Our fourth GIFT Sunday focused on the topic of Standing with Those Who Suffer. The goals were to ​1) understand Pope Francis’ notion of that we all need each other, and that we must stand together to build the future, 2) hear stories of people standing with those who suffer inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, and 3) reflect on and respond to our own call to stand with those who suffer among us.
Here's what we did!
  1. Eat. We began with a terrific meal of mac & cheese and cookies.
  2. Share. We introduced ourselves to three other persons and shared responses to this questions: "When you hear the word suffering, what does that mean to you?"
  3. Sing & Pray. We sung the Gift Song and prayed the Gift Prayer.
  4. Listen. We heard Donlon McGovern share what it's like for Jean and him to stand with those who are homebound. See video to the left.
  5. Share. In pairs, we invited people to share about a time when they suffered, and about a time when they stood with someone who was suffering. 
  6. Table Discussion. At tables, we asked participants to identify characteristics of those who stand with those who suffer. Each characteristic was written on a sticky note and pressed to poster board.
  7. Listen. We heard Barbara Hays share about how she stands with those in need through our St. Vincent de Paul ministry. See video to the left.
  8. Listen more. We heard Mary Lynn Pierce and Jennifer Winslow share about standing with Ruth Eng in the final weeks and months of her life. See video to the left.
  9. Add. Participants at tables then added more characteristics to their poster board. Poster boards were then displayed in the form of a cross. They will be on display in the sanctuary for Palm / Passion Sunday. 
  10. Resources. A few resources were available for participants to take home.
  11. ​Sing. We ended by singing This Little Light of Mine.