The card-making initiative, which took place from 10 a.m. to noon at the parish’s North Campus Auditorium in Seminole Heights, was part of the parish's participation in the Diocese of St. Petersburg's ambitious "1,000,000 Acts of Mercy Challenge" during the Jubilee Year of Hope.

"Our parishioners are dedicated to the parish mission of creating connections with God and each other," said Father Mike Jones, OFM, pastor at Sacred Heart. "The cards and messages crafted by the families who attended this event are examples of the most simple and beautiful ways our parishioners create those connections and serve our community in a positive manner."

Participants of all ages attended. Many families brought additional craft materials such as decorative paper, glue sticks, stickers, glitter, and markers, resulting in a vibrant array of personalized cards.

The initiative aligned with the diocese's focus on performing both corporal and spiritual works of mercy throughout the Jubilee Year. As stated in the diocesan announcement, "The works of mercy are tangible and measurable; no act is too large or too small, especially when done with great love."

The event was organized in part by one of Sacred Heart’s neophytes, Lauren Giordano, recently baptized at the Easter Vigil. Giordano, along with her husband and two children, have delved headfirst into ministry initiatives since becoming parishioners of Sacred Heart in 2024. “As a neophyte, I am eager to find way to bring our parish families together, and to find ways for my whole family to take part in ministry together,” Giordano stated. 

Lauren and her son delivered the cards to the Tampa Vet Center on Monday, June 30, where the local V.A. Outreach Director stated the cards would be hand delivered to several facilities across Hillsborough County in time for Independence Day, bringing messages of appreciation and support to those who have served.

This event represents just one of many ways Sacred Heart parishioners are contributing to the diocesan mercy challenge. Parish event and outreach manager Vicky McCarthy noted, “This challenge represents an opportunity not just for our parishioners to take account of their acts of mercy, but to create new avenues for that mercy to reach different areas of our community.” McCarthy mentioned that the parish has a view to make “Messages of Mercy” a regular semi-annual or quarterly event, corresponding with other holidays and communities that might need an uplifting card or note.

“We’ve had a lot of great success encouraging lay-led outreach ministries within our parish,” Father Jones continued. “Several of the participants at this event also made cards for a parishioner of ours who is in the hospital following a serious accident, letting him know that we are praying for his recovery. That parishioner happens to be one of the ministry leaders for our lay-led parochial homeless outreach, Hands of Hope. We’re so fortunate to have so many within our community focused on helping others.”

The diocese has created a dedicated platform for tracking these acts of mercy at dosp.org/jubilee2025/mercychallenge, allowing participants to see the growing impact of their combined efforts.

As expressed in the Scripture passage highlighted in the initiative materials, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3). Through initiatives like the card-making event, Sacred Heart Parish continues to be an instrument of that hope and mercy in the community.

Those who missed this event but wish to participate in future "Acts of Mercy" initiatives are encouraged to check parish and diocesan bulletins, websites, and emails for upcoming opportunities.

For photos and more information about this event, click here.

For more information about Sacred Heart Catholic Church, click here.