Showing kindness to others is a way to follow Jesus' command to love our neighbors.

 

The Kindness Matters campaign encourages people to step up and be better neighbors to one another.  If each one of us makes a concerted effort to be kinder and show more love to one another a tidal wave of benevolence will fill our homes, neighborhoods, parishes, and towns. 
This initiative will gain momentum one person at a time and one small act of kindness at a time. 
It starts with you and me. 

WHY DOES KINDNESS MATTER? 
As Christians, we are told to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. 
Jesus clearly summarizes and affirms this declaration by stating,
“There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31). 

Acts of kindness can be natural building blocks to being less selfish and increasing our awareness of the needs of others. 

 

Kindness is:

• Assisting and showing concern for others
• Being generous
• Being considerate
• Listening
• Loving your neighbor
• Sharing your time
• Helping others

And doing these things without expecting praise or reward in return

 

How do we show more kindness?

• Focus on others
• Increased awareness of our surroundings
• Offer a helping hand
• Be there to listen
• Send notes, cards, texts, e-mails, and care packages
• Stay connected
• Make only positive social media posts
• Show that you care in both words and deeds
• Smile at others
• Offer a positve or encouraging word
• Compliment others
• Pray with and for others and their intentions
• Volunteer and encourage volunteering: Teach children while they are young the importance of volunteering. Let your children witness you volunteering in your community and experience the joy of helping others.
   

Kindness in Action

• Family Promise

  • Family Promise of the Capital Region engages the community in support of families facing homelessness, providing temporary shelter, wraparound services, and the guidance they need to build a brighter future. Currently six parishes in our diocese are host congregations. Six others are supporting congregations. Click here to learn more about this ministry.

• Walking with Moms in Need

  • Walking with Moms in Need is a nationwide, parish-based initiative to increase support for pregnant and parenting mothers in need. It works to ensure that any woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, or parenting in difficult circumstances, can turn to her local Catholic Church and be connected with the resources she needs. Volunteers walk with moms throughout the motherhood journey, offering them authentic Christian friendship and ongoing support. Below are some of the programs available now in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. More are on the way.
  • Gabriel Project: The Gabriel Project is a confidential and compassionate outreach for women who are distressed over an unplanned pregnancy and relies on local Catholic parish communities to respond in a loving manner to the needs of the mother-to-be, witnessing to the infinite and healing love of God. This ministry is currently available through five parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany: St. Pius X, Loudonville; Sacred Heart, Stamford; Our Lady of Hope, Fort Plain; Our Lady of Hope, Copake Falls; Holy Trinity (St. Mary’s), Hudson. Hotline Number: (833) 227-3273
  • Gianna of Albany: Gianna of Albany is delighted to offer a unique, exciting approach to women’s health and wellness.
  • St. Peter's MOMs Program: The MOMs Program will guide you through your pregnancy and delivery so that you have a healthy baby. There is no cost for the MOMs services. Click here for brochure

Kindness Opportunities

Matthew 25: 40
"Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." 
We are His hands and feet in the world today. 
CLICK HERE to find opportunities to be Christ in our communities.

Kindness is powerful and can change the world

Luke 6: 35 - 36: But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

 

Kindness is contagious! Go out and love others the way you would like to be loved. Go out and be kind to everyone you encounter. Why? Because kindness matters.

 

Kindness Quotes

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” - Aesop

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

“Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud” - Maya Angelou

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” - Morgan Freeman

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” - Barbara De Angelis

"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” - Seneca

When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.” - Abraham Joshua Heschel

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Questions to Reflect on Kindness

 

• When you think of what kindness means to you, what words or actions come to mind?
• What was the last act of kindness that you saw? How did it make you feel?
• What was the last act of kindness that you received? How did it make you feel?
• Now, can you think of the last act of kindness you completed? How were you kind to someone else? How did it make you feel? 
• What would happen if you committed to performing at least one act of kindness every day?

Source: https://inspirekindness.com/blog/kindness-101

So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

 

For more information or specific questions, please e-mail: Kindness@RCDA.org