Reflecting on the Corporal Works of Mercy
Feed the Hungry
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor (Proverbs 22:9).
And one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what
good is that? (James 2:16)
Reflection: To share food is grounded in the belief that we live in an abundant world where there is enough to go around. The
miracle of the loaves and fishes after all might just be that the crowd assemble shared what they had with each other – and all
needs were met. How can we live with trust in an abundant harvest, share what we have while also receiving what we need?
 Eat in silence, being truly present to and mindful of the gift before you.
 Make and deliver food to a neighbor or host a community potluck for your block.
 Volunteer in your children’s school cafeteria.
 Fast from meat every Friday as an act of solidarity with people around the world who go hungry.
 Donate, serve or eat at a meal program. (St. Ben’s Community Meal, Open Door Café, St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program)
 Organize a food drive for your local food pantry (find pantries here).
 Educate yourself on policies that affect food security for the economically poor in our country and around the world and
encourage political leaders to act in the interest of the poorest among us. (Catholic Relief Services Action Center, Catholic
Charities Advocacy and Policy,Hunger Task Force Action Center)
 Educate yourself on climate change and how it affects hunger issues and food security. Take action to stop Climate
Change via Catholic Climate Covenant.
Give Drink to the Thirsty
I will pour out water upon the thirsty ground, streams upon the dry land; I will pour out my spirit upon your offspring, my
blessing upon your descendants. Isaiah 44:3
Reflection: There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions, and it is wonderful how education can
bring about real changes in lifestyle. Education in environmental responsibility can encourage ways of acting which directly
and significantly affect the world around us, such as avoiding the use of plastic and paper, reducing water consumption,
separating refuse, cooking only what can reasonably be consumed, showing care for other living beings, using public transport
or car-pooling, planting trees, turning off unnecessary lights, or any number of other practices. All of these reflect a generous
and worthy creativity which brings out the best in human beings. Reusing something instead of immediately discarding it, when
done for the right reasons, can be an act of love which expresses our own dignity. Pope Francis Laudato Si para 211.
 Reduce your water consumption.
 Visit your local water provider.
 Read “Drop by Drop” to your elementary age child or grandchildren.
 Read and reflect on Pope Francis' comments on potable water in his recent encyclical Laudato Si.
 Examine your monthly water bill. Ask yourself how you might cut back on consumption. Share the money that you save
with CRS to help fund its water projects.
 Examine how much you spend each month on bottled water. Make a conscious effort to reduce this expanse. Share the
money you saved with CRS to help it fund its water projects.
Catholic Relief Services
Environmental Protection Agency
Conserving Water
http://www.crs.org/our-work-overseas/programareas/water-and-sanitation
http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ConserveWater.htm
Global Partners Running Waters, Inc
Water With Blessings
http://www.globalpartnersrunningwaters.org/
http://www.waterwithblessings.org
Clothe the Naked
“Solidarity presumes the creation of a new mindset which thinks in terms of community and the priority of the life of all over the
appropriation of goods by a few.” (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, #188)
Reflection: Works of Mercy usually begin as acts of charity. Today it is essential that they become acts of justice to effect
changes in structures that support poverty.
 Donate gently used clothing to people in need.
 Initiate a parish response to provide clothing to persons who are victims of fires and other catastrophes.
 Encourage a student response to Catholic Charities program of “Kids Kicking Poverty” in providing backpacks etc. to
refugee children.
 Purchase clothing from Fair Trade stores.
 Join efforts to support stores in buying products from companies that pay workers just wages.
 Contact shelters for a list of articles needed by persons who have taken refuge there.
 Donate new or gently used baby clothes to organizations that assist pregnant women.
 Volunteer to assist older or disabled adults to shop for their clothing.
 Become advocates for products that are not made in “sweat shops,” companies that disrespect the rights of the workers in
order to make a larger profit.
 Develop the practice of giving away one gently used article of clothing each time a new one is purchased.
Catholic Charities
Society of St. Vincent De Paul
“Kids Kicking Poverty,” In-Home Support program for
120 parish conferences coordinated by 9 District Councils
older or disabled adults, Child Welfare Program to assist
Sojourner Family Peace Center
women expecting children. ccmke.org or 414-769-3401
414-933-2722
Four Corners of the World Eco-Friendly and Fair Trade
Catholic Social Justice Ministry & Dignity of the
5401 W. Vliet, Milwaukee WI 53208
Human Person
www.fairtrademilwaukee.org
House of Peace; 414-933-1300
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
www.houseofpeacemilwaukee.org
shelledyr@archmil.org
Shelter the Homeless
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go
free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the
dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your
rear guard.” Isaiah 58:6-8
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Luke 9:58
Reflection: For some, to be homeless is to be deprived of a secure and acceptable dwelling, to lack the basic human rights of
shelter and safety. For others, to be homeless is to live without meaningful connections – to self, to family, to community, to
God. How can we both ensure that all have a safe place to sleep and live as well as to make meaningful connections to people
who live in any kind of isolation?
