Mendota (IL) Catholic

The shared mission of the Mendota Catholic Parishes is: "To help all persons live out and understand the relevance and priority of Jesus Christ and His Gospel in the Catholic Faith".  To accomplish this mission, the Mendota Catholic Parishes are launching an initiative named “1000 Acts of Kindness”.  This initiative is a practical, team-oriented way to evangelize our families, the Mendota area, and beyond.  Blast off is scheduled for August 15th, the Feast of Mary's Assumption.

Kindness is a key component in Jesus' teaching on how we are to to treat other people and effectively serve Him.  Well-known Gospel passages that emphasize the priority of kindness include:

• Matthew 7:12 where Jesus gives us the the Golden Rule: "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you".

• Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus lays the foundation for the Corporal Works of Mercy: "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me".  Jesus identifies the "least" as anyone who is hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, or in prision.

• Luke 10:25-37 where Jesus gives us the story of the Good Samaritan to explain how we our to "love our neighbor as ourselves".

Kindness involves care, charity, compassion, generosity, helpfulness, mercy, patience, and understanding.  Practicing these virtues demonstrates the love of Jesus and the enduring relevance of His teaching.  Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). It builds trust and good will with people, especially those we want to invite (back) to Mass and the Catholic Faith.

The team leader for "1000 Acts of Kindness" is Jesus.  He set the standard for authentic kindness.  Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, washed the feet of His Apostles, associated with the outcasts of society, encouraged sinners to repent, forgave sins and His executioners, and died on the Cross to give us the opportunity for eternal life.  In the final analysis, kindness is an act of love.  True love does what is best for the other person.  Regardless of popular opinion, Jesus always does what is best for everyone.  To be successful, Jesus must be the model and motivation for our Acts of Kindness.

Everyone is encouraged to join the “1000 Acts of Kindness” Team.  Membership requires no special skill, extensive planning, or major time commitment.  Just look for simple Acts of Kindness you can do as part of your daily life.  Do small things that will really benefit others, things that you would want someone to do for you, things that Jesus would do/approve.  Use your imagination and, of course, use good judgment, be safe, and don’t be a nuisance.  If anyone questions you about your kindness, tell them that you are on a mission from the Mendota Catholic Parishes and ultimately God.

When considering what Acts of Kindness you might actually do, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are a valuable resource and a good place to start.  Click/tap HERE for more information.

Some examples of simple Acts of Kindness are:

• Let someone else have the closer parking spot.

• Be patient with and pray for someone who is struggling or making your life difficult.

• Talk to/listen to someone who appears lonely.  Console someone who is hurting/upset.

• Visit someone in the nursing home/hospital or who is homebound.

• Tip the drive-thru attendant at a fast food restaurant.

• Complement/thank someone for doing a good/difficult/dirty job.

• Give school supplies, gift cards, haircuts, etc. to a needy family.

• Invite someone to go with you to Confession and Mass.

• Pray the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet for someone in need.

Some examples for grade schoolers and teens are:
 

• Entertain your younger brother/sister while Mom makes dinner.

• Let Dad have the last doughnut.

• Be a friend to the new/unpopular student at school.

• Visit/call your grandparents.

• Tutor/practice with someone who is struggling with a class/sport.

• Do some odd jobs for a senior citizen/neighbor.

After you perform an Act of Kindness, record your Act using a paper form or the electronic form on this page.  Describe your kindness respecting the privacy of anyone who may have been the recipient.  Return completed paper forms to the Parish Office or place them in the collection basket at Mass.  Paper forms were postal mailed to all registered parishioners of the Mendota Catholic Parishes.  Additional paper forms are available in the vestibule of Holy Cross Church or Sts. Peter and Paul Church or at the Parish Office.  Scroll down to access and submit an electronic form.  There is no limit to the number of Acts that any one person may perform.  Please use a separate form to record each Act.

The running total of recorded Acts of Kindness will be published on the home page of mendotacatholic.org and in the parish bulletins each weekend for the duration of this initiative.  The goal is 1000 recorded Acts.  However, we hope to reach many more than 1000.  The initiative begins Aug. 15th and will run through and hopefully beyond the Welcome Back Weekend (Sept. 25/26).

A memorial “1000 Acts of Kindness” Bulletin Board will be unveiled during the Welcome Back Weekend.  This bulletin board will display the recorded Acts of Kindness as well as the running total.  Individuals and families who want to post their own Acts on the board may do so during Welcome Back Weekend festivities.  Contact the Parish Office for more information on “1000 Acts of Kindness”.