Saint Anthony’s Bread Apostolate

What’s It All About? It’s all about the Works of Mercy and they are the basis for the Apostolate! Let us start with what Jesus said: Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.'“ Works of mercy is the willingness to help anyone in time of need especially through pardon or reconciliation. It is a habitual preference of the human will. Mercy differs from compassion, for it is putting our kind disposition into practice through our readiness to assist another child of the Creator. There are seven practices of charity toward our neighbor, based on Christ's prophecy of the Last Judgment that will determine each person's final destiny: Feed the hungry ~ Give drink to the thirsty ~ Clothe the naked ~ Shelter the homeless ~ Visit the sick ~ Visit those in prison ~ Bury the dead

What is the Mission of Saint Anthony’s Bread Apostolate? The Pilgrims of St. Anthony are people in shared harmony, celebrating God's love personified in St. Anthony of Padua. They include the people of God and all those who live and promote the values of spiritual wholeness and healing; sound evangelization and catechesis; and Christian charity, living the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Convert the Sinner: Of course, the Holy Spirit actually does the converting, but we participate by pointing those we know toward God. Instruct the Ignorant: This assumes that we are not ignorant. It puts the burden of learning on us, so we can instruct those who have misconceptions about God. Counsel the Doubtful: Love of others starts with concern for their souls. By helping others have faith, we increase our faith. Comfort the Sorrowful: In a fallen world, there is much sorrow. By taking the time to comfort those who grieve and suffer, we help them to see God in the world. Bear Wrongs Patiently: This is perhaps the toughest issue for most of us, but it goes directly to Christ. "Turn the other cheek." Forgive Injuries: Not only must we bear wrongs and injuries we must forgive those who inflict them on us. True forgiveness requires work on our own soul and a solid love of God. Pray for the Living and the Dead: This is an easier work and requires just time. Take a minute in your daily prayer to pray for those who have died and those who struggle for God (or don't)! We should all be doing this anyway. The goal is to develop the Spiritual Works of Mercy into habit, a way of life that animates every act and every contact with others. If you are a parent, you start with a captive audience ready for instruction, counsel, and comfort. But even so, we must be open to God's Will. If we have an opportunity to help others, the Spiritual Works of Mercy are likely involved.

Just what to you do at Saint Anthony’s Bread Apostolate ~ Feed the hungry in emergency situations and through our private Food Pantry. ~ Allow for emergency assistance to children, through the Child Protective Services of Schenectady County, contributing to the "good and welfare" of God's helpless, little ones. We do this with clothing, food, educational needs such as supplies, and more… The caseworker will tell us what is needed. ~ Catechizing through: Adult Education Programs, Training Seminars, Retreats, Training of persons in service to the Altar of Christ through the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, both youth and adult. ~ Adult Bible Study, Days of Reflection, Prayer and Worship Services for the Edification of the People of God. ~ Working the “streets of Schenectady County” as Pilgrims of Saint Anthony, assuring those in need of guidance, by offering direction toward public services, family support matters, and children’s needs, by directing the people of God toward the “HOW TO” approach of self-reliance and self-assurance.

How do we attempt to accomplish our goals? WE ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS THROUGH OUR: Love for the Lord in the Eucharist. Willingness to learn Holy Scripture Reconciliation and penance which is a way of life for each Pilgrim. Communal and the blessed Solitude of Prayer. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and Invoking Saint Michael the Archangel as our Protector. Being "Brother and Sister" to all of God's Creation by living the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy directed to us by Jesus himself.