Dear Friends,

Only a motley crew would attempt to combine a Chinese New Year celebration (of the Rooster) with the season of LENT, but we did it… VEGETARIAN STYLE !!!
And now, heartfelt thank-you’s are definitely in order.

First of all, to our host David Walsh, for his generosity of heart and for making available the hospitable and creative space of 6 St. Joseph – always a place of possibility and potentiality ! (Nor did he shy away from running last minute errands… LIKE PICKING UP THE GROCERIES FROM VALUE MART !!!)

Secondly, many thanks to our singers of songs and musicians : Joao de Sousa’s father Custodio, his classical guitar was such a pleasing and mellow addition to our evening. I serendipitously “discovered” Kaye and Josilia Verey at High Park Baptist Church at a farewell party for their pastor and his wife, singing “I am an orphan”, and they graciously consented to perform for us also! To Paul Grady, from the Newman Centre, and long-time musical friend of Our Place, especially for “Resurrection Song.” To Chris Whittaker, who will always be asked to do Murray McLaughlan’s “Farmer’s Song” (especially at Vegetarian events) even though he has a wide repertoire… thank-you one and all. There is a lot of power in a song, as they clearly demonstrated. Pete Seeger once said: “Songs are sneaky things. They can slip across borders. Proliferate in prisons. Penetrate hard shells….I always believed that the right song at the right moment could change history.” Amen!

And thirdly, our very grateful thanks to all those who contributed FOOD… a vast array of fruits of the earth, all manner of palatable provender, herbivorous edibles and culinary comestibles !

· Muchas Gracias to Bill Sarkany at Value Mart Manulife… we were knee-deep in veggies, nothing wasted, all enjoyed, all consumed (eventually!)

· Also to Terry Halata, for making over a hundred dessert crepes, and to Claire Villefana, for the poppy seed cakes and especially the mushroom turnovers that disappeared in the twinkling of an eye!

· Much appreciation to Harvey Silverstein Sr. and Silverstein’s Bakery, long-time friend of St Patrick’s Open Door – their Challah really is the best in town; and to Tre Marie Bakery in Etobicoke for their prize-winning Banana cake and buns. And for those unfamiliar with Croatian “Bureks”, the spinach and feta treats from WestMall Pastry Delicatessen, disappeared in nothing flat – someone was heard to say they were “inhaled.”

· We are especially indebted to Lisa Greenberg of Barrett and Hansen Catering, for making a special trip in on the weekend to whip up her mushroom pasta – happily relished by the parishioners and friends of St. Patrick’s Open Door, for the Ash Wednesday meal. While our “barhops” were too busy hopping on Sunday to remember to warm it up – God knew for whom it was really intended ! Thanks, Lisa.

· We also gratefully acknowledge contributions from Brian and Amy at the Burnhamthorpe and West Mall Variety Store and the Bloor West Mall Dollartopia, business neighbours whose kindness and friendship is always appreciated.

Now, how do we possibly acknowledge the many volunteers and helpers who contributed their time and “hard labour” in planning and preparing for this event. Trying to remember everyone is like giving a speech at the Oscars. But special thanks are certainly due to Brian and Kay, and especially to Cathy Muller for lugging around the cashbox all afternoon and for staying till the bitter end to clean up ! And to the “Happy Angels Gang” from St. Patrick’s Church Open Door, to Henry Hoy and Glen Chafe from Trinity College, for their “heavy lifting” and to Jean and Sarah Jane Topp from Havergal, for (among other things) trimming the fringes off our fine table linens !!!

And to the “Powers That Be” at St. Timothy’s Church (Henry used his best persuasive skills) for the loan of your oh-so-comfortable folding chairs…all of us thank you (and our posteriors especially, thank you!)

Last, but certainly not least, I would particularly like to acknowledge the special efforts of artists Michael Kupka and Joao de Sousa, who rose to the occasion and produced Valentines for the event, and even recruited others - Helen Posno and Max Hayden. And to Scott and Cora Finan and Donny Morra, our printers : Studio 823, who all stepped up to the plate and “delivered.”

In closing, allow us to offer you this FRIENDSHIP BLESSING, which we encourage you to share widely… On behalf of all of us involved with the Paynter Home initiative and 6 St. Joseph House,

God Bless!

A Friendship Blessing

May you be blessed with friendship.
May you feel the warm embrace of God’s friendship
… when you need it most.
May our Gracious God also surprise you,
…jumping out at you unexpectedly,
… bring you a heart of gladness, and much delight !
May you come to know your goodness,
… and your shadow, and befriend it.
May you receive the gift of humility,
… which will teach you to trust God above all.
May you treasure your friends,
… and take the time to nurture them, and challenge them,
… as they nurture and challenge you.
And last, but not least,
May you come to learn eventually,
… how to be a good friend to yourself.