Holy Year 8 th Dec 2015 – 20 th Nov 2016 An Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy Doing the work of Christ in loving our neighbour.

Take a moment to think about or discuss the picture.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours, No hands but yours, no feet but ours. Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ’s compassion to the world; Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; Yours are the hands with which He is to bless others now. St. Teresa of Avila (Alive-O6, p.179)

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are actions we can do to extend God's compassion and mercy to those in need.

Pope Francis invites us to celebrate the Year of Mercy by undertaking Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Each month we could choose a Corporal and Spiritual Work of Mercy to practise.

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy help to make life better for those who are suffering.

It is our responsibility to help those in need of food, water, shelter and clothing.

Jesus teaches us to speak for those who are treated unjustly.

Ordinary deeds done everyday in response to the needs of others are works of mercy - our hands doing the work of Christ.

Taking care of one another, teaching others and helping the elderly or sick are some everyday acts of mercy.

The Corporal Works of Mercy (from Matthew 25:35-46) 1. Feed the hungry. 2. Give drink to the thirsty 3. Clothe the naked. 4. Shelter the homeless. 5. Visit the sick 6. Visit the imprisoned. 7. Bury the dead. The Spiritual Works of Mercy 1. Counsel the doubtful. 2. Instruct the ignorant. 3. Admonish the sinner. 4. Comfort the sorrowful. 5. Forgive injuries. 6. Bear wrongs patiently. 7. Pray for the living and the dead. Let’s take a look at each of them now, in child friendly language……

Corporal Works of Mercy are kind acts by which we help others with their physical and material needs. There are seven Corporal Works of Mercy. They are:

Feed the hungry

Give drink to the thirsty

Clothe the poor

Shelter the homeless

Visit the sick

Visit the imprisoned

Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are kind acts by which we help our neighbours with their emotional and spiritual needs. There are also seven Spiritual Works of Mercy. They are:

Guide others in God’s loving ways

Teach one another

Help each other to know the difference between right and wrong

Comfort those who are sad

Forgive others

Be patient with others when they do wrong

Pray for the living and the dead

A Reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel Jesus said “Then the King will say to the people on his right, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world.’ The righteous will then answer him, ‘When Lord did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger, and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!’” (Matthew 25: 34, 37-40)

Whatsoever You Do (Hymn from Alive-06, p. 246) Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me. When I was hungry you gave me to eat When I was thirsty you gave me to drink. Now enter into the home of your father.

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me. When I was weary you helped me find rest. When I was anxious you calmed all my fears. Now enter into the home of my Father.

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me. When I was aged, you bothered to smile. When I was restless you listened and cared. Now enter into the home of my Father.

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me. When I was laughed at you stood by my side. When I was happy you shared in my joy. Now enter into the home of my Father. Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.