Practicing Stewardship From The Heart With The Meal Train Ministry

Recently, Meghan Grayless was reminded that true stewardship begins at home — that is, where the heart is.

“My children and I were preparing a meal for someone,” says Meghan Grayless, who coordinates the Meal Train Ministry at our parish. “I had baked an extra cake, and I explained to them that we were going to bring it to our new neighbors to welcome them. I talked to them about how it would feel to be brand new in a place, and how we should reach out to people in this position.”

Doing the Meal Train Ministry along with her children has helped her live out her motherhood in a meaningful way.

“Serving in this ministry together shows my children how they can embrace a Christian way of living,” she says. “We believe that when we see that others in our parish community have needs, our family should respond to them, and support them.”

Meghan has also found that it is an ideal, family-friendly way to live out the stewardship vision from the home front.

“I appreciate being able to do the Meal Train Ministry because I have four young children at home and it is hard for me to serve the parish in other ways,” she says. “It gives people a way to serve regardless of their state in life.”

The Meal Train Ministry exists to support families or individuals that are experiencing sickness or death in the family, or the birth of a new baby. Ministry members bring them meals as needed.

Meghan stepped into leadership for this ministry with the 2020 stewardship renewal and has been very pleased with the response she has received, as several have signed up to help already. She has also enjoyed sharing the deeper significance behind the ministry with others who are interested.

“I have been explaining to people that this is a very personal, concrete way to fulfill a corporal work of mercy, which is what that the Gospels tell us to do,” she says. “For years, I have been setting up meal trains for people here and there, but never in an organized way. I am really excited for it to be done on a more regular, official basis!”

Remembering how blessed she has been in her own life continually inspires Meghan to give her time and talent to the Meal Train Ministry.

“I have been the recipient of meals many times,” she says. “I have experienced what a wonderful blessing it is when people bring you a meal after you have had a baby. It is a small thing but it can make a big difference in someone’s day.”

If you would like more information on how to help out with this beautiful work of mercy, or to have a meal train organized for you or someone you know, please contact Meghan Grayless at 918-407-6792 or email her at meghan.grayless@gmail.com.

Mary-Claire (7) and Elizabeth (5) Grayless help load the family van for a meal delivery.