For Fall 2015, you're on a Mission of Mercy

Pope Francis recently announced an upcoming Holy Year of Mercy to begin in December. Inspired by this, at the beginning of the school year at Sacred Heart of Jesus, our school's principal, Mrs. Engen, organized an activity called "Mercy Walk." This journey's objective was to share in Christ's mission to go forth in mercy to help others. Small groups received a sum of money and had 1 1/2 hours to pray, brainstorm, and carry out their uniquely discerned plan to love and serve others. (As a side note,  among specific rules, it was commanded that "laughing is mandatory and complaining is a crime." Love it!!) The culmination of this journey was sharing pictures and stories with the whole staff. While I'm leaving many details out, the general idea was this....groups were challenged to go forth with love and mercy, given the means and the time to prepare and carry out their plan, and came back with hearts overflowing. Their pictures reflected the joy of completing this mission and their tears proved how deeply their hearts were touched by this exercise.

One staff member described the experience this way:
The mercy walk we went on the week before school started made my heart feel super happy.  We are so blessed to be able to help others in need, whether it is a student in our school or a stranger on the street.  It truly is better to give than to receive!

Well, as it happens to me every single time I'm discerning the next sale, the Salsa Mama in me knew that I HAD to spread this message somehow, someway using the salsa gig as a springboard for a similar type of exercise. Mrs. Engen graciously sent me all of her notes and was so happy to see her idea "paid forward" with the love and mercy of the Salsa Mama community.
The rules are basically the same, ESPECIALLY the aforementioned rules concerning laughing and not complaining!

Here is the Salsa Mama-fied version of the Mercy Walk:
1) Buy salsa like you always do, and if you would like to be considered as a Mission of Mercy family, indicate that on the SignUpGenius when prompted.
2) Wait patiently 'til the charitable funds reach $50. In the meantime, reflect with your family or friends on what you might do with the mercy $$ if you are sent forth.
3) Look for an announcement via email on who the "winner" is. If it's you....you will receive the $50 and have one week to carry out your uniquely planned Mission of Mercy, including sending me pictures and any brief thoughts/reflections you would like to share with the Salsa Mama community.

Simple....profound....exciting!

I'm so very eager for this and can't wait to start sending people forth!!

In joyful anticipation and in gratitude for your support of this effort....

Erin

P.S. I know that some of you simply just love to buy the salsa and you may not be interested in this. Please don't feel obligated and also, please know that you can always participate "anonymously" if you wish. I will always request your wishes for privacy, promise!