This was my first visit to Canada. The first week I was fortunate to live in the community at Hamilton where provincial curia of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Good Shepherd Province is situated. In Hamilton they operate various charitable activities such as, Men’s Homeless Shelter and Dining hall for the general public, Support services for women and children, Centre for crisis support, People with various disabilities, Youth shelters, Venture Centre for Clothing and Food distribution and a Warehouse etc. They operate about 24 various services in Hamilton. During my stay in Hamilton they opened the Christmas Hamper programme expecting more then 3000 families to shop for their Christmas supplies.  There people can come and choose their food, clothing, toys, and many other items which they require to celebrate Christmas. Every day at least 400 families came to get the benefit. It is more than like a super market where people can choose their own food, clothing, toys etc. only difference is that they do not pay before they leave.  All the items they receive are from corporate donors, individuals, school/parish food drives as well as local business.

The Brothers provide every year for Christmas a Christmas dinner to the economically less privileged people. Around 3000 people came for the dinner. It was a big event. All major dignitaries of the town came and served the meals beside 700 volunteers. They set up indoor play ground (bouncy castles) for the children and everyone receives a gift before they leave. The Brothers do very John of God style ministries. When I moved to Toronto community where the novitiate house is located I could also experience similar things. The Brothers operate different services. They provide two meals daily Breakfast and dinner for around 350 to 400 people daily. In Toronto they provided also a dinner on Boxing Day where 1200 poor people benefitted. They conduct rehabilitation programmes for drug and alcohol addicted persons. Clothing and toiletries articles are supplied daily for the poor.

I am asked to take up the responsibility as the Novice master in the Province. Currently there are two candidates to enter Postulancy. In January the postulancy will start in Albuquerque under the guidance of Bro. Sean McIsaac as postulant Master. When I come back from Sydney June this year I will take up the responsibility as Novice master in Toronto. Currently I do enjoy going to the Good Shepherd centre to assist distributing food, clothes and toiletries articles for the poor. It is a 20 minutes walk to the centre from the community in winter. Luckily this year so far there was no heavy snowfall in Toronto except one night we had some snow fall after Christmas. There was no white Christmas this year. The temperature was 14 degree centigrade on Christmas day which was unusual.

Brother Vincent Kochamkunnel