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| We Pray for the sick the old and the housebound | |
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| Topic Started: Friday, 9. February 2007, 21:46 (515 Views) | |
| Rose of York | Friday, 9. February 2007, 21:46 Post #1 |
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Most parishes have the statutory bidding prayer "We pray for the sick, the disabled and housebound". Some add the carers. The prayers end with such phrases as "May they find healing and comfort", or (a little gem, this one) "May God give them strength to bear their afflictions". The support of people who are ill is a subject dear to my heart. I would like to do a little survey, to which I will not contribute for a while. Please will members tell me: 1 What does YOUR parish do for "the sick, the disabled and housebound" and carers? 2 What SHOULD a parish do for "the sick, the disabled and housebound" and carers? |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| PJD | Saturday, 10. February 2007, 13:50 Post #2 |
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In general my parish does what it can. Parishes should in general do what they can. Keep it simple [didn't an American say that?] PJD |
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| Derekap | Saturday, 10. February 2007, 18:03 Post #3 |
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Circumstances are such that I am unable to get involved in parochial activities and as I've only been here two-and-a-half years I'm still learning what goes on. They do have an SVP society so I have to presume they do as much as they can. Certainly, I think such a society could be approached for help shopping, chauffered to church and back or even just a brief visit or outing now and again. They could frequently remind the congregation through the bulletin that they are available for help. In making this comment I am in no way criticising any group of or individual members. I'm sure most members do whatever they can according to circumstances. Incidently the church I attend has a large toilet with handrails, and the church entrance is level with the ground outside and the floor inside. A short drive slopes gently to and from the pavement and there is parking around the church for about 15 cars - more if they block each other in. Opposite is small rail station with a quite large parking area. The building is now an Asian Restaurant but I've never seen the carpark busy with its own customers, but then I'm an early bird. The station is still in use but little patronage. There is a level crossing which can sometimes be a help. When the barriers come down at least drivers can usually get out to go in the opposite direction. Occasionally of course an awkward cuss wants to go t'other way and he/she blocks us in. About a quarter of a mile away are St Aldi's and St. Morrisons - also useful for parking. I nearly forgot, one of the doorkeepers who hands out the Hymn Books and Bulletins, makes discreet signals to the Celebrant or Deacon as to whether he needs to bring Holy Communion to certain people near the back or, as happened, one day, there were no such persons so he signalled that was the situation. I know this because I had to sit near the back during a school Mass on a Holiday of Obligation and on another occasion when the celebrant suddenly paused and turned back, mouthing Thank You. |
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| Rose of York | Tuesday, 13. February 2007, 15:09 Post #4 |
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The topic was a non-starter. May I ask members who are involved in parish activities to bear in mind that there are housebound people who have lost their ability but not their brains. They might appreciate being asked to contribute their time. Suggestions are doing the newsletter, and maintaining rotas for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, readers, flower gentlemen ( :P ) and cleaners. Such tasks will attract telephone calls, some of which will be from old friends. Those responsibilities would relieve loneliness, to some extent. The people who are quite obviously physically disabled, and do attend Mass and functions also have their abilities. "That man in the wheelchair, you know, the one who lives in that special unit for the disabled, don't know his name" might well have useful life experiences. Carers, too, have their skills. We are not all tied down 24 hours of the day. I for one suffered in one parish because when I put my name down for anything, there was no response. Upon enquiring, I got the answer "You have enough to do at home." My response was "He walks, talks, and wipes his own bum. I do have free time." Fortunately the people at the church I not attend have more sense, and do not operate the clique system. To sum up, please ask the housebound, disabled people and carers if they want to do anything for you and the parish. You never know your luck. In our parish we found that our most seriously disabled Mass attender is a well qualified chef. We enjoy his offerings of superbly presented dishes. His carer submits articles about the parish, to the Diocesan and local press. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Rose of York | Sunday, 18. February 2007, 23:23 Post #5 |
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The posting is quoted from the discussion "If I were a Diocesan bishop I would................."
