A WILLINGNESS to get down into the trenches is the key to helping people through the Christmas period, Christmas Helpline founder Fr Michael Gatt has told The Record.
Now in its 19th year, Fr Gatt and his team of volunteers will again open their ears and hearts to callers from 19 December till the end of the month.
“When you are speaking to people with emotion and empathy you are able to reach them much better. You would have to be a man of iron not to feel for people,” Fr Gatt said.
“As in previous years, people need to know there is always someone to turn to in a time of difficulty, crisis or despair.”
Loneliness, depression and financial pressures make up the bulk of challenges faced by callers, Fr Gatt said, with the festivity of the Christmas period only adding to many people’s emotional and financial woes.
Paradoxically, Fr Gatt said, as a priest, it is his favourite time of year.
“I would love to be doing this all the time. It’s good to be there for people. They’re sent by God and we are people in between who can help.”
Over the years, Fr Gatt and his volunteers have made lifelong friendships with callers, often making follow-up visits or delivering emergency food parcels to people’s houses.
Fr Gatt said that readers of The Record have, and continue, to play an important role in letting people-in-need know about the phone line. “Even if you don’t need to call the line yourself, maybe your neighbour or someone in your family does.”
The Christmas Helpline will be open from 19 December – 31 December on 9444 1334 and 9444 8650.