“The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are.” Saint Edith Stein’s got it down. The world needs each of us to use our God
given gifts to serve through action, and uServe will show teens
how to put their call to service into action. This action should be accompanied
by formation, so that teens can process the meaning behind what we do, and become
equipped to continue performing Christian service throughout their entire
lives.
ACTION:
“The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are.” Saint Edith Stein’s got it down. The world needs each of us to use our God
given gifts to serve through action, and uServe will show teens
how to put their call to service into action. This action should be accompanied
by formation, so that teens can process the meaning behind what we do, and become
equipped to continue performing Christian service throughout their entire
lives.
ACTION:
uServe is designed to engage youth in their faith and foster in them a love of serving
others by providing opportunities to participate in each of the spiritual and
corporal works of mercy.
FORMATION:
In addition to providing service
opportunities, every uServe event
features a combination of prayer activities, reflections, small group
discussion and training so that participants not only partake in good works,
but grow in their faith as well.
“Whatever
you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” -Matthew 25:35
Who are
the least of my brothers, and what can I do for them?
The “least brothers” are those whose physical or spiritual
needs are not met, whose basic human dignity has been undermined or
malnourished for whatever reason. This person might look like a beggar on the
street. This person might look like the unpopular kid sitting by themself at
lunch. Whether or not we know this person, we have a moral responsibility to
care for them.
We
are called to promote Justice - the moral virtue that consists in
the constant and firm will of the faithful to give their due to God and fellow
man. Justice disposes one to promote harmony and equity among all persons
through respect and dignity with an end toward the common good.
We are called to perform Works of Mercy - charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in their spiritual
and bodily necessities.
The corporal works
of mercy include:
- To feed the hungry
- To clothe the naked
- To shelter the homeless
- To visit the sick
- To visit the imprisoned
The spiritual works of mercy are:
- To instruct the ignorant
- To forgive offenses
- To comfort the grieving
- To pray for others