At Catholic Social Services, our team selects an annual theme to guide our year. This theme informs our day-to-day decisions and particularly how we respond to the signs of our time, in support for those whom we are called to serve. For 2025, it was “Serving with Purpose” as a response to be pilgrims of hope during the Jubilee year. For 2026, we selected “Faith in Action” as a response to the call for a visible witness of faith in a challenging time. So how do we live our faith in action today, as Catholics, as Christians, and as neighbors?
Love for love
As a community of faith, we are blessed to have a rich tradition of those who came before us. Our great saints lived their lives often during difficult times as well, and they teach us how to respond with faith in action regardless of the circumstances. One such witness was from a young woman who lived at the turn of the 20th century, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. St. Elizabeth was a French Discalced Carmelite nun and spiritual writer. She died in 1906 at the age of 26 after battling a rare kidney disease, was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in 1984, and canonized by Pope Francis in 2016. She wrote, “We have come to know and believe in the love God has for us. That is our great act of faith, the way to repay our God, love for love.” She understood that our act of faith through love was a sign of gratitude to God for the love and mercy afforded us. We repay in kind … love for love. Each time we express care and concern for another, we are sharing our faith as an expression of love.
For and with each other
To find inspiration for living our faith in action, we only have to look around us. For every person in struggle, you will likely discover someone with a hopeful outlook. It is these encouraging people that keep us looking forward. Last month, I visited one of our senior residences where over 100 people live. That evening was game night, and a volunteer family was hosting bingo! The husband found us through his employer, realizing that he had a Catholic resource at his disposal to introduce the value of service to his children. Dad, mom and four kids worked together to call bingo for a group of about 60 residents. The kids worked the room, helping older residents identify the number that Dad shouted out while Mom ensured prizes were claimed. Each “BINGO!” resulted in a roar of applause and laughter as a prize was claimed. The treasure was not in the prize, it was in the celebration of community. We are called to be there for and with each other in good times and bad. Showing up is the treasure that supports each other forward to better things.
Pray on it
If we are called to repay love with love, and we know that faith in action is a concrete way to have a public witness, where can you begin? You may be in a position to literally show up and serve a neighbor in need … do that. Perhaps it is clearing snow for an elderly neighbor or taking groceries to a parishioner recovering from illness … do that. Others can give of time and resources through an employer or school by hosting a food drive … do that too. Perhaps you have not found that right opportunity that matches your abilities and time. Until then, we can all “pray on it!” Taking the needs of others to prayer is a powerful way of sharing your witness through intercession. Let people know that you are praying for them, and when asked for prayer consider praying on the spot! When others witness prayer in public, it is faith in action, and reminds the world that our hope is in the One who gives life and meaning.
If you are looking for a place to put your faith in action during 2026, consider serving with Catholic Social Services. Our volunteers come from many walks of life, yet they have a shared purpose … to serve as neighbors.
Learn more about getting involved with Catholic Social Services at www.serveasneighbors.org.
Kelley Henderson is a Third Order Carmelite who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Social Services. He is a member of Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral and serves in volunteer leadership roles with Catholic Charities USA, Inter-Provincial Lay Carmelite Commission, and Mission and Culture Committee at Mount Carmel Health System.
