What: Visit the Sick

Why:

July 1st marks the Feast of The Precious Blood of our Redeemer. Christ poured out his blood to heal us of our sins and to give us eternal life. 

To visit the sick is one of the seven Corporal Works of Mercy, which the Catechism teaches us are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Through these small acts done with great love, we can build a Civilization of Love.

People who are sick are often forgotten or avoided. This became an all too familiar experience for so many of us during COVID lockdowns. Our faith teaches us the importance of relationships with one another especially in our times of need. 

How:

Pick your CHALLENGE:

Spiritual:

• Become familiar with the Church’s teaching on care for the sick and dying
• Familiarize yourself with the Church's teaching on the the Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist as viaticum.
• Get to know some of our many Saints who are patrons of various ailments and illnesses and ministered to the sick.
  • St. Teresa of Avila - patron saint against headaches, against sickness
  • St. Rita - patron saint of the ill/wounded and lost/impossible causes
  • St. Raphael the Archangel - patron of nurses and doctors
  • St. Peregrine - patron of those with cancer
  • St. Catherine of Siena - ministered to the ill in hospitals particularly those with leprosy and advanced cancer
  • St.(Mother) Teresa of Calcutta - founded the Missionaries of Charity who serve the poorest of the poor including nursing the sick and dying
• Have a Mass said for a friend or loved one who is sick.

Communal:

Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

• Give blood
• Spend time volunteering at a nursing home – Get creative and make use of your talents (e.g. sing, read, paint, call Bingo, etc.)!
• Take time on a Saturday to stop and visit with an elderly neighbor.
• Offer to assist caregivers of chronically sick family members on a one-time or periodic basis. Give caregivers time off from their caregiving responsibilities so they can rest, complete personal chores, or enjoy a relaxing break.
• Next time you make a meal that can be easily frozen, make a double batch and give it to a family in your parish who has a sick loved one.
• If you cannot visit in person, call the person over the phone or via video to check-in
• Send a get well soon card
• Have a meal delivered or provide the person who is sick with gift certificates for a favorite restaurant
• Start a fundraiser to help someone cover unexpected medical costs
• Allocate part of your tithe to a parish fund for the sick or toward your local hospital's charity care fund
• Complete a healthcare directive for yourself and your loved ones

Set your GOAL: 

You can choose one of the suggestions above, or come up with your own. Then, depending on your challenge, you will want to set yourself a practical goal - whether it be material, financial, or spiritual.  Some examples include:

• Get 50 people at your parish to signup for a blood drive
• Get 2 other friends to join you in volunteering once this month at your local nursing home
• Volunteer to give a caregiver a break 4 times throughout the month
• Create 100 unique get-well cards with your fellow parishioners and send them to your local hospital
• Budget to provide 5 meal deliveries for someone who is sick
• Complete your healthcare directive and get your spouse, kids, and parents to complete theirs too.

Determine your AUDIENCE:

Who do you want to join you in your monthly challenge? 

• Just yourself! 
• Your family and friends
• Your parish
• Your social media friends
• Or whomever you want! 

GO!

Once you know what you are going to do, click "Share" to tell us your idea! We encourage you to upload a picture of how you're building a civilization of love to help inspire others to take action too!