News from our friends in the Catholic Volunteer Movement

CVM in Canterbury

‘Caritas Christi urget nos’

At the end of August we bid farewell to our former premises in the heart of Canterbury where we have been holding our soup kitchen for the last four and a half years. Over that time we reckon that we have been able to serve between 400 and 500 guests. Some came only once and others would come to each soup kitchen. About half a dozen of our guests have died and many have moved on during that period. We have seen others go down hill physically over the as life on the streets prematurely ages them. That final soup kitchen attracted a record 36 guests and here are a few pictures of them 

These are the good souls who helped serve them that day

Our new premises are not so central, but are well known to our guests because from Monday to Friday it is open from 9am to 1pm as a day centre for the homeless and needy. We are the only group to use it at weekends and consequently we would like to have more soup kitchens and longer hours because no other facilities are available for our guests. There are insufficient helpers locally for us to achieve this, so seek more assistance from those of you further afield. Please e-mail us at – catholicvolunteermovement@gmail.com if you are able to help at all.

At the first soup kitchen in our new premises on Sunday 26^th September, we were very pleased to have the use of a large kitchen. Our guests were able to make use of two large rooms with tables and chairs. Not only could we provide our usual soup, sandwiches and hot drinks, but we had the opportunity to make a hot meal for them which was greatly appreciated. This also meant that more helpers were required in the kitchen and so less were able to talk to our guests. With more souls able to come along to assist, this would help overcome this problem. After the food was served we were able to find a quiet spot where we able to say the Rosary with some of our guests who now come to expect it. 

Our new premises in Canterbury -

Now that we have more space, we are looking for donations of good books, clothes and sleeping bags which we can distribute. Also we have designed a logo and are having some posters printed so that more get to know of our apostolate.

Soon, we hope and pray that the CVM will be established in London, Newbury and Oxford. If you are able to help out at any of these, then please email us.