Service in South Bend
"The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us?" - Dorothy Day
Campus Ministry's service program, Mercy Works, is named after the works of mercy, the call directly from Jesus in Matthew 25 to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, welcome the stranger, and more, all because in serving “the least of these,” we serve Christ. Therefore, the invitation to serve our community on an ongoing basis is not simply about service. It is about a “revolution of the heart,” a chance to encounter Christ in those most in need, be transformed, and respond to the call to be protagonists of justice in our world today.
Through the Mercy Works program, both undergraduate and graduate students engage in weekly service (2-4 hours a week), working together in small groups to encounter people on the margins of the South Bend community. We offer a wide variety of options: students may choose to feed the hungry, tutor adults on the road to recovery, play with children, or so much more. Transportation is provided for Mercy Works volunteers via student drivers (with the cost of gas reimbursed), bus routes (free to ND students), and ride share services (reimbursed), so you do not need a car to participate. Students of all faith traditions, backgrounds, and experiences are welcome and encouraged to participate.
In addition to service, students are invited to gather on campus for "Mercy Works Huddles," a chance to reflect together on their experiences of receiving and extending mercy. Through engagement with justice issues, small group conversations, and more, the Huddle gives students a chance to explore how their service experiences speak to their faith, their understanding of social justice, and simply who they are as people. This combination of serving the South Bend community and integrating their insights into their everyday lives gives students an important opportunity to become, as we say here at Notre Dame, a force for good in the world.
One-Time Service Opportunities
"It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” - Mother Teresa
Campus Ministry has a variety of community partners in South Bend that welcome and appreciate Notre Dame students as volunteers. Many of these nonprofits offer one-time service opportunities for both individual students and groups, whether it be some of your friends, your residence hall, or your club. Contact our community partners directly to set up the experience yourself, and let Becky Czarnecki know if you would like assistance putting together reflection questions, prayer, or justice education to pair with your service experience. We are happy to help.
Contact
Cameron Stillson, Coordinator of Student Ministry, cstills2@nd.edu +1 574-631-5368