In the spirit of the Year of Mercy, the Sister Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara led teens in baking for and visiting the homebound.

The youth of SS. Peter and Paul parish, Williamsburg, were all invited to participate in a morning liturgy on Veterans Day at Epiphany Church and meditate on the message of working toward personal sanctity.

The youth then gathered in the church’s soup kitchen to bake goods for homebound parishioners they would be visiting later in the day.

The two homebound parishioners joyfully welcomed the youth into their homes in the afternoon and were edified by their desire to visit those who oftentimes are forgotten and alone.

The youth brought each of them the baked goods they had prepared, sang songs on the ukulele and desired to spend some time with them.

Accompanied by extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to the homebound, the youth learned about these two sick members of the community and prayed with them for the grace they need to carry their cross with peace.

One of the homebound parishioners encouraged the youth to “stay on the right path:” one of service and joy, doing good to those around them and praying for the grace to do God’s will each day.

At the conclusion of this day of service in the community, the youth returned to the parish to pray for the intentions of Pope Francis in order to gain the indulgences united to these corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

The Sister Servants thank God for the energy of our youth and for their disposition to serve those who are in need.