Marian Helper Winter 2015-2016

22 M arian H elper • W inter 2015-16 •  marian.org A s the Church prepares to celebrate the extraordi- nar y Jubilee Year of Mercy, which begins on Dec. 8, we here at Marian Helper magazine are turning our attention to Pope Francis’ call urging Catholics to com- mit ourselves to th e corporal a nd spiritual works of mercy. “It will be a way to reawaken our conscience, too often grown dull in the face of poverty,” Pope Francis said. “ Jesus introduces us to these works of mercy in his preaching so that we can know whether or not we are living as his disciples.” With that, Marian Helper is looking to highlight out- standing examples of works of mercy, which we will feature in upcoming issues. Do you know someone who has been merciful to you? Have you witnessed inspiring works of mercy? Father Joseph, MIC, and his staff encourage you to share your stories with us as we challenge each other to live Divine Mercy as the Lord himself demands. As you do, see the fac- ing page for details about our “Works of Mercy” Contest. Here are a few examples of people who live the faith: S haron, Susan, and Suzanne wanted to do something nice for people in need. Baking birthday cakes for the ill and elderly c ame to mind. But their work of mercy is not all about cakes. It’s about loving God and neighbor. So, behind each cake is a prayer — a Chaplet of Divine Mercy — said for each cake recipient. Each month a local hospice gives the Pennsylvania women the names of patients who will celebrate a birthday. The “cake ladies” take the list, pray the chaplet for each patient, and the n bake each a cake. “We have people who are close to death, and we have this unique opportunity t o pray for them at that special time w hen maybe no one else knows how to pray, or maybe no one else is there for them,” Sharon tells us. Though cakes may merely be the icing on top of this work of mercy, they can be a great comfort. “The last birthday of a person’s life should not only not be for- gotten,” says Sharon, “but it should also be an expression of the same love that was shared on his or her very first birthday.” m n S am, Jason, and Sam, three Connecticut high school stu- dents, recently ran a fundraiser to purchase bicycles for homeless and formerly homeless people who need transpor- tation to jobs and appointments. They were able to purchase nearly 140 bikes. Their idea came about after they learned that a lack of transportation was one of the biggest impediments that home- less and formerly homeless people in their community face. m n M ark, a Kansas police officer, was dispatched to a local Wal-Mart earlier this year after a woman was caught shoplifting. Instead of arresting the woman, he engaged in a conversation with her. Turns out she is the mother of six, and they were living out of their car. She had been caught trying to steal baby wipes, shoes, and diapers. Moved by the woman’s story, Mark went and purchased the stolen merchandise for the family. Mark spent $300 of his own money. m n Each and every day, our Heavenly Father calls us into a deeper relationship with himself. Just like Sharon, Susan, Suzanne, Sam, Jason, Sam, and Mark, we are given opportunities to be merciful through our deeds, words, and prayers. During the Jubilee Year of Mercy, may St. Faustina’s words in her Diary truly be our own daily prayer: “Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one” (163). Share the story of someone you know who lives Divine Mercy Jesus said, “I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me.” — Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska , 7 42 D eeds , W ords , P rayers MH