The Corporal Works of Mercy

10-16-2022Weekly ReflectionKathleen Foley, Director of Mission Advancement

What are works of mercy? Why do we have them? How do we do them? It’s a good idea to ask ourselves questions like this from time to time. We can get wrapped up in the busyness of our lives and routines, forgetting that we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. The works of mercy – corporal (bodily, worldly, tangible) and spiritual – are identified by the Church for our benefit. As the Catechism says, “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities” (#2447).

Remember that God works through people to help people, and at any given time, He may ask you to serve others. When you hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit to help others – by giving of your time, money, or goods – you are fulfilling the will of God. He is pleased when we take care of each other.

Consider the many opportunities we have at Corpus Christi to support and participate in the Corporal Works of Mercy:

Feed the Hungry and Give Drink to the Thirsty

St. Vincent de Paul is our largest ministry when it comes to “front line” opportunities to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty. We accept donations of non-perishable foods year-round for our on-site food pantry and we have a special food drive in November for families needing Thanksgiving dinner items. Every week, members of our local community come to Corpus Christi to pick up a food box to help supplement their needs at home. Whether it’s a family in need or an elderly parishioner living alone, we are able to provide food and paper goods according to their needs. Additionally, our annual summer water drive provides more and more water every year for those enduring the heat of our desert summers. Your donations of water, food, paper goods, personal hygiene items, and money allow our volunteers to serve the hungry and thirsty while sharing the love of Jesus with others.

Clothe the Naked

There are a few options we have to help with clothing for those in need. First, we have our faithful Vincentians again with the fall donation drive of coats, sweaters, and blankets. These items, which may no longer be useful for us, or they are taking up space in a closet, will be most welcomed by the homeless and poor in our community. Another ministry is Christ Child Society. These volunteers spend several hours every month cutting patterns and sewing baby clothing as well as crocheting baby bonnets and blankets for babies in need. Their efforts provide layette gift sets for mothers at local hospitals who have little to nothing for their newborn babies. Imagine the joy each of these mothers feel upon receiving such a precious hand-made gift! Christ Child has also donated one of these layettes to the parish office in case there is ever a need for the items if someone comes to us because of our designation as a Safe Baby Haven. Our Knights of Columbus also help in this area each year by providing the funds and volunteers to help more than 50 children from Frank Elementary in Guadalupe purchase new clothing and shoes at JCPenney. Your donations help these ministries bring the joy of Jesus to those in need.

Shelter the Homeless

We can certainly mention again our St. Vincent de Paul volunteers, who field calls every day from members of our community in need of assistance in paying their utilities, rent, or other short-term, immediate needs. Additionally, there are our often-unseen volunteers who take plastic bags and turn them into “plarn” and then use it to crochet mats for the homeless. While not a shelter, the mats can be used to create a barrier between the person and the ground or rolled up for a head rest.

One of our ministries allows us to shelter the homeless right here on our parish campus: Family Promise. This organization provides the daytime facilities to help homeless families with career training, job searches, transportation to jobs and school, and resources for finding housing. They enlist the assistance of area churches, social service agencies, or other organizations to provide temporary housing each evening and overnight. At Corpus Christi, this means that twice a year, for one week at a time, our classrooms become bedrooms, and our volunteers provide dinner, evening activities for the children, and space for the parents to unwind. Your donations of time, food, blankets, pillows, gift cards, and money allow us to provide a week of food, fun, and fellowship to families in need.

Visit the Sick & the Imprisoned

Several of our ministries come to mind for visiting the sick or imprisoned. First and foremost, are our priests who visit the sick and dying in their homes or at hospitals. Administering the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is a crucial part of providing peace and healing to those facing serious surgery, sickness, and even death. Our Ministry of the Sick also commissions volunteers who are trained extraordinary ministers of holy communion to visit those who are homebound or in skilled-care or assisted living facilities. By bringing a smile, the Word of God, and the Eucharist to those in need, they are bringing Jesus into their midst.

While visiting the homebound can be included in visiting the imprisoned, we want to be sure to mention the Prison Ministry provided by the Diocese of Phoenix. These priests and volunteers go to the jails and prisons to bring the Good News in the hopes that each person can find healing and forgiveness in Jesus and receive assistance and resources for reintegrating into the community following his or her release. Your prayers and time supporting these ministries ensures that those confined feel the presence of Jesus in their lives and hearts.

Bury the Dead

While burying the dead may bring to mind images of graveside services, it actually entails more than just the grave. From the funeral preparations, handled by our staff members and the funeral home, to members of our Bereavement Ministry comforting and guiding the family members at the funeral, we know that supporting those grieving the dead is at the heart of this work of mercy. Of course, our priests and deacons, sacristans and musicians complete the beauty of the funeral process – from vigil to burial. Additionally, our Funeral Receptions Ministry is focused on providing a pleasant setting and good food for the family and friends to have after the funeral – at no expense to the family. Countless family members have commented on the generosity and gracious service provided during the emotional turmoil of the death of a loved one. Your donations of food or money to these ministries makes it possible to bring the peace of Jesus to not only our parishioners, but also family and friends who don’t normally come to Corpus Christi.

Let us determine to include the Corporal Works of Mercy in our lives on a regular basis so that we might share the peace, love, and joy of Jesus with others and fulfill the will of God in our lives and theirs.

“If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food… and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?” James 2:16