St Francis’ Table volunteers see God’s miracles served up one plate at a time in the parish hall on Dornoch Terrace, reports The Catholic Leader.

For nine years, St Francis Table has hosted community lunches on the first and third Mondays of every month; on the other weeks, they drop hundreds of three-course meals to the front doors of families and homebound people in Dutton Park parish.

*Sr Salvacion Bunao with volunteers and community members at the ninth anniversary of St Francis’ Table. PHOTO: Steph Rogers/Catholic Leader.*

Behind it all was Franciscan Immaculatine Sister Salvacion Bunao.

“Sr Salvacion may only be 110cm tall, but to us she is a faith giant, in how she lives out her faith and brings love to hundreds of people,” St Francis’ Table volunteer Audrey Smith said.

“I now live a busy and spiritually enhanced life thanks to her example and St Francis Table.”

St Francis’ Table ministry started as a way to reach out to refugees living in the community, but it took on a wider call after what Sr Salvacion was seeing on her home visits.

Sr Salvacion was shocked by the level of loneliness and social isolation.

“Never had I heard of people in their 80s and 90s who planned to commit suicide because of loneliness,” she said.

She told her parish and volunteers about what she was experiencing and the community rallied behind St Francis’ Table.

Sr Salvacion said hospitality was a sacred duty.

“Especially as a Franciscan, we welcome anyone of any background or beliefs – we welcome guests as we welcome Christ,” she said.

She said St Francis’ Table was a “beautiful place” where people from all walks of life “felt the confidence to open up about personal experiences”.

Volunteer Hollie Letts said Sr Salvacion had a way of making “you feel that you truly matter in life”.

“I have seen people who come for the first time, sit alone with anxiety and loneliness, and over time start to engage by talking and getting involved with exercising, playing games and learning to pray for each other,” she said.

“As a volunteer I have realised that we all struggle with hurt feelings and by listening and building each other up, it has led to a comfortable and safe environment, where friendship has grown.”

A typical day for Sr Salvacion and her volunteers begins with cutting boards out and stovetops cooking from 8am.

Around 9am, the guests start to arrive either to play games or have a conversation with one of the volunteers.

At 11am, Sr Salvacion leads the group in prayer, reflection and the Angelus; after that, the alfoil comes off the pans and the group digs in for lunch.

Sr Salvacion remembered the first gathering had only four or five people from the community.

A normal gathering now sees about 40 people and the bigger occasions – the anniversaries, the Christmas lunches, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Days – they draw about 90 people.

Sr Salvacion said nine years was a major milestone and her heart was full with gratitude.

“I cannot do this without my volunteers, I am so grateful for them,” she said.

She said they always strived to bring a smile to people’s faces.

This article by Joe Higgins was published in The Catholic Leader.