Corporal Works of Mercy
Feed the Hungry

• Donate or serve a meal program for the homeless or poor.
• Organize a food drive or assist at your local food pantry.
• Drive for Meals on Wheels.
• Fast from meat every Friday all year and an extra day in Lent as an act of solidarity with people around the world who go hungry.
• Donate to Operation Rice Bowl or local food banks.
• Keep nonperishable food in your car for people you see living on the streets.
• Offer to sponsor food for a youth group night or confirmation class at your parish —  teenagers are always “the hungry.”

 
Give Drink to the Thirsty

• Examine your monthly water bill and how you might cut back. Share the money saved with Catholic Relief Services to help fund its water projects.
• Donate bottled water, juice, or money to a food pantry.
• Keep water in your car and give it to people on the street.
• Sponsor a cooler of cokes and waters for youth group nights at your parish.

 
Clothe the Naked

• Donate gently used clothing to people in need.
• Contact shelters for a list of articles needed by their clients and organize a donation drive.
• Donate new or gently used baby clothing to pregnancy centers.
• Cassata Catholic High School: Donate to help a student purchase uniforms; they also have a closet for students when they get internships and a closet for baby items for their students who are parents.

 
Shelter the Homeless

• Volunteer at local shelters. They often need help with meals and cleaning, painting, and organizing closets.
• Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
• Volunteer for Cowtown Brush-up, a program to paint houses for families who need this service.

 
Comfort the Sick

• Check with the church office for parishioners who have needs, like rides to doctor visits and odd jobs around their house.
• Volunteer at a local hospital or hospice facility in your area.
• Visit nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Call ahead and talk to the activities director, maybe you can sponsor bingo on a Saturday.

 
Visit the Imprisoned

• Be a companion or mentor to a family of someone incarcerated.
• Be an advocate for prison reform.
• Visit the lonely in your parish.
• Visit nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Many people have no one to talk to and just want companionship.

 
Bury the Dead

• Be faithful about attending wakes and funerals of family and friends.
• And even for people you don’t know, most parishes publicize the funerals that they have. Just go and pray for the deceased and the family.
• Pray for all who have died in Christ's peace, especially those who have no one to pray for them.
• Join a bereavement ministry at your parish.
• Supply a dish of food for a family who has lost a loved one.
• Examine your life to see what old grudges you have refused to relinquish and choose to bury them by reconciling with others.

 

Spiritual Works of Mercy
Instruct the Ignorant

• Volunteer as a religious education aide or teacher in your parish.
• Attend classes for R.C.I.A.
• Be a sponsor for R.C.I.A.
• Attend or hold a Bible study group.
• If you are a godparent or sponsor, meet with these people and talk about faith; maybe go to Mass with them and then out to eat and talk about the readings and homily.

 
Counsel the Doubtful

• Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for them.
• Read Forming Intentional Disciples and learn about the stages of conversion and use this information to journey with people who are seeking to convert.
• Accompany a friend who is not a churchgoer.
• Invite someone to attend Mass with you.

 
Admonish Sinners

• Make a thoughtful and heartfelt confession (sometimes we are the ones that need to be admonished).
• Take your children to confession on a regular basis.
• Don’t be shy about telling others you go to confession. Invite them to join you.

 
Bear Wrongs Patiently

• Be a good listener.
• Be an advocate for Social Justice issues such as the "March For Life."
• Study Catholic Social Teaching to be better informed as to how the Gospel can impact the society we live in.
• Pray while reading the news.
• Remain silent instead of arguing just to argue. This is especially useful on social media.

 
Forgive Offenses Willingly

• Pray for the person who has offended you, asking God's help in showing mercy to others. Sometimes it takes a while — be patient and persistent in this prayer.
• Say you are sorry with meaning when you are wrong.
• Participate in the sacrament of Penance.
• Pray the "Our Father," asking God for patience.
• Watch Fr. Mike Schmitz speak on forgiveness in his YouTube video.

 
Comfort the Afflicted

• Volunteer at a hospice or hospital.
• Become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and take Holy Communion to the sick.
• Make a home-cooked meal for a friend who is facing a difficult time.
• Send a message and/or card to someone who is suffering.

 
Pray for the Living and the Dead

• Request a Mass intention for a friend or family member who has lost a loved one.
• Reach out to people who have lost loved ones 3, 6, or 12 months after the passing, especially during the holidays. 
  • A simple text saying “I’m remembering you at Mass today” is a simple and meaningful way to let them know they are not alone, and their grief is not forgotten.
• Pray for all who have died in Christ's peace, especially those who have no one to pray for them.
• Make a prayer list of all the people who need prayer.
• Rosary prayer list: For each bead, assign a name or a cause. Before you pray the prayer for that bead, pray for that intention.