CHARITY: PRACTICAL LOVE
Charity is practical love. It is not just a 'hand out' to those in need.
Charity is service to others for their benefit. There is an old saying:
"Charity begins at home." Charity at home is doing good for the members of
one's family. This can mean deliberately spending a little more time with
one's spouse or children. How about visiting a relative in a convalescent
home or writing a letter or sending a card to someone you've been out of
touch with? Doing these things maybe once each week during the Fast.
Hopefully we can continue some of these acts of charity beyond the Fasting
season.
"WHEN I WAS NAKED YOU CLOTHED ME
WHEN I WAS HUNGRY YOU GAVE ME TO EAT"
GREAT FAST CLOTHING AND FOOD DRIVE
During the Great Fast our parish Saint Nicholas Apostolate will be conducting a Food and Clothing Drive to benefit families in need. Boxes for food and clothing donations will be placed in the hall near the Religious Gifts Corner. By works of charity we can imitate the charity of Christ who gave Himself up for our salvation.
"WHEN I WAS ILL AND IMPRISONED, YOU VISITED ME"
VISIT TO AN AREA RETIREMENT INN
During Great Fast you may also consider joining Father Anthony in a visit to a near-by senior retirement home. Father brings Holy Communion to Catholic residents there. The visit takes about a half an hour.
FASTING AS A MEANS FOR CHARITY TOWARDS OTHERS
Finally, by the practice of fasting we can save money that can then be given
to those in need. The Lord spoke of the kind of fasting He desires: "Deal
your bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harborless into your
house." (Isaiah 58:7). Fasting joined with prayer and deeds of service for
others is an act of worship to God and is helpful in our pursuit of
spiritual renewal.
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Saint
Basil the Great
