Great ideas to truly participate in the Jubilee Year of Mercy; I really like the 2nd one

Simple steps to make the most of the Year of Mercy

The staff of The Monitor has compiled practical tips and suggestions for increasing your appreciation for God’s mercy and living out mercy in your everyday life. Share how you’ll be enhancing your spiritual life during this Extraordinary Jubilee on Facebook – search Trenton Monitor. -- Accompany an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist on visits to the homebound or hospitalized, or better yet, become an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist yourself! -- Become a prison minister -- Contribute to or host collections of food, clothing, household goods, or money for local outreach or service agencies. Contact Catholic Charities’ Emergency Services, Project Paul, St. Vincent de Paul, the Mount Carmel Guild or local parish food pantries for what would be most beneficial to the people they serve. -- Explore the map at PovertyUSA.org to find local organizations that practice mercy by learning about and addressing poverty. -- Join a consolation ministry and assist grieving families with funeral preparations, or simply be actively involved in helping after a funeral by sending meals or a hand-written card -- Make a visit as a family to a nursing home, hospital or the homebound. Teachers could encourage their classes to send cards or letters to residents and patients. -- Make a habit of receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, spending time in prayer and asking God to healing your relationship with Him and others -- Pray Pope Francis’ prayer for the Jubilee Year each morning or evening (see page S4). -- Practice relinquishing the need for control, allowing petty grievances to slide and offering prayers for those who cause offense -- Read the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska, “Divine Mercy in My Soul.” -- Recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet each day, especially at 3:00 p.m., the Hour of Mercy. -- Spend time with a neighbor, friend or family member dealing with an illness or significant life changes -- Visit a local cemetery and say prayers the intentions of the interred or entombed. -- Use the USCCB’s “Two Feet of Love in Action” guide to strengthen both charitable works and social justice at home and as part of your faith community. See www.usccb.org/twofeet.