As Catholic Christians, we are disciples of Jesus Christ. As such we strive to live as he did. Jesus' life was one of service. It was not a life centered around himself and his own will; it was a life of obedience to the will of his Father. He served others to bring them into relationship with God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). As confirmed Catholics, we are called to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, imitating him.
Because of this calling, we do not "count" service hours in our Confirmation program. Instead, service flows as a natural part of our discipleship of Jesus Christ; it is a lifelong calling. We are called to serve God (worship, prayer, and acts of virtue) and to serve neighbor (church, family, and community). We don't serve for 10 hours; we serve forever.
"Finally, the People of God shares in the royal office of Christ. He exercises his kingship by drawing all men to himself through his death and Resurrection.211Christ, King and Lord of the universe, made himself the servant of all, for he came 'not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'212 For the Christian, 'to reign is to serve him,' particularly when serving 'the poor and the suffering, in whom the Church recognizes the image of her poor and suffering founder.'213 The People of God fulfills its royal dignity by a life in keeping with its vocation to serve with Christ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church - 786)
And so, as you prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are encouraged to imitate Jesus who came "not to be served, but to serve". Your service should be toward God and neighbor as you strive to lead others to Jesus Christ. You may already be engaged in service activites in our parish, but if not, it's time to become active in one of many opportunities. Click the "Fill Out Form" button above or Service Selection link below to complete the Service Selection Form for the year.
Galatians 5:13 - "For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love."
The Corporal Works of Mercy:
The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus (see Matthew 25 above) and give us a model for how we should treat all others, as if they were Christ in disguise. They "are charitable actions by which we help our neighbors in their bodily needs" (USCCA). They respond to the basic needs of humanity as we journey together through this life.
1. Feed the Hungry
2. Give Drink to the Thirsty
3. Shelter the Homeless
4. Visit the Sick
5. Visit the Prisoners
6. Bury the Dead
7. Give Alms to the Poor
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
The Spiritual Works of Mercy have long been a part of the Christian tradition, appearing in the works of theologians and spiritual writers throughout history. Just as Jesus attended to the spiritual well-being of those he ministered to, these Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us to "help our neighbor in their spiritual needs" ( USCCA).
1. Counseling the Doubtful
2. Instructing the Ignorant
3. Admonishing the Sinner
4. Comforting the Sorrowful
5. Forgiving Injuries
6. Bearing Wrongs Patiently
7. Praying for the Living and the Dead
The Judgment of the Nations (Matthew 25: 31-46)
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,
32 and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43 stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
44 Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’
45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’
46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”