Corporal Works of Mercy

For thousands of years, the Catholic Church and organizations associated with it have met the needs of families and the vulnerable. It is part of who we are. This parish helps people, parishioners as well as those in need, who might not be associated with the parish, through "corporal works of mercy." Here are a few examples.

Every holiday season, St. Ignatius Parish generously supports children, teens, adults, and seniors in need through the Advent Giving Tree Project. The Parish coordinates with local nonprofit agencies, including schools and senior care programs, to provide gifts at Christmas time to those who otherwise might not receive one. Through the generosity of St. Ignatius parishioners, the program distributes over 500 gifts to the people these agencies serve.

Las Vecinas de El Salvador is a social ministries program that works to maintain an ongoing relationship with the people of El Salvador through St. Ignatius Parish’s sister parish of San Antonio in Soyapango, El Salvador. As sister parishes, San Antonio Parish and St. Ignatius Parish are committed to strengthening our friendship and working together in support of peace with justice. Through the Las Vecinas Arts & Crafts Sale, St. Ignatius Parish raises many thousands of dollars per year to help our sister parish.

The Shelter Meal Program at St. Ignatius Parish serves San Francisco residents in need solely through the work of volunteers. Volunteers prepare over 500 wholesome meals a month  for our brothers and sisters who, for whatever reason, find themselves homeless, without permanent shelter, or in need of assistance.

At St. Ignatius Parish, Simple Needs Sundays are regular parish collection drives in support of the most basic and urgent needs of our homeless and struggling neighbors. In the last year, parishioners have given approximately 1800 items. These items were distributed locally through Catholic service agencies directly to those most in need.

Through the St. Ignatius Parish Neighbor to Neighbor ministry St. Ignatius parishioners are helped by other parishioners. Examples include: home-cooked meals when someone is sick or hospitalized; ready-to-cook meals for new baby respite for the family; visits or calls to elderly parishioners; rides to the doctor or Sunday Mass for those who have a hard time with public transportation; walking with someone who had a stroke and needs some exercise; and Eucharist to the home-bound.

Thank you for joining us as we walk with the excluded and care for the Earth, our common home, by actively serving our neighbors, including especially the under-resourced.

Here is a full list of the seven Corporal Works of Mercy:

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Clothe the naked
• Shelter the homeless
• Visit the sick
• Visit the imprisoned
• Bury the dead