BARRY’S BAY – Dozens of volunteers were invited to St. Francis Memorial Hospital for a tea to honour the people who make a big difference in local healthcare – themselves. That day, a tea was held to honour the volunteers at the auxiliary, St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation, the Bean coffee kiosk, Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care and more. Pastor Richard Lorenzin said he looks forward to this annual event. “Be of service, whether you make yourself available to a friend or a co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being a service to someone in need,” he said. “I think about that and it’s a pretty incredible thing to think about – what is it that motivates us or empowers us.” He referenced a scripture, which depicted Jesus performing the miracle of multiplying bread and fish for 5,000-plus followers. What isn’t well known, Lorenzin said, is that a young boy gave what little fish and bread that he had to the disciples so that Jesus could perform the miracle. “There are men and women in the bible who are heroes. And yet here we see there is just this boy. It’s this boy that is able to make the biggest difference,” Lorenzin said. He added that there are three things that people can learn from this little boy. The first is that anyone of us could make a difference. Secondly, is that anybody can make themselves available. Thirdly, it’s important to just be yourself. “All three things led to this miracle,” Lorenzin said. “Nothing that this boy did was extraordinary.” While people might feel that they have little to give, that’s when the greatest miracles can happen. “It’s not going to require to do extraordinary things,” he said. “All it’s going to require is that you be yourself.” Pick up a copy of the May 30, 2018 paper to read the full story.