Community Service Form - St. Catherine of Sweden Church

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN SERVICE
From Judaic times the spirit of giving was modeled after the inspiration of the Servant of Yahweh. Love and care were shown
to the needy, the poor, and the defenseless. In the giving of self in service, one served God and experienced one’s fullest
potential.
Some characteristics of this spirit of giving were:
Disinterestedness – service was not done as an investment
Hospitality – time was taken to be really present
Mutuality – dialogue was allowed and expected
Non-violence – serving was not imposed, but was enabling
Christians are called to live by the Scriptures. Jesus called us to live the great commandment. “You must love your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…you must love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40).
This means that:
We must love God deeply.
Our love must be interpersonal, extending/connecting to our neighbors, families, and friends.
Our love must be personal. We must love ourselves to love others.
Our love must be social. We must love not only our “near neighbors” who have names and faces, but also our sisters and
brothers who are “distant neighbors.”
The Corporal Works of Mercy/Matthew 25 Projects (flowing from the Gospel, especially Matthew 25:31-46) are to feed the
hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick, bury the dead, and welcome the
stranger (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2447).
Through Scripture, Church teachings, and our own conscience it is clear that every follower of Jesus Christ must embrace the
world and share in the work of love through justice and service.
We imitate Jesus who said, “I am in your midst as one who serves you” (Luke 22:27).
We obey Jesus who, having washed His disciples’ feet, said, “As I have done, so must you do” (John 13:15).
We actually encounter Jesus who identified Himself with those in need: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was
thirsty…a stranger…naked…ill…in prison” (Matthew 25:3-46).
Step (Direct Service): Jesus always directly responded to those who approached Him. He would
reach out to those in need, attending to their concern, their illness, and their fears.
Step (Social Change): Jesus also sought to bring about change in the current situation, a
transformation of “what was” toward “what should be.”
“Our faith calls us to work for justice; to serve those in need; to pursue peace; and to defend the life, dignity, and rights of all
our sisters and brothers. This is the call of Jesus, the urging of His Spirit, the challenge of the prophets, and the living
tradition of our Church” (RTV, 37).
EXAMPLES OF APPROPRIATE SERVICE PROJECTS (SELFLESS – CONCERNED WITH OTHERS RATHER THAN
ONESELF): Parish Clean Up Day, Parish Fish Fry, Classroom Aides, VBS Volunteers, Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Ministry, Drive-by-Raking, The Pittsburgh Project, Matthew 25 Projects, Visiting Shut-ins, Lovewalk for the Poor, etc.
EXAMPLES OF NICE, BUT INAPPROPRIATE SERVICE PROJECTS (SELFISH – CONCERNED ONLY OR PRIMARILY
WITH ONESELF WITHOUT REGARD FOR OTHERS): Doing your Chores, Doing your Homework, Walking your Dog,
Doing your Dishes, Cutting your Grass, etc.
Form E (Gray) - Community Service