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A Holy Rebellion: Works of Mercy in OKCEvery Third Sunday, we engage in small acts of holy rebellion.
In a culture too often shaped by greed and indifference to human dignity, the Saint Bénézet Catholic Worker Community chooses a different path: the ancient and radical path of the Works of Mercy.
These works, drawn from Christian Scripture — especially the twenty-fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew — are our blueprint for action. They remind us that to love our neighbor is to care for all their needs. The Works of Mercy are two traditional sets of actions by which we aid those around us in their bodily and spiritual needs.
· The Spiritual Works of Mercy call us to nourish the soul: instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful, admonishing sinners, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving offenses, comforting the afflicted, and praying for the living and the dead.
· The Corporal Works of Mercy call us to meet physical needs: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead.
We believe that these two types of mercy must always go hand in hand. Just as the story of Jesus reveals his nature as fully human and fully divine, so too are our own spiritual and material realities deeply intertwined.
Saint Bénézet Catholic Worker Community walks in the footsteps of Servant of God Dorothy Day and her co-conspirator Peter Maurin, who founded the Catholic Worker movement; Oklahoma City’s little-brother-in-Christ Bob Waldrop; and the great cloud of Saints whose examples sustain us in the struggle.
Our community calls for believers, agnostics, and atheists alike to look for holiness in bread lines and picket lines, to seek the Divine in the face of those who suffer, and to foster a spirit of solidarity and service.
Dorothy Day taught that we all experience “the long loneliness,” and that “the answer is community.”
Here in Oklahoma City, we are building that community — and we invite you to join us!
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On Third Sundays, we gather at Church of the Redeemer at 2100 Martin Luther King Ave, Oklahoma City. Founded as Saint Paul’s Colored Mission in 1902, Redeemer has served the people of Eastside OKC for over 120 years.
· Service: We begin with Mass celebrated by Father Lance Schmitz at 9:59 AM. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Communion, and everyone, regardless of belief, is welcome to come forward for a blessing.
· Community & Meal: After the service, we move to Redeemer’s Fellowship Hall for a potluck meal around 11:11 AM. Please bring a dish to share! This is the heart of our time together — a chance to break bread, share stories, and learn about the struggles and hopes within our community.
· The Works of Mercy Barber Shop: Across the street, at the Charles Atkins Opportunity Gardens (1917 NE 20th), Malachi & Elizabeth operate Redeemer’s Works of Mercy Barber Shop. This is a tangible act of service, offering free haircuts with dignity and respect. Dr. Charles Atkins, whom building honors, was groundbreaking as a community organizer, the first city council member of color, as well as a member of historic Church of the Redeemer — a true example of service in action.
We believe we can build relationships of trust among people and institutions across the racial, denominational, socio-economic, and geographic boundaries that divide our city. By coming together, we strengthen our congregations and our community, developing the voice and power needed to transform the decisions that affect our lives.
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We Need Your Help!
This work is only possible together. Here’s how you can be part of this holy rebellion:
· Join us in person. Your presence, your story, and your hands are the most important gifts you can bring.
· Bring a dish to share for our potluck meal.
· Make a financial donation to help us expand our mission.
· Donate non-perishable food items for our pantry.
Come experience how simple acts of love and solidarity can nourish both body and spirit.
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Works of Mercy— Third Sunday of Every Month
· 9:59 AM | Mass at Church of the Redeemer (2100 N. Martin Luther King Ave.)
· 11:11 AM | Potluck Fellowship in Redeemer’s Fellowship Hall
· 11:14 AM - 1:34 PM | Solidarity Salon (Barber Shop) at Charles N. Atkins Opportunities Gardens (1917 NE 20th St.) First come, first served. Residents prioritized.
#CatholicWorker #WorksOfMercy #ChurchoftheRedeemer #SaintBenezet #OKC #HolyRebellion
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Church of the Redeemer - OKC, 2100 Martin Luther King Ave. ,Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
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