Corporal Works Of Mercy: How We Serve Others

We often hear the words “love one another.” Through our ministries here at St. Vincent de Paul, we have the opportunity to live those words. Matthew 25:31-46 helps guide our stewardship way of life. We take to heart, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). The Catholic Church defines the actions listed in these verses of Matthew as the Corporal Works of Mercy — feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead.

From the beginning, our parish life has been infused with grace from living a life in service to each other, the community, and global needs. Many ministries focus on the Corporal Works of Mercy and other ministries incorporate them into activities throughout the year. Let us look at the Corporal Works of Mercy to see how we as a parish family serve others.

To feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty

The Food Cart Ministry collects food for Arlington Charities and Mission Arlington. Support Thy Neighbor Sunday that started this October collects items for multiple non-profit agencies in the Arlington area. The Men’s Club cooks meals for Arlington Life Shelter. Women’s Guild serves Meals on Wheels. Noreen’s Nourishment provides meals to the families in the cancer ward at Cook Children’s Hospital. The Bereavement Ministry serves meals after funerals. At our Second Sunday we gather to share a meal and fellowship after Mass. Thanksgiving Service at Mission Arlington is where we help prepare the meals for Thanksgiving Day.

To help clothe the naked

Hearts and Hands Ministry collects clothes and household items. Catholic Charities and many of the special collections at Mass go towards helping those in need.

To shelter the homeless

Our Parish Outreach department, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Catholic Charities directly shelter those in need. As a parish, we support this through our donations in the alms boxes, alms on Faith Direct, and committed budget funds. Parishioners also provide direct support to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities through monthly envelopes or Faith Direct. The Men’s Club, Women’s Guild and Golf Ministry often raise additional funds to give to the Society of SVdP.

Visiting the sick

The Hospital and Homebound Ministry bring Christ to the sick by bringing them Holy Communion. The Good Samaritans assist at the Open Arms Clinic to help those who are sick. Grace Ministry writes notes of comfort and prayers. The Prayer Shawl Ministry delivers shawls made by the members to provide a physical “hug” of support. Stephen Ministers walk people through physical and mental challenges in their lives by providing a shoulder to lean on and a listening ear. The Bear Ministry brings comfort to those who are at Cook Children’s Medical Center by sharing plush teddy bears. Although they may not physically visit the sick, the Prayer Chain is praying for all those who are sick and their families.

Visiting the imprisoned

Our Prison Ministry responds to Jesus’ call to visit the imprisoned by visiting and mentoring to the women at the federal prison at Carswell and the men at the Arlington city jail.

Burying the dead

Our Bereavement Ministry, the Music Ministry, Grace Ministry, Stephen Ministry, Prayer Chain, and the Grief Support Ministry all lend their support and love when they serve the families who are saying farewell to their family members and helping them learn how to live with their loss.

Through the ministries in our parish, we are able to truly say and show that we believe that everyone is made in the image of Christ. Each time we serve others, we are living out our call to love one another and living out a stewardship way of life through the Corporal Works of Mercy.