Sister Sarah Marie Lee found

herself at Good Shepherd after

a long journey from Seoul,

Korea to Spain and then to

Canada. Her 3-month place-

ment through the Missionary

Sisters of the Precious Blood,

an international congregation,

gives Sr. Sarah the opportunity

to do her novice training – a

double vocation in missionary

and religious life at Good

Shepherd in Toronto, and a

chance to be immersed in a

different culture.

“I never thought about religious life,” says Sr.

Sarah. She was a kindergarten teacher, a

principal and a college teacher—all of which

came with their own rewards. “I used to chase

power and fame, always wanted more – goal after

goal and always staying busy, but I was never

fulfilled – there was always something missing in

my heart and I didn’t know how to fill it up.”

A few years later, Sr. Sarah walked the Camino

de Santiago (The Way of St. James) on her own,

a 1,000 km spiritual pilgrimage in northern

Spain which took 40 days and averaged 25 km

per day. “It was very emotional—an important

period in my life—a turning point.”

Fifteen days later, Sr. Sarah

entered the congregation.

Now in her final month at

Good Shepherd, Sr. Sarah has

learned many new things “I am

learning and listening to the

stories and histories of many

people. It was a culture shock

as I thought Canada did not

have this homeless problem.”

Something Sr. Sarah does at

the Good Shepherd is ask

everyone their name—making

note of it along with a personal

characteristic in a small notebook she tucks in

her apron so that she may recognize them the

next time they meet. In that notebook is also a

Korean poem that addresses our instinct of want-

ing to be recognized and acknowledged by

others.

SPRING 2015

One way to practice hospitality: calling each person by name

Inside this issue:

Music as Therapy 2

Tax Time 2

Food for Thought 3

Giving Thanks 3

Making a Difference 4

Other Ways to Help 4

The Flower

by Kim Chun-soo

Until I spoke your name,

You had been no more than a mere gesture.

When I spoke your name,

You came to me and became a flower.

Now who will speak my name,

One fitting this color and fragrance of mine,

As I spoke yours,

So that I may go to him and become his flower.

We all yearn to become something.

I yearn to become an unforgettable meaning to

you, and you to me.

GOODSHEPHERDGUARDIAN

GOODSHEPHERD.CA

Sister Sarah’s journey from Seoul to Spain to Toronto

GOODSHEPHERD.CA

MUSIC SOOTHES THE SOUL

While attending a conference in

Toronto, world-renowned music

therapist Wang Feng decided to

do some volunteer service.

As luck would have it, Wang con-

tacted Good Shepherd Centre and

her volunteer time was booked.

“It was interesting to meet and

work alongside various other vol-

unteers, from visiting American

students to local Toronto folk,

who were very warm!”

Music therapists have traditional-

ly worked with survivors of differ-

ent types of trauma and they are

increasingly involved in providing

services to war trauma survivors.

Just like the hundreds of thou-

sands of guests we serve each

year at Good Shepherd Centre,

our volunteers who walk through

our Queen Street East doors each

year (8,000 in 2014) also come

from different places and walks of

life.

We were thrilled to welcome

Wang and look forward to seeing

her again sometime in the future.

Did you know that everyone is

eligible to file their income tax?

Bob Clancy, a long time volun-

teer at Good Shepherd, knows

this very well.

Bob started volunteering at Good

Shepherd Centre at the morning

drop-in. He saw a need to help

those using our services with

their taxes.

Answer, to hold a Saturday tax

clinic in the dining room to help

our clients file their taxes. Bob

has been doing this for the last

10 years.

“I’ve heard all kinds of stories”

says Bob. “People have lived all

over the world and when you

look at how little they have, it’s

truly amazing how there is never

a complaint.”

We are not surprised given the

kind nature Bob has and the

wonderful work he does with

Good Shepherd. Bob estimates

that he does about 150 taxes a

year which brings his total to

close to 2,000 tax filings for our

clients—thank you Bob!!!

