Weekend Wisdom, December 10th, 2023
If you or a family member are homebound or are admitted to the hospital, a nursing home or assisted living, please contact the St. Francis Xavier (920-336-1813) or St. Mary (920-337-2330) Parish Office for a PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY visit. Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-3:00pm.
We offer a friendly and joyful visit from a lay Pastoral Care Minister trained in Pastoral Care Ministry. Pastoral Care Ministers will have had VIRTUS completion and a background check through the Green Bay Diocese. We bring Holy Communion, prayers and companionship.
What is the purpose of Pastoral Care? We follow in Jesus' footsteps as He cared for the sick, the lonely and hurting. We are "servant leaders" - that is, we lead by example of service. As children of God, we are called to love, and by our Baptism, we are called to serve others. Our care ministers are sensitive to the needs of the care receiver and respect their dignity, maintaining healthy boundaries, while listening objectively and compassionately without giving advice. Care ministers are non-judgmental, but present, maintaining confidentiality and trusting God when there is silence.
Visits are made on a schedule that works for the care receiver and your Pastoral Care Minister. The visits can be weekly or bi-weekly, based on the needs of the care receiver.
Brant Bergeron has been a pastoral care minister for the past 2 1/2 years, visiting his care receiver Rita (pictured right) on Wednesday afternoons, with prayer, communion and conversation. "It's a 20-30 minute visit weekly, and it makes her week as much as it makes mine," Brant said. "To know that her parish is bringing her prayer and the Eucharist on a weekly basis is wonderfully comforting for her family. I would encourage more families with loved ones who are homebound or in a care facility to reach out to either parish and schedule regular pastoral care visits," Brant added.
We are open to a one time Advent visit or to schedule regular visits. Please know we are praying for you and would love to visit with you! Happy Advent! May God bless you and your family.
Ellen Moore
Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Evangelization
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." - Isaiah 41:10
