Lupita (Maria) Macias, and her daughter, Julie, have witnessed how sharing a meal can build community in a way they’ve never experienced before.
Lupita has lived in Harvey for 31 years and loves any opportunity to connect and talk with her neighbors — whether they speak Polish, Spanish, or English; regardless of their age, race, faith, or ethnicity. When the opportunity arose for a new ministry to start at her hometown parish, Lord of Mercy, she embraced it, immediately recruiting dozens of volunteers — including her daughter, Julie — to join her in serving.
“For me, it is a blessing, because it’s something I have tried all my life to teach my children,” says Lupita, who was hired in January as the coordinator for the meal. Every Wednesday after serving, she says, “I am so happy because the community is happy, too.”
Breaking down walls, building community
The Shared Table — a program made possible by generous Catholic Charities donors and volunteers — provides free, hot meals to any community member in need at sites across Cook and Lake counties. Responding to an increasing demand for meals like these in Chicago’s southwest suburbs, late last year Catholic Charities began searching for a new host site. Lord of Mercy, with a newly renovated kitchen and enthusiastic community of volunteers like Lupita and Julie, surfaced as the perfect partner.
Under the leadership of Father Gary Graf, Administrator at Lord of Mercy, the church’s doors opened for The Shared Table in November. The combined effort of parishes in Harvey, Midlothian, and Chicago Heights, dozens of community members are welcomed every Wednesday night for a hot meal.
“When Jesus said, ‘When two or three are gathered, I’m there in your midst,’ it happens every single time,” Father Gary says. “It’s just creating the scene to bring people together. There are people being fed, but those who are serving are being fed even more.
“We’re breaking down walls that otherwise previously existed and kept us away from each other.”
An opportunity for service and encounter
Catholic Charities Vice President of Faith and Mission John DeCostanza says this is one of the great gifts of service: “It offers us the opportunity to see ourselves reflected back in the people we encounter.”
Julie says the experience of serving alongside her mom at The Shared Table at Lord of Mercy has allowed her to get to know her community in a deeper sense and to see her community with new eyes. “Within The Shared Table, we have that time to sit down, enjoy a meal, talk to our neighbors and other people within the community,” she says. “This is something that I grew up with, and I never saw it until now.”
Julie says serving has also allowed her to see her mom with new eyes — and to deepen their relationship. “It’s something that my mother always taught me as a child: to serve, to be able to give back, give to those in need, and to not be selfish,” Julie says. “And always, to remember to thank God.”
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