2014 Stats:

421,267 - Number of meals

served

1,154 - Number of meals served

daily

36,856 - Number of clothing

items distributed

33,636 - number of overnight

guests sheltered

3,008 - guests who received nurs-

ing care or specialized health ser-

vices (foot, dental, vision)

8,000 - number of volunteers who

helped provide services to those

in need

“I had a most enjoyable time at

Good Shepherd. The working

energy in the kitchen was

harmonious and I felt very

happy to be able to contribute

as a team member.”

OFFERING MORE THAN TAX ADVICE

WE NEED YOUR HELP...

Clothing Room Attendant - Monday, Thursday or Friday mornings 9-11 am

Please call Rebecca 416.869.3619 x 262 or email rebecca@goodshepherd.ca

2

JUNIOR ACHIEVERS MAKE A

DIFFERENCE

Selina and Fei volunteered during March break through a Junior

Achievement Company Program called Infinitea. The purpose of

this program is to offer grade 10 to 12 students the experience of

operating a business. These young ladies helped with many kitchen

tasks and served hundreds of guests at the afternoon meal.

“It was a pleasure seeing how much you and your staff do for the

less fortunate. You all are really making a tremendous difference

every single day and we are so glad we came to witness that and be

a part of that. Thank you for all that you do and thank you for let-

ting us volunteer.”

Selina & Fei

GIVING THANKS FOR YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU DO

Good Shepherd’s annual volunteer recognition event was a celebration of thanks for YOU - our dedi-

cated volunteers. For those who were able to attend, guests enjoyed a turkey meal with all the trim-

mings cooked and served by Chef Narie and her team. The evening was filled with music provided

by DJ Chris and some high spirited dancing. Some folks even won prizes for their skills on the dance

floor! A fun way to appreciate the incredible time, talents and dedication of our volunteers who make

a great difference every day at Good Shepherd.

3

GOODSHEPHERD.CA

HOW YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

See the many ways volunteers participate in serving the homeless and disadvantaged

GOODSHEPHERD.CA

Thank you Gap/Old Navy (Canada)

employees for waking up once a

month well before dawn to serve

breakfast to our 91 overnight guests!

Scarborough’s Wexford Collegiate

students take a well-deserved break

to pose for a picture after helping us

make beds in our dormitories, fold

linens in our laundry and sort food in

our pantry.

The team from the Eaton Centre

Microsoft store took time to serve the

afternoon meal and gave a great gift

to the Gala Silent Auction.

Thanks to The Grade 6 Knitting

Club from C.D. Farquharson Jr. P.S.

and Ascension of Our Lord CSS

Knitty Gritty Club for the toques and

scarves that helped keep dozens of

guests warm this winter.

BMO Staff take a moment to pose

with our Chef Narie in our pantry.

Along with several team building

dates, BMO has also fundraised

thousands of Hygiene Kits which

provide our clients with basics like

soap, tooth brushes, band aids, and

combs.

In 2014, Good Shepherd Ministries

hosted 53 Corporate Days of Caring

groups. CIBC volunteered through this

program dozens of times and sorted

tons of food. Thank you for all your

hard work and dedication.

Paul and his sister Carla held an

event to collect the “bare necessities”

like toiletries, socks and briefs.

CITI Financial has some fun while

working hard at Good Shepherd—an

event they organize several times

per year!

Tel: 416-869-3619, ext. 262

Fax: 416.869.3680

Website: GOODSHEPHERD.CA

Mail: 412 Queen Street East

Toronto, ON M5A 1T3

Charitable Registration Number:

89250 8169 RR0001

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN

HELP THE HOMELESS

1. Organize an event to benefit Good

Shepherd Ministries - a party, a

concert, a bake sale.

2. Participate in the Provide-A-Meal

program

3. Make a gift in honour of a special

occasion, birthday, wedding.

4. Remember the work of Good

Shepherd Ministries in your will.

For more information, please call

Adrienne at 416-869-3619, ext.

223.

@goodshepherd_to

We luv ya! Keep in touch!

4