Oblate store, the first ever OMI store designed to support and help poor families, recently opened in To Kwa Wan, Hong Kong. The store opened on March 19, 2021 during the feast day of St. Joseph.
Fr Slawomir Kalisz, OMI and Fr. Mark Anthony Serna, OMI who are directly involved in the ministry of helping poor families in Hong Kong came up with the idea of renting a space where they can sell different products to support the ministry- and so the Oblate store was created.
The main thrust of the Oblate store is to support the increasing number of poor families in Hong Kong. It also serves as vocation promotion, creating awareness of the OMI mission in Hong Kong and to the world, to encourage the OMI mission partners and other people and to take part and develop the spirit of love and care for the poor by donating some used items that are salable.
With the arrival of pandemic in Hong Kong since last year, the number of affected poor families increased. And so the OMIs in Hong Kong saw the great opportunity and started giving food in selected areas during Fridays together with some OMI youth volunteers who actively join in the program.
“It was so difficult at times. There were times when police officers would carefully watch us because of the protocols implemented by the Hong Kong government. But we never stopped. We just continued giving food especially to old and poor people. Later, I noticed that the police officers became very friendly and I guess they now understood our program why we are there on the streets even during the pandemic,” Fr. Serna said.
With the Oblate store, the OMIs in Hong Kong are confident that it will increase its capacity to help and support more families in the area. More and more people are showing interest to volunteer as working staff in the Oblate store. Volunteers are coming from the 2 parishes of the oblates, OMI youth ministry and from the schools where OMIs are presently working.
At present, 5 volunteers work in the store every single day. The store sells brand new and used items, such as: clothes, kitchen wares, bags, shoes and stationeries. These are donations coming from generous individuals who shared the same vision with the OMIs in helping the poor.
Now, the Oblate store receives regular donations from different individuals and families. With a monthly rent of HK$12,500, the store is gaining confidence that it will generate income to pay for the expenses. Aside from the Oblate store, they also have online selling of furniture, washing machines and other gadgets.
Fr. Kalisz and Fr. Serna, are very optimistic to the success of the project due to the support of all the Oblates in the China Delegation including the four (4) Schools where OMIs are assigned, OMI Parishes, (Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate (MAMI), OMI YOUTH, and other mission partners. In the future, they are planning hire a fulltime staff to join with the volunteers.
For now, Fr. Serna is the store manager while Fr. Kalisz is the store supervisor. The store is open on Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. And on Saturday and Sunday the store is open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Hopefully, the Oblate store will create consciousness to the community where people will take care of each other. That they may see the beauty and importance of giving and helping others. And through this project, hopefully, more people will get involved and become part in our ministry as they buy and donate to expand our reach of helping the poor and those in need,” Fr. Serna said.
- Fr. Rock Saniel, OMI and Fr. Mark Anthony Serna, OMI
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