This is the third in our Lenten series on the three pillars of Praying, Fasting and Almsgiving. On the U.S. Catholic Bishop’s website there is a page dedicated to Almsgiving with a directive to seek out the local Catholic Charities for practical ideas on how to “GIVE” during Lent, so here are some of Karidat’s suggestions.
1. GIVE a meal:
– In a box, pack enough canned goods, rice, pasta or other non-perishables up for a full meal and then deliver them to a family in need
– Donate restaurant gift cards ($5 or $10) to your parish priest/administrative assistant. You can be sure that they receive regular requests for assistance and it will go directly to a hungry individual or house- hold
– Drop off some canned or dry goods at the Karidat food pantry or to the Salvation Army
– Pay for a meal (buy a gift coupon) at a local restaurant and give it to a single mom who doesn’t always have time to cook for her children
– Make a little extra for dinner; invite an individual to share it with your family or make a takeout box to give to someone who doesn’t have enough
2. GIVE your time:
– Visit a lonely person at home
– Take a shift for someone who keeps vigil at the hospital for a sick relative. Let them go home to rest and freshen up before they have to return and do it all over again
– Send a letter or make a phone call to someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time; let them know you haven’t forgotten them
– Ask your parish if there is some way to help during the Lenten or Easter season. Do the pews need polishing? The curbs need painting?
– Take the time to go by a Chapel and pray for the dead, or someone’s special intention. Pray for our clergy.
3. GIVE your treasure:
– Donate money to an agency that helps provide education, housing, or some other basic life necessity.
– Use the resources that you are saving by “fasting” during Lent (from sweets, from movies, etc.) and redistribute it to someone in need
– Make a list of your skills and abilities. Offer the use of your talents at your local parish (music, usher, graphic design skills, etc.), a community center or non-profit agency
– Clean the toilet for your mom/spouse/grandparents, just so they don’t have to!
– Help someone find shelter from abuse at Guma Esperansa: give them the gift of our hotline number (234-5100)
– Purchase goods (diapers, baby formula, bed-sheets, clothing) and donate them
“During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving,” which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity [love]. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is”a witness to fraternal charity” and “a work of justice pleasing to God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462). – from the USCCB website, see “Almsgiving”