Faith in Action: Jubilee Style

During our year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois, we have emphasized that we are “Founded in Faith, Called to Witness, Sent Forth to Serve.” During the month of October, we decided to focus on the last four words, “Sent Forth to Serve.”

Specifically, I asked every parish to undertake a communal service project during the month of October. I did not care what date they selected or what type of service project they chose. The goal was simply for every parish to do something - anything - of service in the name of the Lord.

As our parishes participated, each in their own way, I recognized that, as the Shepherd of the Diocese, it was important that I “walk the talk” by joining a parish in their service project. So, on the morning of Saturday, October 19, 2024, I arrived eagerly at one of our parishes to pitch in on their service day. I was greeted by hundreds of parishioners of all ages who were ready to assemble food for the hungry, pack boxes of dry ingredients at a “Feed My Starving Children” event, visit the elderly in nursing homes and extended care, give donations to the Little Sisters of the Poor, make autumn cards for the homebound and veterans, and carry out clean-up projects that included washing windows, pulling weeds, and raking leaves at the homes of people in need of assistance.

I joined a group of 10 wonderful team members that delightfully included grade school students and their parents. We went to the home of a man named George. It was a warm, sunny autumn day. We immediately took off our jackets, donned work gloves and began raking, pulling weeds, and sweeping. As I was raking, George approached me, and we engaged in a friendly conversation. Eventually, I said, “George, I love talking to you! But I need to be a good example, so I better get back to my chore.” He kindly replied, “Oh, Bishop, I want to tell you something. Just by being here, you are setting a good example for everyone. Thank you for your service.”

George shared about his amazing life, including how he went to New York City after 9/11 to help rescue people from the ash and how he went to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to assist with the cleanup efforts. “But I have to tell you,” he added, “I feel a little embarrassed now that I have my bishop and this group helping me with my leaves and weeds. I have three dislocated discs in my back, and I cannot bend or twist.” He sighed and lamented, “I really wish I could work alongside all of you right now, but I can no longer be of service.” I stopped him and said, “George, you’ve shared with me that you pray a daily rosary for peace in the world, attend daily Mass, and once a week bring Holy Communion to the sick in the hospital. You might not be able to serve in the ways you used to, but you are still serving the Lord and your neighbor with your prayers and by bringing the Eucharist to the sick.” Believing that one kind word deserves another in return, I expressed, “Thank YOU for your service!”

My warm chat with George can be summed up with the powerful quote from Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “I cannot do what you do, and you cannot do what I do, but together we can do great things!” That’s it! Depending on our age, abilities, time constraints, and other life challenges, we will all put our faith into action in different ways. The goal is to do something - anything - always in the name of the Lord to build the Kingdom of God.

And remember, when we serve, we may feel good about ourselves with what we did. But there is more to it than that. Jesus himself commanded us to love and serve others. Therefore, as Catholics, our service to others is an outward expression of our love for God, whose Son we follow. To paraphrase the Gospel of Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you do for the least of your brothers or sisters, you do for Jesus!”

As we approach the conclusion of our Jubilee year, with faith, let us never cease to witness Christ by being, “Sent Forth to Serve!”