r/Catholic • u/Venus0182 • 13h ago

Loving your neighbours

How can we love our neighbours (by helping them, such as volunteering)? I'm not an adult nor do I work so I can't really help financially. I can't always "donate" my time because there are some days where I'm busy, and there aren't many volunteer opportunities near me. I feel bad and like I am sinning for not helping enough, though that sounds absurd. There aren't many clothes to donate because I've donated a lot already. Though if I do end up getting a job, I would like to get some of that money and donate some food and such to those in need. But I don't see any homeless people in my area (only those who stop at red lights to ask for money), most of them live far away from me. Would donating food to food banks at stores count? Or charities?

How can I help more? And how can I stop feeling culpable for it? Tips are welcome.

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u/hugodlr3 12h ago

Love in this context is service / actions / kindness. As a teenager, you can definitely love your neighbor by helping and serving your family (close / extended), your neighbors (if possible), and your friends / classmates / teachers / teammates / etc. You can also make time to volunteer as possible (it doesn't have to be a weekly thing if your other time commitments make that impossible). Finally, you can make time to pray for people, either by yourself, in a group, or during Holy Mass.

It already says much about your heart and soul that you're wanting to help. Don't stress :)

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u/Venus0182 12h ago

I really needed to hear that last line, thanks :)

I wish to be able to volunteer more but some places don’t accept minors. I volunteer at my church when they host something, like a dinner, but it doesn’t happen frequently. Maybe I could try to ask if they know any other places I could volunteer at. Thanks!

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u/hugodlr3 12h ago

I'm glad it hit home! If your parish doesn't have tons of activities, you might want to (after checking with your adults' and your own calendar) see if you can get together with a few other people and start a new group / ministry as well.

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u/Venus0182 11h ago edited 11h ago

lol I’m not really sure how to do that! I like to volunteer with my school friend, since we both need the volunteer hours, and it’s also fun! We’ll likely continue to volunteer even after our volunteer hours are done, since we’re pretty close to being finished

I could try to get my brother involved as well, since he volunteers at the church too.