Church joins with Mary Mac's

Heaven's Song Church members joined together with Mary Mac's Place volunteers to recognise National Homeless Persons Week earlier this month.

Mission coordinator Ms Cybelle Liporoni said church members had a wonderful experience being part of a combined mission with a multicultural team, reaching out to the homeless people in Sydney and on the Peninsula.

"We served several meals and offered salvation as a free gift from the Lord," Ms Liporoni said.

"We had planned to do a major barbecue fundraiser at Ettalong Beach but unfortunately it rained so we postponed the event and donated our sausages to Mary Mac's Place at Woy Woy and enjoyed a nice hot meal in return.

"The food was beautiful and well presented and everyone was very impressed with the love and quality of care the meals were presented with.

"All the volunteers had a smile on their face and enjoyed what they were doing."

Ms Liporoni said Mary Mac's Place provided more than 1400 nutritious hot meals to homeless and disadvantaged people in the Peninsula every month.

"This precious gesture of love plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable families in our community," Ms Liporoni said.

"According to statistics, every night over 100,000 people are homeless in Australia and the number is growing.

"Our mission is to raise awareness of the homeless issue around us, as many people still believe on a stereotype and are not conscious of the real need of people and the difficulties they face.

"Half of the people who experience homelessness in Australia are under 25.

"Others have financial problems that make it hard for them to meet their needs.

"Mary Mac's Place offers a place to share a meal and provides information and referrals to assist people in dealing with the many difficulties in their lives.

"We ask for our community to be aware of this need, pray about it and contribute in any way to this urgent, growing situation in the Peninsula."

Press release, 26 Aug 2010 Cybelle Liporoni, Heaven's Song Church