Make It Happen
Advanced planning
- Several weeks before the activity, decide where to host it. The location could be a small meeting room at the parish or the home of one of the young adults in the group.
- Once a place, time, and date are finalized, the next step is to ask people for donations. This is where people in the wider parish might be invited to donate items. You can write up something for the bulletin or Sunday announcements to let people know you are looking for supplies such as hotel-sized toiletries and clean pairs of socks.
- Ask the pastor or a pastoral associate if you can leave a plastic bin at the back of the church to collect the items for the project. Be sure to ask permission from the parish before putting something in the back of the church. Also, make sure the bin or box is properly labeled for the project. Sometimes a parish office will also accept donation items if you have a bin where items can be placed. Ask someone in the parish office for his or her advice on how to collect donated items up to the day of the project.
- Create the note for the bulletin to alert young adults (or even some young families) that young adult ministry will be creating a “feast for others.” This event can be child-friendly, as children can easily help pack smaller items into bags.
- You can prepare an opening and closing prayer for the event. Or you can also use the Prayer for Program Planner in this program.
Day of the event
- Set out nametags and markers.
- Welcome the participants.
- Begin with a welcome message and the opening prayer, which can be Matthew 5:3-11.
- Invite participants to introduce themselves and say one thing that caught their attention from the Scripture reading before they begin packing their bags.
- The reading from the Beatitudes compliments this activity because it prepares our hearts and minds to be in the spirit of giving of ourselves for others.
- You can introduce the initial sharing piece like this:
- As a way for us to get to know each other, let’s give our name, our parish (if you have one) and one thing from the Scripture passage that caught your attention.
- After everyone has had a chance to share, thank them for coming out to help pack the bags.
- Then comes the fun part of packing the bags and working together as a team to create a “feast for others.”
- This project works best “assembly line style” with people gathering items for the bags.
- Children can be included in the assembly line, helping to pack items in bags as well. They may need some supervision and assistance, but this project can be an all-ages project.
- Once the bags are all packed, each of the volunteers can take a few to keep in their cars. Also, check with the rectory beforehand to see if they would like to keep a few bags on hand to give out if people come knocking for assistance.
- If there are too many extra bags without any homes, it is also possible to have some volunteers check with neighboring churches to see if they would like some already packed bags.
- At the end of the project, close with a prayer. Be sure to tiddy the room in the parish where you were meeting. Lock up the room when you are finished.
Ideas
- One follow-up idea is to watch the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, the story of Chris Gardner. Chris overcomes work and life obstacles while caring for his young son. At one point in his life, he struggles with homelessness, sleeping on the subway and on the floor of public restrooms. He also tries to be positive in supporting his young son while they bounce from one living situation to another. The movie is inspirational, as we see Chris, who is a loving father, care deeply for his son and continue to show a strong work ethic while attempting to do his very best. He shows courage and strength while trying to become a better father and a better employee.
- You might also consider extending the event by inviting someone from a local homeless shelter to speak briefly to your group about homelessness in your area.
Help
- Try to contact one or two local social service agencies to see if they have a pamphlet or information that can be shared with homeless men and women. Or contact the local Catholic Charities in your diocese and see if they have information that can be included in the kit.