Serve and be served

I am often touched by the extra mile approach taken by my parish outreach ministry at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Winter Springs, Fla. Focusing on the challenging economic times this Advent season, they have taken a "get back to basics" approach inviting each household to make a Christmas ornament that reflects the special gift of family. The ornaments will then be used to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas.
To add an element of “serve and be served” the weekend before Thanksgiving, they also provided parishioners with envelopes, which will be used throughout the season of Advent. On the envelopes individuals enclose needs they have or how they are able to help. I found this to be a modern-day version of Luke 3:11 (He said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise."). Through information received in the envelopes last week, one family was led to a much needed home, another was given a job after months of unemployment and scores of people who would have been alone on Thanksgiving instead shared a meal with parish families (Matthew 25).
At the end of Mass this past Sunday, we were told that each bulletin contained the gift of an Advent calendar and Father John Bluett, pastor of St. Stephen’s asked us to put it in a prominent place. I anticipated a list of liturgy and Confession times but instead was once again blessed with the spirit of the Advent season. Instead of Mass times, the calendars were designed to prepare us for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Each calendar day presents a simple request to feed, help, reach out, pray for, visit, serve and be served. I left Mass thinking — what a beautiful time of year it is for those of us who follow Christ. May we all learn to diligently follow in his footsteps as well.
For Advent prayers and daily news, views and information visit www.thefloridacatholic.org.