 Provide hospitality to visitors spending time at a warming room, shelter or Catholic Worker House by building relationships
with the residents through art, games or conversation. (Casa Maria Catholic Worker, Guest House of Milwaukee, Hope
House of Milwaukee, Cathedral Center)
 Educate yourself on climate change refugees and work toward a smaller carbon footprint as your commitment to lessening
the impact of climate change on poor nations.
 Organize a drive of needed supplies for a shelter or warming room during winter time (Repairers of the Breach).
 Support the New Sanctuary movement, which provides support to families facing deportation.
 Lend tools and time to neighbors who need housing repairs.
 Learn about the work of Habitat for Humanity or Dominican Center for Women and find ways to support or engage in their
work providing housing rehabilitation.
Visit the Sick
Luke 10: 33-34. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the
victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn
and cared for him.
Reflection: Catechism 1509 "Heal the sick!"(2 Cor. 12:9; Col 1:24) The Church has received this charge from the Lord and
strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick as well as by accompanying them with her prayer of intercession. She believes
in the life-giving presence of Christ, the physician of souls and bodies. This presence is particularly active through the
sacraments, and in an altogether special way through the Eucharist, the bread that gives eternal life and that St. Paul suggests
is connected with bodily health. (Mt 10:8)
 Research the theology and development of the Catholic sacrament "anointing of the sick."
 Invite a hospice chaplain to address your group.
 Plan a household activity in which each member can be involved in outreach to a sick person in need of attention.
 Volunteer at a local hospital or skilled nursing facility (Catholic facilities listed below).
Hospitals
 Columbia St. Mary's Hospital, Milwaukee
 The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, Milwaukee
 Columbia St. Mary's, Women's Hospital, Milwaukee
 Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph, Milwaukee
 Columbia St. Mary's, Ozaukee Campus, Mequon
 Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints, Racine
 HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital, Sheboygan
 Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Franklin, Franklin
 Ripon Medical Center, Ripon
 Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Elmbrook Memorial,
 Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Institute, Milwaukee
Brookfield
 St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac
 Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Francis,
 St. Catherine's Hospital, Inc., Pleasant Prairie
Milwaukee
Skilled Nursing Facilities
 Alexian Village of Milwaukee, Inc., Milwaukee
 Milwaukee Catholic Home, Inc., Milwaukee
 Clement Manor Health Center, Greenfield
 St. Anne's Salvatorian Campus, Milwaukee
 Clement Manor Inc., Greenfield
 St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac
 Franciscan Villa, South Milwaukee
 The Terrace at St. Francis, Milwaukee
 Franciscan Woods, Brookfield
Visit the Imprisoned
“I was in prison and you visited me” Matthew 25:36.
Reflection: To view those imprisoned as a throwaway society is to forget the fact that we are all members of Christ, whether
we are locked up or free. Inmates should not be forgotten or regarded as beyond hope. If we call ourselves disciples of Jesus
we are asked to look at ways to be the presence of Jesus to them.
 How does one live this corporal work of mercy today?
 Become a volunteer for visiting someone incarcerated.
 Corresponding with someone that is incarcerated.
 Mentor someone coming out of incarceration.
 Assist those coming out of Jail / Prison to find housing and employment.
 Be a companion for families of someone incarcerated.
 Become a partner in Restorative Justice Programs.
 Be an Advocate for Prison Reform (from Capital Punishment to Sentencing of lesser crimes).
 Sponsor speakers on Criminal Justice Reform.
 Financial support for materials to inmates such as bibles and spiritual reading materials.
 Be a spiritual support system for those incarcerated and their families.
Dismas Ministry Milwaukee
St Vincent Waukesha County
http://www.dismasministry.org/
http://stvincentwaukeshacounty.org/
Project Return of Milwaukee
http://projectreturnmilwaukee.org/
Transforming Lives Behind Bars Here and Around the
World” Sheboygan County
http://local.goodnewsjail.org/sheboygan/
Prison Fellowship
http://www.prisonfellowship.org/
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist – Milwaukee (Doing Time Together Support Group for Families)
http://www.stjohncathedral.org/
Archdiocese of Milwaukee Prison Ministry - Offers
Service in Spanish for Families of the incarcerated
414-769-3398
St. Benedict the Moor Parish - Milwaukee
http://www.stbensparishmilwaukee.org/
Holy Family Parish - Fond Du Lac
http://www.hffdl.org/
Racine County Jail Chaplaincy
http://www.racinecounty.com/chaplain/
Prison Aftercare Network of Wisconsin (PAN)
www.prisonaftercare.net/
Circles of Support, Goodwill Industries
www.circles-of-support.org/
Restorative Justice Programs
-http://doc.wi.gov/victim-resources/restorative-justice
http://www.wiscs.org/programs/court_community_services
/justice_center/
-http://interfaithconference.org/cms-viewpage.php?page=restorative-practices-coalition
Contact your local County Jail or State Prisons systems, Chaplains office, for opportunities to become involved in
Religious Bible Study
Bury the Dead
Burying the dead is the only one of the Corporal Works of mercy not named in the parable of the sheep and the goats – "When
I was hungry you gave me food. . . .” It comes from the book of Tobit: “If I saw any of my nation dead, or cast around the walls
of Nineveh, I buried him” (Tobit 1:17). “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is
your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:36–55).
