Pew to Pilgrim - Comfort the Afflicted

Comforting the Afflicted is somewhat harder to understand than some of the corporal works of mercy. Thinking about the afflicted generates a common question “who are the afflicted?”

The answer is simple - they are all around us. Think about anyone who is suffering, troubled, hurt or struggling. It could be someone who has some type of mental or physical illness, it could be a person grieving, it could be the family or friends of the afflicted uncertain of what to do. 

The challenge is for us to take a big step in our faith to “be available.” This act of mercy calls for us to be aware of the people around us and reach out to those in need. Just as Jesus came to the aid of others even in his greatest difficulties during the Passion, we need to be available to others regardless of our challenges. 

Where to start? Gaining an understanding and being aware of the people in our community, our parish, our friends and our family is a starting point. Actively learning about charitable organizations, their mission and the people they serve is another way to begin. Seeking ways to help these groups as a volunteer or through specific types of donations is also a way to perform this act of mercy.

Closer to home, think about the people around you. Is there someone under unusual stress or someone facing an upcoming loss of a job or spouse, an illness, dealing a failure or fear of what the future holds? Who do they have to support them, reassure them and to pray with them?

Be on the lookout…move beyond your own worries...share a kind word or a reminder you are there for them along with God.

• Prayerfully reflect on how to be an active listener
• Nearly 20% of our returning vets face PTSD and TBI - Learn about the loneliness facing them http://tinyurl.com/lonelyvets
• Reach out to a family, friend or fellow parishioner with an offer to help in some practical way (meals, groceries, babysitting, errands) 
• Donate men’s clothing or toiletries for men struggling with street prostitution in Chicago http://streets.org
• Attend a caregiver workshop “The Spirituality of Presence: A Franciscan Approach” Enroll by calling 847-356-4523
• Provide food and fellowship as a volunteer at Catholic Charities Thursday/Friday night dinners hnchumanconcerns@gmail.com
• Provide health care, legal or education services to the homeless or those living in poverty http://www.volunteerbridge.com or http://streets.org
• Have a Mass offered for someone who has passed or is suffering
• Refer someone who is grieving to Holy Name’s Bereavement Group 
• Send a text, an email, a card to someone struggling to let them know you are there and in your prayers
• Donate to the national Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) for expansion to a new city: http://www.tipnational.org/
• Children facing cancer affect the whole family – give them a Bear Hug http://www.bearnecessities.org/bear-hugs/
• Join the Ministry of Praise to pray for those who are suffering or request a prayer – Call the Prayer Hotline 312-573-4493
• Bring fellowship to lonely elders in Chicago – volunteer for Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly http://www.littlebrotherschicago.org
• Get trained to reach out to male street prostitutes in Chicago with Emmaus Ministries http://streets.org

Lori Doyle and Gabi Schultz are members of the Parish Pastoral Council, active with a variety of Liturgical Ministries as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Cathedral Altar Servers and Ministers of Care at Prentice Hospital/NW Hospital. Both parishioners for about 6 years, Lori loves to travel and cook and is a proud mother of her son John, a UM Wolverine. Gabi enjoys trying new restaurants, running, cooking lessons and spending time with friends and family.

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