Extending hospitality at St. Teresa’s Church, Warsop.

By Sister Susan Richert:

Refurbishment needed doing in our church in Warsop, Nottinghamshire.  Outside, the skip was full of rubbish and one day, one of the founding members of the Café saw a young lad going through the rubble and waste, looking for food.

Inspired by Nano Nagle and the Sisters who followed, and are still following Nano, something had to be done.  This led to the Presentation Associates and friends in Warsop establishing a CAFÉ - on the first Saturday of every month. It took a while to get going but before the lockdown occurred due to COVID, they provided a hot meal for up to 50 guests. This was in line with Nano’s own initiative when she and the first three Sisters hosted Christmas dinner for the poor in their home.

In October 2022, the Associates and friends resurrected the café. Each Wednesday they provided a warm space and a hot meal. However, they discovered that other groups were providing this on a Wednesday – so they decided to move to Saturdays.  Now they have at least 35 guests and several other volunteers, coming along and the number looks set to increase.

Sr Mary (left) lends a helping hand

They provide a warm space, a hot drink, social interaction and a fantastic three course meal. Nothing but the best for those who come in.  A bowl is left out for donations – but no one is ever asked for anything. The Lord does provide because the donations offered do go a good way to covering the cost of the next meal.

In addition, they also do takeaways,  for those parishioners who cannot for some reason or other come to the hall. Neither is it uncommon to see people going out with a little bag – a little something to go with their cup of tea in the afternoon.

What is really important is that those who are serving and those who pop in to see how things are, provide pastoral care – someone who will sit and listen. This is just as important as the meal and certainly valued.