These are the three concepts that best describe a new core ministry that we want to launch here at St. Cecilia’s. That ministry is called Caring Ministry. It’s basically geared towards the senior members of our parish community who for the longest time have served our parish family with their time, talents and
resources. Through the Caring Ministry, we want to create intentional and deliberate ways to help our senior and elderly members in our community with their various needs that are within our capabilities and resources. How do we do that? By having a “navigator” and volunteers, including a database of resources, that would facilitate and direct our seniors for their specific needs. We don’t envision an office of “social services” at the parish, but a ministry of accompaniment where the elderly is taken care of and continues to be integrated to our parish even if they may no longer be physically able to attend Masses.
Some concrete examples: An elderly person who is hard of hearing needs to schedule an appointment with his doctor but can’t do so on the phone because he no longer hears well — the parish can ask a volunteer from our database to make that appointment for him.
A senior, who is living alone, just had surgery and needs some help taking her garbage to the curb — the parish can help out with that by identifying someone from our volunteer database that lives nearby to help her.
An elderly person has a problem with plumbing in her kitchen. She can call the parish, and the “navigator” can suggest to her trusted plumbers to fix the issue. Sometimes going through a phonebook to look for a good plumber takes forever. I don’t even know if phonebooks exist anymore given the digital
advancements.
An elderly person is having some issues with his Medicare — the navigator can help him find the right number to call.
Sometimes, even as simple as extending our help in changing a bulb of a lamp in the living room makes the difference in the world for someone who uses that room on a regular basis.
Specific needs that require professional and medical attention would be directed to the proper channels. The point is: someone from our parish family is ready to accompany the elderly as they navigate their way in seeking resolutions to their needs.
More than recipients of help or assistance, this ministry wants to honor the gifts of our seniors having been graced with lots of experiences and wisdom by asking them how they can continue to make use of and celebrate their gifts. This is the basic logic behind this ministry. I would like to invite EVERYONE, who wants to pitch in their ideas to make this ministry a reality, to an informational and consultation meeting to identify the needs of our seniors on Saturday, November 10th, from 9am to noon. You do NOT have to be a senior to take part in this meeting. In fact, we need volunteers who would be willing to put their names in the “help database.” The only thing that is required to attend this meeting is having a heart of service, compassion and love. Oh, by the way, a light breakfast will be served. I am really excited to launch this ministry in our parish. See you on Saturday! – Fr. Cary