Parish Challenges Congregation to 800 Acts of Kindness
Story by Shelley Wolf
It seems as if there is no end to the many thoughtful, personal acts of kindness being performed by the parishioners of St. Junípero Serra Parish in South Windsor. Two tiny Christmas trees located inside St. Francis of Assisi Church and St. Margaret Mary Church are a testament to their kindness.
Each tree is coated with paper tags that contain handwritten notes, detailing individual good deeds manifested by local Catholics. And most of the tag-writers are choosing to remain anonymous.
“Every week, I take the tags off the trees,” says Roseann Williams, a member of the parish’s Committee for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, which organized the challenge. It’s Williams’ job to collect the tags from both churches to keep count. “We’re hoping it becomes a way of life.”
From acts of old-fashioned courtesy to prayer for others to charitable contributions, these virtuous actions are part of the “800 Acts of Kindness,” a campaign for kindness kicked off by the parish in early 2026 as part of the Jubilee Year of St. Francis.
Back in 2025, the parish formed the committee to come up with ways to celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, which runs from Jan.10, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027. Declared by the Vatican, the Jubilee Year is being observed by Catholics all over the world.
“We asked what activities we could do and how we could work as a pilgrim parish,” says Paulann Marianella, another committee member. “We wanted to get people engaged and involved.”
Joe Coray, a parishioner and teacher, proposed the “800 Acts of Kindness.” Tags are made available to parishioners in baskets in the sanctuary, where a small poster offers some helpful hints to get people started: hold a door, prepare a meal, pick up litter.
After an act is performed, it can then be recorded on a tag and affixed to a tree by individual parishioners.
A closer look at the completed tags on the trees reveals moments of uncommon generosity. One handwritten tag reads, “Gave donation for those affected by the earthquake in Colombia.” Another reads, “Helped a woman pay for her groceries when she didn’t have enough money.”
Still other tags mention bringing good cheer and actively assisting others: “Visited a sick friend,” and “Helped person in a wheelchair get out of a jammed situation.”
Additional tags tell of providing roadside assistance to a stranger and watering the flowers on the altar for all to enjoy.
By the end of the summer, parishioners had already surpassed their collective goal of 800 acts. Organizers predicted even more acts of kindness will be performed throughout the fall as students returned to faith formation classes. They say the final count won’t be known and released until Jan. 10, 2027, at the conclusion of the Jubilee Year.
Why the focus on kindness? “Kindness – there’s not enough of it,” says Doreen Blondin, another committee member. “You can’t change your world, but you can change your little circle.”
Referring to the inspiring quotes about kindness printed on the front side of the tags, Marianella says, “That’s what the quotes on the front side of the cards speak to. Even if it’s just a smile to brighten other people’s day. We’re modeling on St. Francis and all his good works and teachings.”
Williams insists, “Kindness is the backbone of Christianity. We’re being Christlike. The way I look at it, kindness leads to love.”