In Luke 6:32, Jesus says, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” Jesus goes on to issue this challenge to his followers: “But love your enemies, do good to them” (Luke 6:35). It is not enough for us to love the people that are easy Read more
I’ve always loved hosting fundraising events for charity, donating to causes like the Food Bank, Morning Star (Collingwood program), Our Lady of Sorrow Family Charity, BC Cancer, and supporting families who have lost loved ones. In Christmas 2022, I had the honor of volunteering with The Door is Open charity. Read more
Joji was first introduced to the Door is Open in 2021 by her friend, Evelyn, a regular volunteer. Initially, the intention was that Joji would fill in whenever Evelyn was unavailable, but this ultimately led to Joji becoming a regular volunteer as well. When asked why she chose to volunteer Read more
Ten years, a mixture of laughter and sadness, tears and joy. An experience of being loved and accepted, and being cursed and rejected. When I have reflected more deeply on each of the situations I experienced, I could not help but smile and say, “what a loving God I have, Read more
Congratulations to our dearest Sr. Chita Torres on the 25th anniversary of her Religious Profession of Vows. We have been incredibly blessed to have had Sr. Chita as co-manager at The Door is Open for 9 of those 25 years, and we hope that she will spend many more years Read more
Starting in 2022, Guardian Angels Parish has a new outreach program – the Manna Ministry! What is the Manna Ministry? As per their website, “The mission of the Manna Ministry is to follow the teaching of Jesus by loving and serving the poor and the homeless. We do this by supporting The Read more
Seven years ago, Jeanie had not heard of The Door is Open (DIO). Now, except for a break caused by the pandemic, she has been at DIO every day of the week! Jeanie attends Mass regularly at Holy Rosary Cathedral and remembers Fr. Eason talking to her about joining the Read more
After missing a year because of the pandemic it was wonderful to welcome back Lynda Perovich and her enthusiastic group of volunteers for their annual beef chili lunch service (is this the 15th year already?!) This is a day when the regular staff can sit back and relax as Lynda’s Read more
It is obviously an understatement to suggest that a great deal has changed in the lives of many, many people across the world since the Covid-19 pandemic was declared just over twelve months ago. For the people of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that has meant, among other things, less opportunity to Read more
In April of this year, I mentioned in a previous submission that I was feeling fortunate to be able to continue to assist in the efforts at The Door is Open during the pandemic. More that six months later, I continue to feel fortunate to have been able to participate, Read more