For I was Hungry: A miniseries of stories on the Works of Mercy

As we enter Advent and the new year, we launch a miniseries of stories on the Works of Mercy at St. Mary’s Clinic written by Sr. Rosanne Popp. 

There have been many opportunities for St. Mary’s clinic staff to go above and beyond their regular duties of providing medical care to the underserved. In “Extending the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ” to those around us, I was reminded of the seven Corporal Works of Mercy, a Catholic tradition of providing charitable actions that come to the aid of the neighbor in their spiritual and bodily needs. So I have used the seven works of mercy to present several vignettes of St. Mary’s associates extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

For I was Hungry

St. Mary’s Clinic partners with the Houston Food Bank’s special program to provide nutritious foods for the food insecure who are diabetic or at risk for diabetes. The Food Bank brings the food twice a month for distribution, but their program was not well organized and their staff variable. St. Mary’s Clinic staff decided to take charge of the food distribution project. They organized the registration process, obtained the use of an old building for food packing and distribution and streamlined the drive- through and pick-up process. 

Now clients can get their food in a timely manner, record keeping is done efficiently and there is less frustration among the staff and the food recipients. And to underscore their dedication; these associates do this ministry no matter what the weather, including Texas heat/cold and rain.