“What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (Jas 2:14-17).
Before the end of the year, Father Cyrus Rowan, teacher at Bishop Neumann Jr./Sr. High School in Wahoo, called us wondering if the eighth-graders could come to Catholic Social Services for a service project.
We were excited about the prospect, because there is always something to do to support and further our mission of loving Jesus Christ present in the poor and needy. In addition, Father Hazuka, their principal, also inquired whether the staff could come for a half day of recollection with service hours built in.
On Monday, Jan. 30, the eighth-graders came and sorted winter coats (which we hand out to those who need them) into categories and sizes so we can more easily and efficiently give them away. The day ended with Mass and lunch.
Similarly, the staff and teachers from Bishop Neumann Jr./Sr. High School and St. John Nepomucene grade school in Weston came for a half day of recollection and service project. They were separated into two groups, who alternated with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and clearing out a section of one of our buildings we wish to use to better serve the homeless (with St. Mother Teresa as our patron saint).
Confessions were offered and the day also ended with Mass. And yes, there was some delicious gelato involved from Gianna’s Java & Gelato!
I would like to thank Father Michael Morin, Father Jeremy Hazuka, Father Cyrus Rowan and the rest of the priest and lay faculty and staff as well as the eighth-graders who did such a wonderful job, all for love for Jesus! This is what we call faith in action!
