Live Stream option available on this page on the evening of the lecture, for those unable to attend in person.
About the Lecture
However tiny it may seem, Fr. Toby believes the presence of God is in each and every one of us. To discover it one must be willing to encounter the poor, less fortunate, oppressed, marginalized, and suffering. After reacting to the tragic stories, unpleasant smells, graphic visuals, interesting sounds, and unpredictable behaviors of the homeless population in downtown Kitchener Fr. Toby can now speak about being much richer for it. Even inspired by it! He wants others to have the opportunity to be rich in this way and will attempt to demonstrate how this can happen if we all work together to break down walls that keep us from encountering people we would rather not engage. A desire to change and the action that follows could not only make us rich in new ways but help us discover a lasting experience of joy that may never go away.
The Tiny Home Takeout and the tiny homes at A Better Tent City will be looked at specifically as modern vehicles for rediscovering the tiny presence of love in the other. Fr. Toby will unpack the effects of these programs on those experiencing poverty and isolation without neglecting to spend time on the accidental transformation experienced by volunteers and employees alike. On a roller-coaster of stories that might shake loose some of our reluctance to encounter the less fortunate, Fr. Toby hopes "we might also get more in touch with our humanity as our vulnerabilities, tears, screams, laugher, and desire for more thrills emerge. After all this is God’s love at work, always looking for new ways to bring us all to life."
Hang on tight! It’s going to be a fun ride!
Special Guest: Marion Thomson Howell will be joining Fr. Toby to present information about A Better Tent City. Thomson Howell is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees for St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener and the founding director for A Better Tent City, Waterloo Region.
Fr. Toby Collins, CR
Fr. Toby Collins, CR grew up in a family of seven children and has lived most of his life in Kitchener, ON with time spent in Hamilton, St. Catharines, St. Louis, Chicago, and Bermuda. In his mid-20's, while landscaping at St. Louis Church in Waterloo he met a religious community of Catholic Priests and Brothers called Resurrectionists . He admired how they lived a life in community and constantly brought hope to people in despair. He began to discern a life-long commitment to becoming a member of the Resurrectionist community. Twenty years later he continues to be transformed by the reality of Jesus' resurrection and the love of family, friends, and the brothers living in his community. Fr. Toby is currently the pastor of St. Mary's Church in downtown Kitchener and a Board member for A Better Tent City. He has a passion for building Tiny Homes for the homeless and working with anyone who dares to risk seeing the less fortunate as their friends.
Please use the following ticket link to register your in person attendance at this lecture and to support planning for this event.