Service in South Bend
"Through my involvement in Mercy Works this past year, I have developed a strong commitment to the principles of the common good and justice that are largely animated by Catholic Social Tradition. ... Self-reflection and conversing in smaller groups at our Mercy Works Huddles this past year have been valuable for exploring how faith can inform leading a life of justice and vice versa." -Ethan Chiang, Class of 2027
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. In serving “the least of these,” we serve Him. Motivated by this call to radical solidarity and rooted in the Good News of Jesus who came to be one with us, the mission of Mercy Works is to foster transformative kinship between Notre Dame students and residents of the South Bend community. Mercy Workers participate in both service and reflection, including:
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Weekly, relational service with a local nonprofit (2-4 hours per week): See “places to serve” below to learn about our community partners.
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Biweekly small groups with fellow Mercy Workers (1 hour, every other week): In these small groups, Mercy Workers practice kinship by listening to one another’s stories and striving together toward holistically integrated lives. Inspired by themes of Christian spirituality and Catholic Social Teaching, these small groups will give students a chance to reflect on their service experiences and to notice, name, and honor our inherent belovedness and interconnectedness.
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Monthly Mercy Works Huddles (optional, once a month): At these dinner gatherings, Mercy Workers build community with one another and learn from guest speakers about a variety of Mercy Works-related topics. Past Huddles have engaged with topics such as housing insecurity in South Bend and principles of restorative justice.
Transportation is provided for Mercy Works volunteers via student drivers (with the cost of gas reimbursed), bus routes (free to ND students), and rideshare 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.
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 Mercy Works, cstills2@nd.edu +1 574-631-5368