Author Kerry Weber speaks of personal merciful journey at Mount Mercy University

A few years ago, journalist Kerry Weber was sent to California's San Quentin State Prison to write about its religious outreach program.

As she prepared for the trip, Weber, managing editor of the faith-based America magazine, came across a list of the Corporal Works of Mercy.

A set of teachings in the Catholic Church, the Corporal Works of Mercy encourage showing charity to others. One is to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead.

'I thought to myself that they all seemed familiar from my days in Catholic grade school, but that today I'm not really doing many of them,” says Weber, who is a Mercy associate, women and men who discern a call from God to actively engage in a commitment to mercy within a formal relationship with the Sisters of Mercy.

At that same time, Weber had been approached by Loyola Press to write a book that would appeal to young adults.

So in an effort to 'pay more attention” to her charitable and merciful acts in the world, Weber embarked on a self-defined challenge to live out the Corporal Works of Mercy and write about her experiences all while living and working in New York City, amidst the hustle and bustle of the thriving metropolis.

'I wanted to focus on this for the 40 days of Lent and see what would come out of it in my spiritual life,” she said. 'But I wanted to remember that it is a not a checklist, but a calling. This experience would jumpstart my being more merciful in my life.”

Weber's book, 'Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, and Keep Your Day Job” documents her journey and explores - in a very conversational and often honestly humorous way - how her day-to-day life became more merciful in more meaningful and modern ways.

She clothed the naked by donating more than 50 items from her own closet after watching homeless women pick out items from a charity closet.

She handed out water at the New York City half marathon.

She also spent time working soup kitchens and other ministries throughout the city. Chapters read like diary entries. 'In Which I Pull a Sandwich Car with Jesus.” 'In Which I Get Into Prison in California, Twice.” 'In Which I Attempt to Create a Lent-Appropriate Date.”

'I wrote the book as I was going through the experiences,” she said. 'I wanted to make sure I didn't look back with rose colored glasses as I was writing. I wanted to capture what I imagined would be a rollercoaster ride. I wanted the reality of the experience ... what I was feeling right then.”

Today, as Weber continues her own merciful journey, she hopes others reading her book will gain a sense of solidarity from it.

'This book is about the ways I've found support and things I've found helpful in meeting the challenges of being merciful. And I hope people get the sense that they aren't alone to serve others,” she said. 'The Gospel call to serve others is not easy. But we are participating together in this journey of mercy. We all need to keep communicating how best to do it and sharing our experiences.”

Weber will share more from her experiences during her visit to Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. The event will be held at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Mercy at Mount Mercy University. It is free and open to the public.

As for her own journey of mercy, Weber said the book continues to help her grow and learn.

'The community that has formed around it and the support I have felt is very fruitful for me,” she said. 'You know, once you write a book about mercy, you are kind of on the hook for that. And I like that it because it holds me accountable, not just because of the book but because I am reminded of the importance of mercy.”

IF YOU GO

'What

: Kerry Weber reading

'When

: 7 p.m. Wednesday

'Where

: Chapel of Mercy, Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids

'Cost

: Free

'Details

: Mtmercy.edu/weber