We Have Received, Now We Give: Service at the Congress

“Do you want to show honor to Christ’s body? Do not neglect him when naked; do not neglect him perishing outside of cold and nakedness, while here you honor him with silken garments. For he that said, “This is my body,” and by his word confirmed the fact, also said, ‘I was hungry and you gave me no food’; and, ‘as you did not do it to one of the least of these you did not do it to me’ (Matt. 25:42, 45).”
-St. John Chrysostom

As one way of honoring Christ’s body at the Eucharistic Congress, we will have a few different family-friendly service projects available throughout the day, to serve “the least of these” in our communities. We encourage adults to bring their children (age 8+) to any of these projects for hands-on service while we personally receive from this focus on our Eucharistic Lord.

In the morning, we will be partnering with Kids Against Hunger to pack simple, nutritious meals for those who face food insecurity both around the world and around the corner. These meals have been specially formulated by food scientists to meet all the nutritional needs of someone who is malnourished. We plan to pack 10,000+ meals for people in extreme need. Although the partnership is with Kids Against Hunger, this service project is open to all adults who wish to serve as well.

In the afternoon, we will be assembling care kits for those experiencing homelessness in our diocese. Each kit will include basic medical and hygiene items, a bottle of water, a protein bar, and a personalized note from the person who assembled it. Each kit will be a way to not only meet their basic needs, but also to share the love of Christ with them.

Also in the afternoon, we will also be making personalized notes for homebound parishioners in the afternoon. Along with each note there will be a Eucharistic Revival prayer card. This will be a great way to remind them that they are not forgotten, that they are still a part of the body of Christ, and that they too, have a part to play in this revival of Eucharistic faith, devotion, and service in our Diocese.

When you participate in this Congress, you will have a lot of options to choose from: the great talks, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confessions, inspirational music, and the concluding Mass with a procession. We encourage you to consider participating in one of these service projects, and consider bringing one of these service projects to your own parish as part of Mercy Sundays after the Congress! More information will come in late May for those who are registered.

For more information, please contact Isaac Landsteiner at ilandsteiner@ccsomn.org .

If you haven’t registered yet, register here!