“Over ten years ago, we decided that – being retired – we wanted to help out in some way. We went down to the home, at that time, of the Refugee Apostolate on lower Chandler Street. That resulted in us meeting Walter and Kathy.

We have, in this time, developed a wonderful friendship with Walter and Kathy. We are in awe of their devotion to the noble goal of ‘helping the least, the last and the left out’ for over 40 years. Walter and Kathy have an obvious and quiet belief in the power and love of God. They operate on the feeling that God will provide when the time is right. Which He always seems to do in unexpected ways!

Somewhere along the way, as a result of our long relationship with Urban Missionaries [of Our Lady of Hope], we got hooked on the mission, and through Walter and Kathy’s guidance, we have become Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope and do whatever we can to move the Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope forward. We moved out of state in 2020 and can no longer put in the on-site help, but we still try to move the mission forward. We became sustainers sometime before we moved and have continued since we moved. Even though we can no longer participate in on-site activities, we still feel that it is important for us to stay on as sustainers. This is a community that provides a multitude of services, the Little Store, food pantry, Christmas program, Thanksgiving food baskets, a housing program, ESL services and citizenship services to name a few. They truly do provide for the least, the last and the left out! We urge you to get involved as we did – volunteer (you really don’t know your talents), become a sustainer, help care for ‘the least, the last and the left out.’”

“Having volunteered with Walter, Kathy and the Little Store staff, I came to realize the amazing commitment they have to their cause. The love and caring they have for their constituents is evident in everything they do. They have created a hub of needed resources that can be a lifesaver to those in need. Also, working with the team opened my eyes and, I think, made me a better person. Finally, if you are worried that the money will be wasted, don’t be! Having used a paint brush well beyond its useful life because Walter didn’t want to be wasteful and throw it away is proof enough for me that every penny is spent wisely.”

“I forget how and when I met Deacon Walter and Kathy Doyle. In conversation, Walter told me about the Little Store that was down on Main Street in Worcester. Not too much later, I was invited to volunteer wrapping and distributing Christmas gifts in Worcester. I saw the faces of the recipients, most with eyes pooled with gratitude. While we could not give of our time the way others could, Ruth and I could give of our financial resources, knowing that the money would be used to meet a variety of needs and help people most in need – many who live close to us, providing beyond a meal to clothing housing, furniture, legal assistance, help getting work, etc. Thank you, Walter and Kathy.”