A very important aspect of Ignatian spirituality is being a “person for others.” With that in mind, we periodically organize drives here at Loyola Press to collect items (and money) that will serve the needs of others. Most recently, we had a school supply drive to assist the students at an inner-city Catholic school in Chicago.
In addition, we also recently collected books for the Jesuit Prison Ministry – 9 boxes weighing over 300 pounds (as well as a donation to Bernie’s Book Bank). Thanks to Linnette Mathys for coordinating these efforts.
All of this got me to thinking. When I was in parish ministry, one of my catechists developed the idea of a Caring Corner. Each month, parishioners were asked to bring in items for a designated charity. She created a Caring Corner drop off box that was placed in the vestibule of the Church and then she coordinated the packing up of these items for the charities.
It occurred to me that this could be done on a regular basis in a parish and that the parents of the kids in the religious education program can be asked to gather once per month while the kids are in class to sort the donations and pack them for delivery to the designated charity. Just one more way to involve the parents and to invite them to participate in the Church’s mission.
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