Did you know that many parishes and organizations throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland are planning projects for the Diocesan Day of Service on Saturday, April 5?
The event offers an opportunity to serve as Eucharistic missionaries and pilgrims of hope in conjunction with the Eucharistic Revival Year of Mission and the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Greg Coogan, diocesan secretary for catechetical formation and parish life, said plans are underway across the diocese to encourage people to participate in this special day of service.
A plenary indulgence may be obtained by participating in certain works of mercy such as visiting the sick and imprisoned, spending time with the elderly and homebound, aiding the sick or disabled and helping those in need. Click here for more information on the plenary indulgence or to view a video about indulgences.
Here’s a quick look at some of the places planning events for the Diocesan Day of Service.
- The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist will begin its Service Day at 8 a.m. with morning prayer in the cathedral. Examples of their projects include preparing, cooking and serving breakfast to residents of Joseph & Mary’s Home; cleaning and organizing parts of the cathedral; making Easter cards for the homebound; assisting at the Refugee Resource Center at St. Colman Parish; interior and exterior maintenance/cleaning at St. Aloysius/St. Agatha Parish; hosting a baby shower for Zelie’s Home residents and more. Volunteers should check availability for projects and register here.
- Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Grafton has a busy day planned with a cleanup on the grounds of St. Mary Cemetery led by the parish Holy Name Society, weeding and maintenance on the parish grounds, washing pews in the church and chapel led by Parish Council members. Children in grades K-6, assisted by teen helpers, will make spring craft projects and Easter cards to send to the homebound and those in nursing homes, and they will color placemats for upcoming community meals and create blessing bags to be delivered to the elderly. Advance registration is required for the children’s event. In addition, the parish guild will clean the kitchen in the parish hall, the choir will sing at a nursing home and volunteers are needed to assist the Helping Hands Food Pantry. Volunteers should bring gardening gloves and supplies if they plan to work on the outdoor projects or pails and rags if they plan to help wash pews. Pastor Father John Seabold is encouraging parishioners to do something at home or in their neighborhood on a day that works best for them if they are not able to join in the April 5 event. “If you are not able to serve in a physical way, then serve by praying for all who will be taking part in the parish and throughout the diocese on this day,” he added.
- The Cleveland State Newman Campus Ministry, coordinated by Joe Alto, campus minister, is planning a beach clean-up project on April 5.
- The Case Western Reserve University Campus Ministry, under the guidance of Heide Chew, will collaborate with CSU on the beach clean-up and the Labre ministry will distribute food to the homeless during that week.
- Christa Alaburda, campus minister at the University of Akron RooCatholic (Newman) Campus Ministry, said Akron students will be serving at the Peter Maurin Center’s mobile pantry and possibly at Catholic Charities’ Camp Christopher.
- After gathering for 8:30 a.m. Mass in SS. Robert and William Church on April 5, parishioners from SS. Robert and William and St. John of the Cross parishes in Euclid plan to visit the homes of area senior citizens (who signed up in advance) to help get their yards cleaned up for spring. Volunteers will receive work assignments, supplies and T-shirts identifying them as Day of Service volunteers after Mass. Click here or call 216-731-1515 for information or to sign up as a volunteer for the Service Day.
Click here for more information. Check with your parish, school or Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland for some possible ways to serve on April 5 or beyond.