Reflection: The Corporal Work of Mercy, Bury the Dead, calls us to treat the dead “with respect and charity, in faith and hope
of the Resurrection” (Catechism of the Catholic Church). We are called to mourn and pray for the dead, to entrust them to God
and to comfort their loved ones.
How do we live this corporal work of mercy today?
 As a family, research where your deceased family members are buried and take a family trip to visit their gravesites and
pray for them.
 Be faithful about attending wakes / visitations and funerals of family and friends.
 Form or join a bereavement committee at your parish. (Print and media resources are available from the archdiocesan
Nazareth Project.)
 Refer a grieving family member or friend to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Common Ground of Grief monthly
presentations.
 Support or volunteer at a hospice.
 Research and support ministries that offer free Christian burials to those unable to afford one.
 Supply a dish for a funeral luncheon.
 Examine your life to see what old grudges or injuries you have refused to relinquish and choose to “bury” them by setting
them aside and reconciling with others.
 Volunteer to take notes for a school mate who needs to be absent for the funeral of a loved one.
This corporal work of mercy is directly related to the spiritual work of mercy – to pray for the living and the dead.
Reflecting on the Spiritual Works of Mercy
Instruct the Ignorant
Scripture Reflection: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation." (Mk. 16:1)
Invitation to Prayer: Lord, give me the strength and the zeal to explain the faith to those who are confused, don’t fully
understand, or have misconceptions. Give me the words to share your truth with great love.
For Personal Reflection: Who has God placed in my life who needs to know more about Jesus and the Catholic faith?
Counsel the Doubtful
Scripture Reflection: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you...Let not your hearts be troubled..." (Jn. 14:27)
Invitation to Prayer: Lord, give me your wisdom so that I can speak words of comfort and courage to those in doubt and
despair. Let me be your instrument of love, encouragement, strength, and hope.
For Personal Reflection: When have I experienced doubt in God’s presence and power, and how did those experiences lead
me into deeper faith and trust?
Admonish Sinners
Scripture Reflection: "...there will be more joy in Heaven at the repentance of one sinner than at ninety-nine of the righteous
who had no need of repentance." (Lk. 15:7)
Invitation to Prayer: Lord, you teach that for us to follow you, we must carry our cross. When I see sin happening around me,
help me to walk the hard road of loving the sinner while urging the person to turn away from sin.
For Personal Reflection: What are the sins happening around me? How can I lovingly encourage the people to turn toward
the ways of God?
Bear Wrongs Patiently
Scripture Reflection: "...Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you." (Lk. 6:27-28)
Invitation to Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to persevere in joy and hope even when I am not treated fairly. Teach me
how to imitate you in your patient endurance.
For Personal Reflection: When I am treated wrongly, how can I “turn the other cheek” as Jesus calls us to?
Forgive Offenses Willingly
Scripture Reflection: "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Mt. 6:12)
Invitation to Prayer: Lord, forgive in me what I have felt unable to forgive. Please bless those who have hurt me and help me
to treat them according to the dignity you gave them rather than as their actions may deserve.
For Personal Reflection: Who have I harbored anger and resentment toward? How does God see them?
Comfort the Afflicted
Scripture Reflection: "Come to me, all you grown weary and burdened, and I will refresh you." (Mt. 11:28)
Invitation to Prayer: Lord, help me to be aware of those in my life who are struggling with pain or sorrow and who are in need
of comfort. Help me to reach out to them with your compassion.
For Personal Reflection: Who are the people in my life who are suffering? What might I say or do to bring them comfort?
Pray for the Living and the Dead
Scripture Reflection: "Father, I desire that they, too, may be with me where I am..." (Jn. 17:24)
Invitation to Prayer: Lord, as our common Creator and Savior, you bind us together as a family of sisters and brothers. Open
my heart to pray for the needs and longings of your children wherever they may be.
For Personal Reflection: Who has asked me to pray for them? Who of the living or the dead most needs my prayers?