who helped organize the Mother Marianne Prayer Group and Shrine at the parish, added:

"People are good to us."

You Can Show Up Tired, and in 5 Minutes, You're Not Tired Anymore

It was time for soup kitchen volunteers to celebrate.

Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen reached its first anniversary March 10. Volunteers had cooked, prepared and served more than 20,000 noontime meals. And given up 10,000 hours.

But the talk at an anniversary Mass and reception was about the gift of serving.

"By the grace of God, after one year, we know it is a privilege to be able to serve people in our community...especially those who are hungry or in need," Fr. Richard Dellos, pastor, said in his homily.


While enjoying refreshments and cake, a number of the 35 volunteers who attended -- out of over 100 -- turned their thoughts to the people they serve, and to an unexpected joy of working together.

"One of the wonderful things is when the people come in, they thank us for the food, and when we smile, they thank us for smiling," said Ana Pereira.

Added Diane Hnat: "I can't tell you how nice the people are. If you say, 'God bless you,' they say 'God bless you' back."

Joanne Lockwood mentioned the camaraderie.

"We have a good time in the kitchen," she said.

"We do!" said Diane.

"If somebody's having a bad day, we help lift each other up," added Ana.

"Thank you for your efforts," Deacon Gil Nadeau, director, told the volunteers. "I say that on behalf of the people who sit in the dining room and eat with a smile on their faces."

Referring to the 10,000 volunteer hours, he said: "You can't put a price tag on that...Everything is totally volunteer. That's why it works, why we're self-sufficient."

Bob Oderkirk, who with wife Donna coordinates the Wednesday evening food production, mentioned how blessed they were with the 20-plus volunteers who turn out every time they get together.
Each of the past two production nights, the crews prepared over 1,000 sandwiches and over 20 gallons of soup.

"We're able to keep the freezers stocked...and it doesn't seem like work."

They start the evening with prayer, with helps set the tone, he said, and suddenly, the fun starts.

"You can show up tired, and in five minutes, you're not tired anymore."

A Christmas Blessing

Some 185 people celebrated Christmas at the soup kitchen Thursday. The hungry. Those alone for the holiday. And volunteers full of Christmas cheer.

It was a record number, and a huge jump over the 100 people who enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner there.

Not only did they enjoy a Christmas menu of turkey, stuffing, yams, squash, salads, rolls, pies and candy cane, but they also were treated to gifts left by Santa's helpers. Personal gifts for the men and women, and toys for some 20 kids.

"Everything went very smoothly and we had just the right amount of food," notes Deacon Gil Nadeau, soup kitchen director. In fact, "the food was great, and nice and hot."

He offers a "special THANK YOU" to the "small army of volunteers" who "kept things rolling along smoothly," who "cleaned up," and who helped make the "Christmas Dinner a total success."

Bob Oderkirk (the evening volunteer food preparation supervisor), Donna Nelson and Jeannette Williams, SFO, "did a magnificent job setting up and directing the 'action'," Deacon Gil notes. "Liz Droz added some nice menu items and really chipped in." And Marilyn and Dave Schwalbach "handed out a goodly portion of the over 200 toys we had displayed in the chapel."

It was a Christmas blessing. For everyone.

You Won't Be Alone

"People ask me how we got the idea to start a soup kitchen," Deacon Gil Nadeau told the congregation at the weekend Masses.

"It was through prayer."

In praying, in communicating with God, "we received a call to come down off the mountain" and take action. "You responded with your support. You responded with your donations..."

"A few days ago we surpassed 15,000 meals served, and that's just in the first nine months of operation. I thank you for that, for making it possible..."

"Jesus commanded, feed my people. We all responded."

Deacon Gil noted that the soup kitchen would be open on Christmas Day, serving a turkey dinner.

Everyone is invited, he said. Hungry neighbors. Senior citizens. Anyone who may be alone this Christmas.

You won't be alone at Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen.

Kids Put Faith into Action

"I feel like I'm working at a restaurant," 6th grader Emma Short giggled as soup kitchen guests started arriving Monday at Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen.

"That's exactly right," beverage station volunteer Veronica Prezybyla shot back. "Only, you don't get any tips!"

Emma was one of ten 6th graders from St. Mary's School in Clinton who were excited about returning to the soup kitchen to volunteer.



They were a little nervous before they came the first time, back in November, teacher Bernadette Verna admitted. But they took to it right away, she said, and "they've asked to come back."

She added: "They feel as though they're doing something worthwhile, and they bring a joy with them. The guests seem to really appreciate it."

The adult volunteers were all smiles, too. "We love having the kids here," noted volunteer daytime supervisor Joanne Lockwood.

"They're so enthusiastic about helping out," added Pat Fletcher, a regular Monday volunteer who was there both times the 6th graders showed up. "They do everything: They wash the dishes, they go out and clean the tables, and they serve the food. They make it fun to be here."

Fun also was how 6th grader Anne Krysczuk described working there. "I feel like a waitress."

Sixth grader Jack Hughes said, "It makes you feel good when you help people," and classmate Daniel Hillman was convinced their presence "really helps the needy."

Sixth grader Madeline Krasniak spoke of a sense of community: "I like helping here because it's for the good of the community... We all should care about each other because we're all part of the same community. It doesn't matter who's richer or poorer."

The students arrived with some 20 bags of food and goodies to donate to the soup kitchen -- the spoils of a "dress down" day at the elementary parochial school, where kids got to leave their uniforms home for a donation of foodstuff.

In addition to Mrs. Verna, the contingent from St. Mary's included two parents, Kelly Liddell and Maureen Hughes, and the following students: Madeline Krasniak, Anne Krysczuk, Emma Short, Audrey Bartels, Collin Liddell, Troy Newman, Michael Howard, Daniel Hillman, Tyler Jury and Jack Hughes.

"We're always preaching to them" about loving their neighbors and helping people in need, as part of a Virtues Program, their teacher said. Here "they get a sense of people 10 miles away from them who need help; it's not some other country."

In other words, she said, "They're putting faith into action."