In February and March, 2020, Parishioners were asked to complete this anonymous survey about the works of mercy.

Numbers 1-7 are the traditional corporal works of mercy. Numbers 8-14 are the traditional spiritual works of mercy.

1.   Feed the Hungry: e.g. Donate food or money to a food shelf. Donate time to a meal service, such as Salvation Army dinners. Offer to give/host dinner for a friend or neighbor who is having a difficult time. Buy/give some food for anyone who is impoverished or homeless. Etc.

2.   Give Drink to the Thirsty: e.g. Donate to charities which have a successful program to bring clean water to impoverished peoples. Be grateful for the blessings of clean water. Share knowledge of how to eat healthier and be frugal with food. Help fix a water or electricity problem for a neighbor. Run errands for someone who is sick or who must tend to sick family members. Etc.

3.   Clothe the Naked: e.g. Give away clothes which are in good condition. Donate to a diaper drive for children. Donate money or school items to foster homes. Donate money or gift cards to charities which work with the poor. Etc.

4.   Shelter the Homeless: e.g. Donate to or volunteer for a homeless shelter. Donate services or money to a warming shelter. Pledge to your family and friends you would take in any homeless mother facing a crisis pregnancy, especially high school friends of your children. Contribute to programs that furnish beds or other needed items to poor families. Etc.

5.   Visit the Sick: e.g. Find out what can be done for a neighbor if they are sick. See if food, errands, chores, or seasonal outdoor work is needed. Bring parish bulletins to shut ins. Watch or listen to Catholic shows, talks, or other media, with the sick. Etc.

6.   Visit the Imprisoned: e.g. Contribute to and participate in any programs for those in prison. Find state and local programs that benefit inmates. Support international Christian organizations which advocate for those who are persecuted for their faith. Volunteer at or contribute to Dismas House. Etc.

7.   Bury the Dead: e.g. Contemplate what you can offer for a bereavement ministry. Help with funeral luncheon offerings. Become a parish server for funeral Masses. Volunteer to spring clean a Catholic cemetery. Send sympathy cards to parishioners and community members after the loss of family members. Etc.

8.   Instruct the Ignorant: e.g. Make a habit of reading scripture, especially the Gospels. Inform our own faith and consciences by reading catechetical and apologetics materials. Resolve to find ways in the future to share good catechetical material. Mentor or tutor students at any stage of life. Encourage those with musical, athletic, or any skills to glorify God by prayerfulness, humility, diligence, and hard work. Invite someone to Mass. Etc.

9.   Counsel the Doubtful: e.g. Read spiritual works that inspire our faith and strengthen us with compassion. Contemplate that the Lord does not judge us by worldly standards of “success.” Remind others that the Lord does not judge them by worldly standards of “success.” Give prayerful advice and recommendations to someone. Invite someone to talk to a priest. Etc.

10.   Correct Sinners: e.g. Read the Catechism’s explanation of the Ten Commandments. Engage lovingly in moral conversations when they come. Warn people to beware of the Capital Sins, but assume their vices are small and venial. Advise others to search for the best and most fulfilling options in life. Encourage those who have been away from Confession to receive the sacrament again. Understand the nature of confession, and the blessings from examining our venial sins. Speak of the good things God has done for you when you share the message of Christ with others. Etc.

11.   Bear Wrongs Patiently: e.g. Keep the virtue of longsuffering. When we are angry or resentful, receive the sacrament of Reconciliation and ask God for peace. Say a prayer at the time of any inconvenience. Pray for those who have given offense against us. Make efforts to see the actions of others objectively. Keep our relationship with Christ a higher priority than political activism. Etc.

12.   Forgive Offenses Willingly: e.g. Pray for those who have offended us. Apologize for our smallest offenses regardless of whether others apologize for their offenses. Read Matthew Ch. 18; practice "fraternal correction" with all love. Meditate on the scripture “love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8). Acknowledge to God, by our prayers, that He is the final judge of other people. Etc.

13.   Comfort the Afflicted: e.g. Take time to listen to others. Pray with a person “on the spot” when they have shared their causes of sorrow. Say an Our Father or Hail Mary immediately when you have promised to pray for anyone in need. Donate to a worthy charity that gives direct assistance to those in poverty. Spend time with those who are in pain. Etc.

14.   Pray for the Living and the Dead: e.g. Commit to a daily routine or practice that includes prayer. Look up novenas to pray to patron saints. Pray the Rosary daily (or even weekly). Offer Mass stipends for deceased friends and family. Spend an hour in the church (or at adoration) and offer it for a person or cause. Etc.

• Run fundraisers to assist with good works; serve on non-profit boards doing good works...
• Knitted and donated hats for newborns; knitted prayer shawls for parishioner's struggling with illness or loss of a loved one; washing/ ironing church linens for hospital chaplain...
• Purchase and bring religious items and books to the homebound and institutionalized.
• Visit and socialize weekly with the elderly even though they are not technically "sick".
• Pray and chat with the lonely, mostly elderly.
• Giving rides to Senior Apartments.
• Shopping for a shut-in once in a while.
• Call a shut-in to see how they are doing or to offer help.
• Praying for Confirmation Students and Vocations, Seminarians.
• Provide weekly support (fundraising volunteer) to the Ronald McDonald House of Burlington.
• Supporting the parish and school in Haiti.
• Help parishioners to increase the prayer devotion by leading the Rosary prayer in churches