"Mercy is love when it encounters suffering... and reaches out in compassion to help."
- Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC

While every Christian is called to do acts of service throughout their life, there is a special emphasis on service during the time of Confirmation preparation. This allows candidates to identify and develop their own personal gifts and charisms and grow in connection with the larger Body of Christ. Service encourages us to step outside of ourselves and encounter Christ in the other. It allows us to come to know Christ more intimately by challenging us to recognize the sufferings of others as the sufferings of Christ.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Works of Mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities" (CCC2447).

All members of St. Clare Youth Ministry are welcome and encouraged to do works of mercy, but only Confirmation candidates will be required to submit hours for credit. All those who plan to attend service opportunities must fill out the proper paperwork beforehand. Both Year 1 and Year 2 Confirmation candidates must fill out and submit a Works of Mercy Verification & Reflection Form by their respective deadlines to receive credit. 

Don't forget to bring a Works of Mercy form to be signed by a supervisor!

• PRAISE Retreat: Summer 2022
• Vacation Bible School (VBS): July 11-15, 2022

It doesn't take much to look around and see that there is no shortage of people in need of help and healing in our world. While St. Clare's will be hosting various service opportunities throughout the year, there are endless ways to get involved and serve the greater Houston community and our world. The reason the diocese requires service to be part of Confirmation prep is to provide an oppotunity to discover ways you may love to serve. Below is a list of some wonderful service organizations to try. 
 

• Anawim Thrift Store: Thrift store owned by Magnificat House that provides clothing and household items for those in need.
  • Address: 2102 Common St., Houston, TX 77009
    Phone: 281-650-8712
• The Beacon: Working with the homeless in several different areas of service. Working as a greeter and helping intake all the clients, helping provide meals, and helping with laundry.
  • Address: 1212 Prairie St. Houston, TX 77002
    Phone: 713-220-9737
    Contact: Ron Marshall
    Email: rmarshall@beaconhomeless.org
    Website: https://www.beaconhomeless.org 
• Clear Lake Food Pantry: Food pantry that provides food to low-income families. To sign up, visit their website.
  •  Address: 15700 Space Center Blvd., Houston, TX 77062
     Email:  volunteer@clearlakefoodpantry.org
     Website: https://clearlakefoodpantry.org/
     Open: every Monday and Thursday from 7:30 am to 10:00 am and Wednesday from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm

• Galveston Food Bank: Food pantry that provides food to low-income families. To sign up, visit their website.
  •  Address: 624 4th Ave N., Texas City, 77590
     Phone number: 409-945-4232
     Website: https://www.galvestoncountyfoodbank.org/
     Open: every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm and Fridays from 9 am to 12 pm; second Saturday each month from 9 am to 12 pm
• Houston Food Bank: Food pantry that provides food to low-income families. To sign up, visit their website.
  •  Address: 535 Portwall St., Houston, TX 77029
     Phone number: 832-369-9254
     Website: http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/volunteer/portwall/
     Open: Monday through Friday: 8 am-12 pm, 1 pm-4 pm, 6 pm-9 pm; Saturday 8 am-12 pm, 1 pm-4 pm; every third Sunday of the month 9 am-12 pm.
• Interfaith Caring Ministries (ICM): Offers a wide range of services to those residing in the Bay Area community including Food Pantry, Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance, Resale Shop, Christmas Store, Peanut Butter Drive, Back To School Supply Drive, Fangtastic Toothbrush and Toothpaste Drive and Paper Product Drive. To volunteer, call to schedule. 
  •  Address: 151 Park Avenue, League City, TX 77573 (Client Services, Administration & Food Pantry); 803 E. Nasa Parkway, Suite 118, Webster, TX 77598 (Resale Shop)
     Phone number: 281-332-3881(Admin & Food Pantry); 281-332-2025 (Resale Shop)
• Keegan Kitchen: Soup kitchen which provides meals for the homeless. This is a great place to work on your days off of school or over the summer.
  • Address: 535 Portwall St., Houston, TX 77029
    Phone: 832-369-9254
    Contact: Kristian Fills
    Email: kfills@houstonfoodbank.org
    Website: http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/volunteer/keegan/
    Open: 8 am-12 pm; 1 pm-4 pm Monday through Friday 
• Loaves and Fishes: Soup kitchen which serves and prepares meals for the homeless.
  • Address: 2009 Congress Ave, Houston, TX 77002
    Contact: Larry Cronin
    Email: lcronin2@comcast.net 
    Website: http://mhihouston.org/how-to-help/volunteer/
• Martha’s Kitchen: This is a good summer service project for 1-2 kids at a time. They work 9:45am-1:45pm serving food to the homeless. They are only open Monday - Friday. 
  • Address: S Jensen Dr, Houston, TX 77003
    Phone: 713-224-2522
    Contact: Sr. Mary Elena
• Mustard Seed Resale Shop: Resale shop in Houston which serves low income families. They are run by Magnificat House.
  • Address: 1410 Elgin St. Houston, Tx 77004
    Phone: 713-524-7333
    Website: http://mhihouston.org/how-to-help/volunteer/
• The Rise School: Working with kids with disabilities from 8 am-12 pm during a summer camp.
  • Address: 5618 H. Mark Crosswell, Jr. Street Houston, TX 77021
    Phone: 713-532-RISE (7473) 
    Contact: Peggy Jackson
    Email:  pejackson@riseschool.org
    Website: http://www.riseschool.org/volunteer.html
• St. Vincent de Paul Society: Food fair which provides fresh produce to low-income families. The 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of each month.
  Address: 6654 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77087
  Contact: Patrice St. Pe
  Email: Patrice.st.pe@svdhouston.org
  Website: http://www.svdphouston.org/volunteer

I am always looking for more great ministries to partner with so if you know of any more locally located groups in need of help or offering opportunities for service, please let me know!

Socially Distant Service:

While all the above organizations are taking the necessary precautions during the pandemic, if you are looking for more virtual/at-home service opportunities, check out this helpful link!

Just make sure to clear your project with me before doing it as not all the activities on this list will count towards Works of Mercy credit!

If an at-home project is approved, then a parent may sign your Works of Mercy Verification and Reflection Form as "supervisor."