[Desdemona]

Almsgiving is mentioned in today's Gospel on Ash Wednesday. The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are indicative of Lenten almsgiving (service)

Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy really should be year round. It's stressed during Lent and at Thanksgiving - Christmas, but the poor are always with us and always need help. We have a huge network of St. Vincent de Paul here that does sort of work. Any contribution is helpful.

[Salvation]

We do stress them during Lent, but you are right, we need to concentrate on the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy all year!