CARLO's idea is the best of the lot. I asked a priest a question: "Father, please do not take this as personal criticism. I know priests are overstretched. Do any priests, nowadays, find time to make pastoral visits parishioners known to be sick or in any need, and their families, from time to time? Answer: "I don't know." My question was not personal criticism, he apparently did not know the question really meant "When are YOU going to find the time". |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Perry | Monday, 19. February 2007, 20:21 Post #6 |
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I am not active in my Parish, and regularly miss Mass too (due to struggles I have with my faith, I am fighting against all my doubts - but that's for another thread) so I don't really know what my parish do. Perhaps I should try to get involved since I am young, and very fit and healthy, and could perhaps do with contributing some of my free time to those who would benefit from it. I'm not much of a people person, and do get a bit shy and awkward around strangers, but I'm sure I could be useful in some capacity. But I would like to give my praise to the Parish Priest of my Grampa's Church on the Isle of Bute. I would not say that he is "housebound" necessarily, but he is in his mid 80s and struggles with mobility. To his immense credit he tries to venture out every day for a short walk with the assistance of wheeled zimmer like frame. But he cannot attend Mass because he simply cannot sit in a pew for any length of time, since he has extremely bad arthritis in his back. The Parish Priest visits him regularly to administer Holy Communion, and is a great source of companionship to him, particularly since the death of my Gran a year ago. As much as he loves having the family visit, I know the companionship of the Priest who is nearer to his age than to ours, means a lot to him. It occurs to me now though, could Churches do more to accomodate the elderly and disabled in order that they CAN attend Mass, ie more comfortable reserved seating? |
| "On my knees, I beg you to turn away from the paths of violence and to return to the ways of peace." Pope John Paul II | |
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| Rose of York | Monday, 19. February 2007, 23:33 Post #7 |
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Perry, the parish priest sounds like a caring man. Has he not thought of getting some upholstered chairs, with arms, which are necessary to help some people lower themselves to a sitting position, and to support themselves self when they wants to stand up? If other people say "The parish can't afford it", there are three answers: 1 They should not be so tight fisted. 2 If your grandfather could go Mass, he would put money in the plate, so they would eventually get their money back. 3 People who sit on hard pews expect the parish to pay for the pews. 4 There is a statutory requirement to provide these chairs, and to conduct a survey to ascertain the number needed, allowing extras for visitors and busy events. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Deacon Robert | Tuesday, 20. February 2007, 19:57 Post #8 |
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There is a program in the US. called Parish nursing. It was started by the Methodists. I have a friend who is a presbyterian pastor who has used it for more than 15 years. He along with my pastor tried to start it in my diocese. There was no interest by our hierarchy (probably because it was not OURS). Funny thing, just last year someone came up with Catholic parish nursing and now there is a big push for it!!!! Here is a website that gives an good idea of what it is about: http://www.parishnursing.umaryland.edu/whatis.asp |
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The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne | |
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| Rose of York | Saturday, 24. March 2007, 17:47 Post #9 |
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Not one reply about asking the sick, disabled or housebound parishioners if there is any way in which they can be contributors, not givers. Sadly one of our parishioners has given up on the Church because whenever he tried to get involved, his efforts were rebuffed on the grounds that he is "not well" and he was deeply hurt when his wife was told "we can't expect you to do anything, you have enough to do." They became totally cut off from the Catholic community, despite their efforts. Nobody could see beyond the sickness. People did not differentiate between terminal, and chronic disease (of a person who was active, though suffering). My point is, sick people and carers often have much to offer. If family help is unavailable, they can get that help from agencies other than the church. With modern instant communications, much can be done from home. As for carers, friends and associated back off, jumping to conclusions they spend 24 hours a day hovering over the bed, waiting for a crisis. Please pray for the man who has left the Church. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Emee | Saturday, 24. March 2007, 20:35 Post #10 |
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Rose I will happily pray for this man. This is terrible news. Even after my Dad had suffered several strokes and couldn't speak very well (and had to give up his beloved role of being a reader) he still happily played a very active role in his parish - and was encouraged to do so by the Parish Priest and others. So he couldn't speak very well. It didn't make him stupid. He happily continued to do the parish books and other things like collecting and working for the SVP etc. You are quite right Rose. No one in such a position should be excluded from parish involvement. I know my Dad thoroughly enjoyed continuing to play an active role in his parish for as long as he was able to. |
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| Angus Toanimo | Saturday, 24. March 2007, 20:54 Post #11 |
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I will do Rose - however, I do believe that the Church he left is in more need of my prayers. |
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| Rose of York | Saturday, 24. March 2007, 21:15 Post #12 |
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In this case the difficulty came about because of a lay person having too much sway, failing to see the dividing line between helping the non resident priest ensure a rural outpost runs smoothly, and decision making, which is the role of the clergy. I knew a man who was born with an incurable condition, which was non fatal but affected his ability to walk. Despite gaining qualifications, he was deemed, by employers, to be unemployable, just because of the physical disabilities. A retiredd engineer designed and made for him some furniture that enabled him to have everything he needed for his leisure within arms reach. A push of the button, and the shelves moved up or down, so he could have computer, books, or radio in just the right position. The little newsheet he started for residents of the complex where he lived, developed into a magazine published nationwide. There are plenty of Catholics unable to attend Mass, who have similar skills, yet we still have clergy running websites and producing Diocesan directories. What a waste of talent. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Em. | Saturday, 31. March 2007, 09:23 Post #13 |
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Rose of York
Nothing, too much trouble. |
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Divine Mercy | |
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| Rose of York | Saturday, 31. March 2007, 11:29 Post #14 |
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Em. if your parish priest bothered getting to know you, he could look at the websites you set up, and give you responsibility for a parish website (if that is what you would want to do). That would lead to telephone contact with other people. They just don't think. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Rose of York | Tuesday, 10. August 2010, 19:43 Post #15 |
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How about this for someone standing out against the label "the old, the sick, the disabled and housebound" as though they are one job lot, incapable of doing a thing for the community?
The lady is living proof that we should put a stop to categorising people as being. by default, in need of our support, but having nothing to offer in return. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100810/tuk-woman-90-locks-herself-to-railing-6323e80.html |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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7:54 PM Jul 11