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In Matthew 25, Jesus issues a famous command to his followers – Christians are to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, welcome the stranger, and serve those in need. The actions described in this passage are collectively known as the ‘Works of Mercy’ in the Catholic church and are considered the backbone of Catholic social teaching. They also provide the backbone of a Notre Dame service organization that is dedicated to helping students follow this call: Mercy Works, a branch of Campus Ministry that bears both the name and mission of Matthew 25. Mercy Works provides service opportunities to Notre Dame students at 25 community organizations in South Bend and covers transportation costs so that students can immerse themselves in the wider region at no cost to themselves.

Students participating in Mercy Works spend about three hours a week doing good at their organization of choice alongside a small group of other MercyWorkers. They also have the opportunity to participate in group discussion events where they can connect the lessons they’ve learned through their time in service with Catholicism and the central message of the Gospels.

“It’s been such an amazing experience being able to immerse myself in the South Bend community and getting to know the kids,” stated sophomore Emma Conroy, who began serving at the local Latino youth center La Casa de Amistad through Mercy Works in the fall of this year. “It makes such a difference in my week to be able to get off campus and form relationships with them.”

Sophomore Ela Bukowksi expressed a similar sentiment about the light that Mercy Works brings to her own experience at Notre Dame. “Going to be one with the community is a highlight to each of my weeks. Every time I go, my relationships with the students grow stronger as I help them with schoolwork and spend time with them playing games,” she told Scholastic. Ela volunteers at Transformation Ministries, a Christian organization dedicated to providing services, mentorship, and support to children and teenagers in South Bend. She also emphasized the sense of community that Mercy Works has given her, as well as the role it has played in her own growth as a student and a Catholic. “I heard about Mercy Works during my freshman year through other students that were involved and knew that the focus on ‘Faith and Justice’ was the perfect fit for me. The directors and kids at this program have truly become like a family to me. My time here has aided my personal development and made me realize the beauty in kinship.”

Personally, my time serving at Hope Ministries and A Rosie Place for Children through Mercy Works have ingrained a real understanding in me that I live in South Bend; this is my community, and the people I serve and serve with are my neighbors in a concrete and literal way. Campus Ministry’s stated goal for Mercy Works is to foster ‘transformative kinship’ between Notre Dame students and South Bend residents. While there is always more work to be done, I certainly can testify that it is transformational – both in the city at large and in the hearts of the students participating.