Jul 2008



P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That there may be an increase in the number of those who, as volunteers, offer their services to the Christian community with generous and prompt availability.

Dioceses and parishes, throughout the country, have numerous ministries and organisations to cater to the ever increasing spiritual needs of their faithful. All these church ministries and organisations are led by committed men and women who volunteer their time and services for the benefit of their members.

However, there is an area that does not get much publicity nor response because of the nature of its ministry, i.e. feeding and tending to the poor. These come in various forms and because of who they are, stigmatised and marginalsied by society, very few volunteers, almost the same ones, give of their time and energies to minister to the drug-addicts, AIDS victims, the homeless and the rejects of an affluent and fast developing society.

Many Parish Integral Human Development Offices run food-feeding programs for these unfortunate victims. More and more volunteers could and should offer their services in this unenviable and thankless ministry. It is not a popular nor an attractive ministry. Nevertheless, these unfortunate ones are also Christ's loved ones. "Suffering men and women belong to us" said the late John Paul II. Jesus loves us and teaches us to love, He challenges us to love and wants us to experience the beauty of this love and joy.



- END -



© Copyright Shalom 2008. All rights reserved.