Willow Glen Convalescent Home
One of the Nurses Aides at Willow Glen Convalescent Home, wrote a thank you note to the Pastoral Care Ministers for “giving us the spiritual time that blesses our Tuesdays.”
When we come for Mass on the first Wednesday of the month, the aides gather the residents for us in a special room has been set aside, making possible a more reverent atmosphere. As a special benefit during the summer vacation, one volunteer brought along her little children, happily reminding those present that we all belong to the family of St. Martin’s. Without any conscious effort on our part, the Holy Spirit continues to grace our visits to Willow Glen.
White Blossom Convalescent Hospital
Spiritual treasures are enjoyed by the participating residents of White Blossom in many ways.....
Pastoral Care Ministers bring Holy Communion and pray with the residents on the fourth Friday each month and Mass is celebrated on the second Friday of the month. After the prayer service or Mass, they will then use their remaining time for personal visits to bedridden residents. Always, each person brings a loving, compassionate heart, a gentle touch, a warm smile, a listening ear and a brief prayer to these confined people.
Skyline Convalescent Hospital
Masses are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, led by Fr. Truyen and assisted by a group of Pastoral Care Ministers. The ministers also visit the residents and bring communion to those who are Catholic. Skyline is a very large facility, and the residents especially enjoy these individual visits.
Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, as approved by the National Council of Catholic Bishops, also continue to be led by parishioners weekly at Skyline Convalescent Hospital.
A-Grace Sub-Acute Care
A group of Pastoral Care ministers have been visiting the residents of this facility (under its many names and managements) every week for decades. They lead prayer services on Wednesdays, and Mass is offered on the second Wednesday of every month. So many of the residents are unable to receive communion because they are receiving sub-acute care, but the ministers pray with them and bless them with holy water.
The ministers are often touched by the great faith of the residents. One woman, who has a trachea tube, asked for it to be removed by the nurse so that she could receive communion. She could only receive a tiny bit, but it meant so much to her. She said she had been praying to St. Theresa, the Little Flower, before they came, but had thought her prayers were going unanswered. However, when the priest and ministers arrived, she felt very blessed. She asked one of the ministers her name, which was Rose. The experience was truly a grace.
Crestwood Convalescent Hospital
Our Pastoral Care ministers, along with Fr. Chris, celebrate Mass at Crestwood on the second Friday of each month and help care for the spiritual needs of the residents at this special care facility.
In the weeks before Christmas, each resident of this and the other convalescent homes in our parish, receives a Christmas gift from our parishioners through our Giving Trees project. Parishioners select an ornament from our Giving Trees during Advent and purchase the gift item listed on the ornament. They wrap their gifts and bring them back to the church, where Pastoral Care ministers sort them and then deliver them to the homes. The gifts are given to each resident, usually during their Christmas parties.
Thanks to our parishioners and many dedicated Pastoral Care Ministers, each resident receives a present, reflecting the care and compassion of our community through the gift of faith.
Are you called to this ministry?
The preceding articles relate rich experiences as we minister to the sick. You, too, can share in the richness by joining us in this ministry. Pray about it, then call Leslie Plecque, our Pastoral Care Director in the Pastoral Services Office at 289-9617. She will put you in touch with someone assigned to one of our six convalescent hospitals and you can “shadow” the minister(s) to find out if this is indeed a calling.
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