“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Sister Georgette Dublino scoops pasta salad into individual portions ahead of the lunchtime meal at Light of Life Rescue Mission on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
Service with a Smile
SISTER SPRINGS INTO ACTION TO HELP PITTSBURGH’S HOMELESS
It’s 10:12 a.m. on a Monday morning when Sister Georgette Dublino emerges from San Damiano Convent with the signature pep in her step that hasn’t slowed with age. She’s energized by what lies before her on this crisp fall day — serving lunch to the homeless who seek shelter and nourishment at Pittsburgh’s Light of Life Rescue Mission.
Sister Georgette approaches her volunteer work just as she approaches each new day — with a smile.
Already decked out in her volunteer cap and T-shirt, she is all smiles when she ties on her apron, pulls on her gloves, and begins her shift in the kitchen. She’s greeted by Christine and Donna who work there and by other volunteers like herself, including another Christine and North Side native Maggie.
With an infectious smile of her own, Sister gets to work scooping pasta salad into individual servings for the day’s lunch crowd. The kitchen serves 250 to 300 people across three meals each day, providing some predictability and stability to those who face so many challenges.
Though she’s technically “retired,” Sister is anything but idle at a youthful 91 years old. Like many of our Sisters, she seeks opportunities to volunteer among God’s people, such as leading Bible study for the elderly Residents of Mt. Assisi Place personal care home each Wednesday.
But when recently reminded of the scripture passage Matthew 25:35 — “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in …” — she couldn’t sit still. “I wanted to do more,” Sister says. “There are so very many homeless and so much work to be done to make our society more inclusive. I’m delighted that I can help to make a difference for so many needy right here in Pittsburgh.”
Helping out at a ministry powered very much by volunteers, Sister spends most of her time behind the scenes, doing whatever is needed on any given day. Occasionally, she has time to venture into the dining room to meet some of the guests. She listens to their stories, learns from their challenges, and offers a kind word and her warm smile.
“A smile is a very good thing,” Sister says. “Just smile at everyone. It works in any language.”