The Life of the Church. Prayer, Charity, Love.

Today I spotted this  great video on the Facebook page of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.  They have been posting some great videos on YouTube lately.  This one highlights the life of the diocese taking us on a tour though  the prayerful and charitable life of its various members, religious, and organisations.  ne specific diocese it is a great example of the playful charity that goes on within the Church everyday.

Videos like this are great to show people who claim that all the Church does is accumulate wealth.  We, as members of the Body of Christ, are the largest charitable organization on Earth.  Nothing else even comes close.  Share this with your cynical friends.  It draws a very different picture than that of what most non-Catholics believe we do.  For those who say that Catholicism is a non-Christian or Christian but not charitable it is always great to highlight how we all strive to live everyday holiness through prayer and the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Corporal Works of Mery (Matt 25: 31-46 & Tobit)

1. To feed the hungry.
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
3. To shelter the homeless.
4. To clothe the naked.
5. To visit and ransom the captive, (prisoners).
6. To visit the sick.
7. To bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy 

1. Instruct the uninformed
2. Counsel the doubtful;
3. Admonish sinners;
4. Bear wrongs patiently;
5. Forgive offenses willingly;
6. Comfort the afflicted;
7. Pray for the living, the sick and the dead.