In the past four years, two of my closest friends have become widows. Two men that were not only husbands of my friends, but also my close friends, have passed away. Both of them were in their mid-30's. I think of my young widowed friends and their small children every day. But with all of life's busyness and responsibilities, it's difficult to help them as much as I think I should. Sure, I … [Read more...] about Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Bury the Dead
mercy
Mocha and Mercy : Visit the Imprisoned
This week the woman in charge of the Eucharistic Minister scheduling at our parish called me. She wanted to know if I'd be open to visiting a homebound person one Sunday a month and give him or her communion. I said no. I didn't say no because I think old people smell or I am not a compassionate person. I said no because I feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and commitments. I happen to … [Read more...] about Mocha and Mercy : Visit the Imprisoned
Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Visit the Sick
Visiting the sick was a lot easier before I was a mom. Although ironically, when I became a mom, I had to visit my child at the hospital every day. While most newborns are home with their parents less than a week after birth, our baby didn't leave the hospital until he was 6 weeks old. Getting there as early as I could and staying until late in the evening, and eventually sleeping there every … [Read more...] about Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Visit the Sick
Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Shelter the Homeless
Last night, Matt and I were sitting in our warm, dry, three-bedroom home with indoor plumbing discussing how we need a bigger house. Excuse me while I tell myself to shut-up. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness: "On a single night in January 2014, 578,424 people were experiencing homelessness — meaning they were sleeping outside or in an emergency shelter or transitional … [Read more...] about Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Shelter the Homeless
Mocha, Mercy, and Mondays – Clothe the Naked
One day, when I was moderating lunch as a seventh grade teacher, I received instructions from the principal to "keep the kids down there longer". So, like a good listener, I did so. I wondered why the students were being gifted a longer than usual lunch break, but didn't give it to much thought. Later that afternoon, I found out why we were instructed to keep the students in the lunchroom for an … [Read more...] about Mocha, Mercy, and Mondays – Clothe the Naked
Mocha, Mercy and Mondays – Giving Drink to the Thirsty
Give Drink to the Thirsty. The second corporal work of mercy makes me think of the word "simple". Simple, because I am lucky enough to not live in a third world country. I only need to walk ten steps to get to clean, running water. I know it's 10 steps, because I just counted. Meanwhile, in Guatemala, women like Edelmira, walk twenty minutes from their houses to a community tank where there … [Read more...] about Mocha, Mercy and Mondays – Giving Drink to the Thirsty