These are words that I heard this past week that I keep thinking about:

I just don’t have faith right now. (Said by a person in crisis.)

Women, children, and men who become homeless loose their human dignity. They are looked down upon and feel that deeply. (Said by a Many Mansions representative.)

Two children under five were taken from their extremely abusive homes with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, clinging to the officers with desperation. (Said by an officer telling me that they were so glad we are supporting My Stuff Bags through our Missions of Mercy.)

I don’t think we really understand the incredible power we have – each of us.

Through a look, an expression, through words, or actions we can profoundly affect someone in a life-giving way or in a destructive way.

This past Friday afternoon many people drove through our parking lot, stopping to drop off donations for several non-profit organizations Saint Peter Claver Missions of Mercy is supporting. Right now the Faith Formation Office back room is filled with the items!

Saturday volunteers for our Missions of Mercy workday worked so hard from early in the morning to about 3 in the afternoon.

They made 50 no-sew blankets for My Stuff Bag, who provides a duffle bag with toiletries, a stuffed animal, and a blanket to children who are removed from their homes with nothing.

They made 100 notes for the elderly residents of Simi Valley Care Center.

They put together 50 packets of blank cards and a pen for elderly who can’t get out so they can send cards to loved ones.

They made 50 notes for women and men in the military to go to For The Troops.

They made 50 notes for incarcerated people to go to a Detention Ministry.

The put together 7 supply bins for 7 summer camps for children who have been homeless to go to Many Mansions.

They pulled the weeds and cleaned up our Preschool & Kindergarten Garden for the children.

They did prep work on a path from our Youth Center to a firepit for our youth.

They cleaned our outdoor Stations of the Cross on the West Lawn for you.

I am blown away by the power I saw at our Missions of Mercy of volunteers joyfully working to make a difference!

This coming Sunday we celebrate The Holy Trinity.

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come. Revelation 1:8

This verse is what will be sung during the Alleluia before the Gospel reading. This is what my heart is singing and I’m smiling as I think about all the volunteers donating items and volunteering which will profoundly affect so many!

Blessing of the Holy Trinity to you!