Helping Others: The CatholicFIT Pillar of Service

The Justice League of Superheroes lead by Superman. There was a lot of discussion about the biblical themes throughout 2014’s Man of Steel movie.

1. What does it mean to be Catholic?
2. What does it meant to be fit?

Let’s look at the first question. The Catholic church exists in part to help us become saints. Catholics are people who are at least learning about what it means to be a saint. Catholics are always students first, learning about God. As we covered with the CatholicFIT Principle of Education.

The mission of the Church, as given to us by Jesus in Matthew 28:19 is: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Catholics are disciples who are commissioned with making more disciples. Disciples are simply students, who once they learn something, can share it with others.

To be Catholic means to help others learn more about God through our words and action. We hope people learn about who God is through the way we act. That is the focus of the 8th CatholicFIT Principle: Helping Others, or Working for Justice. Saints are people who have lived, died and served in the name of justice.

The Catholic Church is our Justice League

I imagine when Superman vs Batman opens in 2016, your current 6th graders will know all about the Justice League. If you are around 40 and male, hopefully you are well aware that it is the team of “Super Friends” including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and others. And it is awesome. They are superheroes, and they work for justice.

Am I a superhero? Probably not. (I say “probably” because I never want to rule that one out.) But speaking of super things, the Catholic Church is my supernatural family, and I find that pretty cool, if not, super cool. As a part of this family, we aren’t necessarily called to be super heroes, though we are in fact, called to be saints.

Were you aware of this? Are your kids aware of this? We are all called to be saints, not just good people, but actual saints. Whoa.

Here is an interesting side note … I recently heard a talk about whether or not some of the saints that lived thousands of years ago would have become saints if iPhones, Game Boys and Xbox existed back then. This is may be something all of us, as parents and guardians, should consider as more and more ten-year-olds are walking around with their very own iPhones.

But I digress … so what do we do, and what do we teach our children about becoming a super cool saint? Also, if your child asks you what it means to be Catholic, here is a good place to start. Catholics and saints are people who know that all people everywhere are part of their supernatural family, and they regularly search out and practice ways to pay it forward.

When we help others with similar challenges we were previously facing, is one of the best ways to stay motivated wih your fitness routine and focused on living a Christian life. Another way to do or describe this is this CatholicFIT Pillar – Helping Others (Service). The Catholic Church is like our very own Justice League. And it is awesome. Justice is a virtue. Check out this line from the Catholic Catechism: 1803 A virtue is a habitual disposition to do good. It allows (us) not only to perform good acts, but to give (our best). The virtuous person … pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions. 1807 Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and … promote equity with regard to persons and to the common good.

In a pastoral letter on Christian Stewardship, the U.S. Bishops state:

CatholicFIT and Stewardship

In this program, over the last eight weeks, we have talked about expressing our gifts, then being mindful and nurturing our gifts through education. Now, this week, we focus on using our gifts, aka our time, talents and treasure to work for personal, social, economic and religious justice. This is what Christian Stewardship is all about. We have a lot of work to do out there … I believe the healthier and more fit we are, the more we just may be able to serve.

It Starts in the Home

When I look at my wife Tara and consider my health, I think, “I will take care of me for you, and hope that you will take care of you for me.” That is part of what our marriage is all about. If we can take care of each other, and in turn take care of our natural family, I believe we can better serve our supernatural family. As a Catholic dad, being a saint will always be my goal … though the strength this will require begins with first being a superhero for my kiddos.

Try any of these during the week and journal or talk to your teachers, spouse and parents about how each felt to you:

1. Help someone with their homework after you have finished.
2. Show a teammate how to play a sport you have practiced.
3. Lend someone enough money to buy a milk or snack during school lunch.
4. Check in your church bulletin or call your parish office about what ministries are looking for help, or where you feel you can contribute with your gifts – Men’s Club, St. Vincent DePaul Society, the choir, teaching PSR, homeroom parent, coaching little league, sitting on the finance committee, lectoring, helping out with this summer’s picnic and carnival?

*There are so many ways to serve and serving often requires extra strength and energy – so not only will these opportunities allow you to pay it forward, but may also provide motivation for getting into and/or staying healthy and fit for life. If that isn’t CatholicFIT, I don’t know what is.