After sixteen years as a parish youth minister, I have lost count of the number of times I have told a young person that “actions speak louder than words.” The truth of this statement can be seen no more clearly than in the spreading of the Gospel — the Gospel is best understood when those who proclaim it also act upon it. 

This past Pentecost, the Holy Father called upon all who have received the Holy Spirit to take direct action to bring the comfort of God to those around them. He stated: 

We, too, are called to testify in the Holy Spirit, to become paracletes, comforters. The Spirit is asking us to embody the comfort he brings… The Paraclete is telling the Church that today is the time for comforting. It is more the time for joyfully proclaiming the Gospel than for combatting paganism. It is the time for bringing the joy of the Risen Lord, not for lamenting the drama of secularization. It is the time for pouring out love upon the world, yet not embracing worldliness. It is more the time for testifying to mercy than for inculcating rules and regulations. 

This is the goal of the Archdiocese of Detroit’s annual Mercy in Action Day of Service — to proclaim the Gospel through acts of mercy. On October 16th, the whole Church in southeast Michigan will boldly witness to our encounter with Jesus Christ by performing acts of Mercy in our local communities. We do this by each parish or vicariate coming up with a project that aligns to a Corporal or Spiritual Work of Mercy—last year, parishes had food drives, cleaned cemeteries, prayed for the unborn, fixed up homes, packed supplies for shelters, went door to door providing support, and more! 

How can you help your parish get involved in Mercy in Action Day 2021? 

1. Pray about which of the Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy your community needs to see in action! 
2. Check out the Mercy in Action Day Parish Packet 
3. Discuss a project with your Pastor and Parish Team — Use the Evangelical Charity Finder to find a local partner that might need your help! 
4. Help recruit volunteers to complete your project!