Issue 1.3 - May 5, 2025
As we continue our journey to share hope through mercy, let's talk about developing a plan for your parish or school's mercy initiative.
PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
Planning a successful campaign begins with a clear understanding of your goals, audience, and message. Whether you're planning a mercy event, promoting the challenge, or preparing formation materials, effective planning ensures your efforts are meaningful and well-coordinated.
Start by identifying your objective—what you want people to do or understand—and who you want to reach. Then consider the most effective ways to deliver your message, such as social media, email, print materials, or in-person engagement. Establish a timeline, assign roles, and set measurable benchmarks to track progress.
With thoughtful planning, your mercy initiative can inspire people and make a lasting impact. See the Finding Hope Through Mercy Toolkit for planning resources.
Planning Considerations
- Review the liturgical calendar to identify meaningful dates for formation and mercy activities
- Consider aligning with existing events to maximize participation
- Begin thinking about your participation in a mercy event or hosting your own event
- Identify key leaders who can champion different aspects of the initiative
Resource Highlight
The following are available in the resources:
- Sample readings for mercy topics
- Leadership Responsibility Worksheet for planning a mercy event
- Sample planning timeline for a mercy event
- Ministry-specific mercy suggestions
Which resources have been the most helpful?
Graphics & Promotional Materials (bulletin covers, slides, social media)
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Informational Materials (flyers, bulletin announcements, videos)
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Formation Materials (sample readings, homily notes, questions)
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Planning Materials (guides, timelines, worksheets)
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BOOST PARTICIPATION
Leverage Existing Activities
No need to reinvent the wheel! Here's how to incorporate the Mercy Initiative into your existing activities:
Parish Opportunities:
- Add a Works of Mercy component to your parish festival or picnic
- Transform your coffee and donuts gathering into a "Mercy Morning" once a month
- Invite ministry leaders to identify how their regular activities align with Works of Mercy
- Add mercy reflection questions to your parish council and committee meetings
- Include a "Mercy Moment" during announcements at Mass
School Opportunities:
- Incorporate Works of Mercy into morning announcements
- Add mercy-focused activities to existing field trips
- Transform regular service hours into documented Mercy Challenge hours
- Create classroom door decorating contests featuring Works of Mercy
- Add mercy reflections to morning prayers
MERCY TIP OF THE WEEK
Consider creating a "Mercy of the Month" or "Mercy of the Week" focus to help your community explore different works in depth.
REMINDERS
- Visit www.Mercy2025.org to access all resources
- Download and print the Challenge forms to help participants track completed works
- Contact us at communicate@dosp.org if you need a specific graphic or size, we may be able to accommodate your request.
Unsure about how to participate in the initiative? Need help getting started? Contact, Samantha Frey, planning and research project manager, sfrey@dosp.org.
RESOURCES
The following PDF's provide examples for the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Share materials like these with your community to help explain what the works are and how we can perform them. Many of the examples are things we may already be doing and don't even realize it.
