Ministers Of Care
Purpose of Ministry
During a time of failing health when the need to connect with the faith is at its greatest, people may be too ill to come to Church to receive communion. Ministers of Care are parishioners who bring the Eucharist to patients at Highland Park Hospital, The Brentwood and Whitehall nursing homes and homebound parishioners. Ministers of Care help individuals nurture their spiritual lives when their physical well being is compromised and they need to maintain a connection with their Catholic community.
Skills/Preparation Needed
The training program is coordinated by the Office for Divine Worship and serves as a springboard for beginning the ministry. The two-session course is free of charge and serves to educate new ministers on the practical and spiritual aspects of the ministry. A third session is conducted at Holy Cross to educate new Ministers of Care on the practicalities of the ministry as practiced at our Parish. The full course is required for all new Ministers of Care. Individuals who have been trained at another parish may be waived from participating.
Benefits
This ministry is a unique opportunity to serve others and to witness the faith to those in crisis. Ministers of Care act as an extension of the Eucharistic table, enriching their own experience of the sacrament through witnessing the power of the Eucharist with people in great need of spiritual nourishment.
Commitment Outline
The commitment to Ministry of Care is one year. During the year we meet four evenings for ongoing formation. At the end of each year, you will be asked if you wish to continue the ministry for another year, shift your commitment to another area of the ministry, move to the substitute list or decline to continue. Hospitals
- Time: A typical visit involves several patients (and families) and takes one to two hours
Homebound - Time: Assigned to the same one or two homebound people indefinitely. Day and time is arranged between the minister and the homebound person. A typical visit is 30 minutes.
Nursing Homes - Time: One to two hours every week or every other week · A typical visit includes a community communion service and visits with patients unable to be moved
Substitute list: We frequently need substitutes to serve in all areas of the ministry. If your schedule is particularly unpredictable but you still wish to participate in the ministry, you may elect to serve as a substitute. For more information on volunteering, call Cheryl and Ed Melton at 847-317-0206.
This page was last updated on Tuesday, April 3, 2007.
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