November 2016
Historic St. Matthew Lutheran Church, located at 2108 West 21st Street, Chicago, IL 60608, again will have a Thanksgiving Dinner at El Comedor Popular soup kitchen for the homeless people of the “Heart of Chicago” and Pilsen neighborhoods on Tuesday, November 22, at noon. Because of the increase of poverty and high unemployment in the area, it is expected that not only the homeless but families of unemployed people will be happy to find a place where a special Thanksgiving Dinner will be served to everyone.
Maria Leal, St. Matthew’s miracle worker as one of the founders of the soup kitchen more than 25 years ago, in spite of her health problems will organize the Thanksgiving Dinner with the assistance of Clara Garcia and other volunteers. As in the past, the dinner will have a Mexican touch with mole, a special chocolate sauce that will be optional for those who like it. Rev. Cesar Sifuentes will be the host and also in charge of the devotions that feed the souls of the hungry.
As in past years, there is an urgent need for money donations from congregations and individuals willing to partner in this special mission of love and compassion. In a time of deep concern about the economy of the poor families in Chicago, St. Matthew’s El Comedor Popular Soup Kitchen, following the teachings of Jesus, is not only interested in providing food for the hungry people but spiritual healing to diminish their anxiety. St. Matthew makes an appeal for your prayers and support to make this Thanksgiving a happy and blessed day for everyone.
The Thanksgiving Dinner, as in past years, will have the help of Rev. Matthew Troester and 20 members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Matteson, Illinois.
MARIA LEAL’S CANCER FUND.
St. Matthew’s miracle worker, Maria Leal, continues to undergo chemotherapy to treat cancer and continues to assist with the food program for the hungry as much as she can. Your prayers and donations will be deeply appreciated because Maria never had any health insurance in her 30 years of work at St. Matthew.
For further information, please call 773-847-6458 or 773-668-8692.