Today is the feast of St. Peter Claver. Not many people know much about him, but they should. I want to give just a brief description of what he was like, and I hope it will inspire you to follow his example. He was a Jesuit (before they went off the rails!). He went to South America to help care for the African slaves that were being sold there. He would minister to their physical needs, catechize them, and then give them the sacraments. It is believed that through his work over three hundred thousand converts entered the Church (!). Then he kept track of them when they were sold, and continually encouraged them to live as good faithful Catholics.
Some might say he should have worked to end the slave trade. They might be correct in part, but they miss the bigger point. We might (or might not) be able to make big changes in the sinfulness of this world, but we can always work to lead people to Christ (which is one of the biggest changes we can make in this world!) and offer them whatever comfort we are able to offer. Our modern emphasis on social ills, can sometimes make us believe (contrary to Scripture!) that physical pains are worse than spiritual ones. St. Peter Claver, clearly believed that the most important thing for these suffering souls was their eternal salvation, and he helped them find that. Do we have the same priorities?