One of my coworkers recently told me a story about going through the drive-thru at a coffee shop. When she got to the window to pay, the employee informed her that the customer ahead of her paid for her order already. 

All morning, customers in this drive-thru were paying for the person behind them. My coworker, of course,  decided to continue this line of “paying it forward.” Maybe you’ve heard the saying “kindness is contagious.” I think the above story illustrates this saying very well. 

Kindness and courtesy beget kindness and courtesy. I know that many of the members of our TV Mass “Parish of the Airwaves”  are homebound and that many of us have had fewer opportunities to socialize throughout the pandemic. When you don’t have many opportunities to interact with others, it can make it difficult to find ways to express kindness. But fortunately, there is still an important way that everyone, no matter where you are or who you see, can show kindness: by praying.

A community joined in prayer has the power to change lives. That is one of the most important reasons that our TV Mass parish exists. Together,  we form a powerful circle of spiritual support for each other and our community. What a wonderful opportunity for us to do a good deed—together. 

Just like in the story my coworker shared, all of us can work together to make our world a kinder place. Through God’s presence in our lives, we are united. As God’s children, we are all loved. And through our TV Mass community of faith, we are all active participants in the Chicagoland Catholic community.

As you offer your prayers for your brothers and sisters in Christ, think about the strength of your prayers as they join with the prayers of others.  As you do, know that my prayers and the prayers of the rest of our Mercy Home family are with you.