Visit the Sick
-
Those who are sick are often forgotten or avoided. In spite of their illness, these individuals still have much to offer to those who take the time to visit and comfort them.
Serve
We encourage parishes to hold a special blessing during mass for the Anointing Of The Sick.
Next time you make a meal that can be easily frozen, make a double batch and give it to a family in your parish who has a sick loved one.
Give blood.
Cook and deliver meals to the sick and homebound.
Take communion to a homebound parishioner.
Waste sites are always located in the poorer neighborhoods, which contributes to the higher rate of health issues in the low-income community: Clean up a local waste site.Accompany
Volunteer
L'Arche Portland
Maybelle Center (formerly Macdonald House) (PDX)
Reach out to the friendless in your local nursing homes. Make time for those who may be "sick at heart" from being lonely and forgotten and who are regularly deprived of the basic human need called "friendship."
Visit a friend, relative, or stranger in a nursing or convalescent center.
Spend time volunteering at a nursing home – Get creative and make use of your talents (e.g. sing, read, paint, call Bingo, etc.)!
Take time on a Saturday to stop and visit with an elderly neighbor.
Offer to assist caregivers of chronically sick family members on a one-time or periodic basis.
Give caregivers time off from their caregiving responsibilities so they can rest, complete personal chores, or enjoy a relaxing break.
Join a Work to End Poverty Job Sharing Team, a program of CCS (Salem)Defend
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Its legislative and public policy priority is to support Americans affected by mental illness opportunities to build better lives. Learn more and join its advocacy efforts.
An adequate medical safety net for the poor is still badly needed. Contact your legislators and advocate for one.
REFLECT AND FOLLOW-UP: The work of mercy isn't finished when the activity ends. Spend time in prayer, reflecting on where you saw and experienced the love and mercy of Christ. If you did an activity with a group, follow-up with others in that group and share insights or observations. This is a chance to grow in faith - and mercy! - together.