July 30, 2017 - "Corporal Works of Mercy"

We regularly feature a question of the week in the bulletin.  The question for this week is this:  In a world divided by economics and education, social status and political opinions, race and religion, what can I do this week to bring people together?  An answer that I want to propose today for all of us is to be attentive to practicing the works of mercy.  Here are some suggestions for practicing them from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). 
Feed the hungry
There are many people in this world who go without food.  When so much of our food goes to waste, consider how good stewardship practices of your own food habits can benefit others who do not have those same resources.

• Having delicious food at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner?  Donate to a Thanksgiving or Christmas food drive so everyone can have something to eat.
• Research, identify, and contribute financially to organizations that serve the hungry.
• The next time that you make a recipe that can be easily frozen, make a double batch and donate one to your local food pantry or soup kitchen.
• Try not to purchase more food than you are able to eat.  If you notice that you end up throwing groceries away each week, purchasing less groceries would eliminate waste and allow you to donate the savings to those in need.

Give drink to the thirsty
Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ do not have access to clean water and suffer from the lack of this basic necessity.  We should support the efforts of those working towards greater accessibility of this essential resource.

• We take it for granted that we have access to clean water.  Donate to organizations like Catholic Relief Services to help build wells for water for those in need.
• Organize a group of children involved on a sports team (e.g. soccer) or a summer camp.  Invite them to collect bottled water to distribute at a shelter for families.  If parents can be involved, ask them to accompany their children in delivering the water to the families.
• Do the same for youth and young adult groups.
• Make an effort not to waste water.  Remembering to turn off the water faucet when you are brushing your teeth, or washing the dishes can help, especially in regions suffering from drought.

Shelter the homeless
There are many circumstances that could lead to someone becoming a person without a home.  Christ encourages us to go out and meet those without homes, affirming their worth and helping them seek a resolution to the challenges that they face.

• See if your parish or diocese is involved with a local homeless shelter and volunteer some time.
• Donate time or money to organizations that build homes for those who need shelter.
• Many homeless shelters need warm blankets for their beds.  If you can knit or sew that would be an extra loving gift.
• There are millions of children and families on the move, fleeing from war, illness, hunger and impossible living conditions, and search for peace and safety.  Engage parish groups of children, youth, young adults, and families in doing some research on the causes and challenges that these families face to survive.  Contact Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Washington for help with your research locally or Catholic Relief Services for help with your research globally.  Seek ways to provide shelter for the homeless locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally.

We’ll continue this discussion next week.  In the meantime, here is the link to the USCCB website for those who wish to explore this further:  http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/jubilee-of-mercy/the-corporal-works-of-mercy.cfm.
Until next week,
 
Fr. John Dillon