1000 Sandwiches

Just a little over four weeks ago, we were signed with a cross of ashes on our foreheads and heard the words, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”  It’s incredible that we are already more than halfway through Lent now, and I wonder if we still hear the call to “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”  To repent of our sins in light of God’s unfathomable mercy and to truly live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, this is what we strive for during Lent.

But we don’t do this alone.  We are a community of believers, a parish family.  And one of the beautiful ways we seek to live the Gospel together is by serving others in need.

Today we begin our parish Lenten Service Project to make 1,000 sandwiches next Sunday for the Lazarus House Food Pantry.  The Pantry is struggling to serve between 1,200 to 1,400 clients every week and asked for our help by making sandwiches for their clients who wait in line.  While a random sandwich may not seem to make a dent in the enormous problem of hunger and food insecurity, our efforts to provide a homemade sandwich communicates our care and concern for our brothers and sisters.  There is no telling what Jesus can do with our humble sandwiches when we are motivated by our love for Him and for others.  For when we love and serve others, we love and serve Jesus Himself, and we live the Gospel.

How can you help?  Pick up one or more of the grocery bags in the narthex at the end of Mass.  Each bag has a specific food item for you to purchase. When you come to Mass next Saturday (March 16), bring the food with you.  (Because of the Irish Night next week in the parish center, we are asking all the Saturday Mass folks to bring your food to the narthex, not the parish center.)  We will use the food you bring to make some of the sandwiches on Sunday.  You all are welcome to come after any Sunday Mass next week (March 23) and to help make 1,000 sandwiches.

So, if you are able, please take a bag (or two) after Mass, and help us love our brothers and sisters at Lazarus House in a tangible way.  In doing so, may we continue this Lent to “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

Sandy Gibbons
Pastoral Minister, St. Matthew Church