Deutsche - Global Balance

13. Mehl, Marmelade und mehr Österreich
The intention of this project was to support Sr. Mariallac’s daily work especially at Christmas
time, collecting imperishable food and toys for families who are reduced to penury. We were
impressed by many unexpected reactions from givers, saying thank you and encouraging us.
When we made a collection at a big store in Wienerstrasse, there were about 42 big boxes
full of high quality food, chocolate and sweets for children; bringing back joy to the donators
while giving so generously.
The whole project was based on personal communication (we didn’t want to be unwelcome)
within families, friends, colleagues, from church or in the apartment house. We ourselves got
“rich” and often deeply touched by the stories behind (e.g. when children gave their toys for
“poor children”); and again there were many generous givers (very often money and nice
clothes too).
Food, toys … nearly filled half a car, provided by the Pfarrkindergart in St. Veit – additional
activity in the busy time before Christmas! It was a great joy for families and children. This
year, 90 families got “presents”. The “Barmherzige Schwestern” in Graz are in the charity
system, it is their call to help people in cases of need: mothers with children, people who
seek asylum, homeless, old and lonely people. Very often illness or divorce cause their
problems. There are three or even four meals (in winter) in the “Marienstüberl” provided by
Sr. Elisabeth for everybody every day. Poor families may come twice a week to Sr. Marillac
for victuals. The sisters do home visits or care for a visiting nurse; they give legal assistance
and accompany people to offices; they work for integration in their Kindergarten.
Sr. Marillac: “People in trouble get more distrustful and tolerant behaviour is not always a
matter of course. ”The “Barmherzige Schwestern” are working in a network with the local
“Caritas” and various institutions. The municipal of Graz, Land Steiermark, and the “Vinci
Werke” support them with considerable amounts of food and other goods. The religious belief
that you honour God in every person enables them to meet so many faces of poverty.
Another message from Saint Vincent v. Paul, founder of their order, is: “let God be at work,
for us it should be enough to join.”
Many big shops, well known bakeries and farmers let them have victuals, bread, fruit and
vegetables. There is something: people are touched by human fates - they just want to bring
hope to everybody as poverty is part of reality. I think, we all have “given times and hungry
days” and there is heart’s wisdom which may keep us close to earth! Margarita Schuster
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