Pastoral Care at St. Patrick's Church, Fallowfield


by Annette Houle We at St. Patrick's Parish Fallowfield are pleased to offer a new service to our parishioners. We have organized a Pastoral Care Team to better serve our parish. Our team consists of 19 energetic parish members working with our parish priests. You may ask yourself, "What is Pastoral Care? What can they do for me?" Perhaps a brief description of who we are and what we can offer will clarify these questions for you. Pastoral Care is the spiritual and emotional support, encouragement, friendship and listening ear provided by lay parishioners who assist our parish priests in meeting the needs of our congregation. Pastoral Care is the ministry of presence, administered in confidentiality, by committed individuals who are motivated by love of their neighbour. The Pastoral Care Team works toward strengthening the spiritual well-being of our congregation by fostering a sense of CHURCH FAMILY, and of fellowship and belonging. The services of our Pastoral Care Team are available to all parishioners of St. Patrick's Parish who feel the need of support and encouragement in times of crisis or celebration. The Pastoral Care Team recently put out a survey, asking our parishioners to identify the areas in which we could best serve our parish. The survey was well-received and now the Team will be coordinating its members to provide these services. From the survey results, we were able to see which areas are in high demand, including: death of parent, spouse, child or friend; temporary or terminal illness; disability of self or family member; grief and stress; job loss or job stress; spiritual direction; and family issues, including postpartum needs (i.e., feeling overwhelmed by a new baby) These are just a few of the issues our team may be of help with, but we would also like to stress that these areas are not limited to the few that we have mentioned. We are open to suggestions in other areas in which we could be of assistance. No matter what you need or how you are feeling, please feel free to contact one of the coordinators to provide help for you. In order to be a part of the Pastoral Care Team, our members have to undergo a ten-week training program to develop both their listening skills and the ability to respond pastorally to those in need. Eight members are presently taking the course, while others have done so previously. In addition, members regularly attend workshops and seminars to continue to grow in understanding and to develop new skills. We also have members scheduled to take the course being offered in the spring of 2002. Perhaps you are interested in joining our team and attending the spring course? If this is the case do not hesitate to contact either Annette Houle or Francie D'Annunzio, who are the Team Co-ordinators, to join our Pastoral Team. Our Pastoral Care Team ministers through telephone calls and personal visits to homes and hospitals. Once contact is made, the Team can make referrals for situations that require additional professional support. As a Pastoral Care Team member we possess the following qualities: an ear to LISTEN, an eye to BEHOLD and a heart to FEEL. Please give us a call so that we may give you the help and encouragement you need, so that you will know you are not alone. The team members consist of Colleen Brennan, John Bryant, Marjorie Cassidy, Marie & John Crowe, Francie D'Annunzio, Ray Gremli, Becci Hayes, Eva Hegmann, Annette Houle, Mark Masson, Kathy McGee, Jacqueline McKenna, Marie Morgan, Micheline Newbury, Faith and Deacon Hugh O'Donnell and Alice Sullivan.

by Annette Houle

We at St. Patrick's Parish Fallowfield are pleased to offer a new service to our parishioners. We have organized a Pastoral Care Team to better serve our parish. Our team consists of 19 energetic parish members working with our parish priests.

You may ask yourself, "What is Pastoral Care? What can they do for me?" Perhaps a brief description of who we are and what we can offer will clarify these questions for you.

Pastoral Care is the spiritual and emotional support, encouragement, friendship and listening ear provided by lay parishioners who assist our parish priests in meeting the needs of our congregation.

Pastoral Care is the ministry of presence, administered in confidentiality, by committed individuals who are motivated by love of their neighbour.

The Pastoral Care Team works toward strengthening the spiritual well-being of our congregation by fostering a sense of CHURCH FAMILY, and of fellowship and belonging.

The services of our Pastoral Care Team are available to all parishioners of St. Patrick's Parish who feel the need of support and encouragement in times of crisis or celebration.

The Pastoral Care Team recently put out a survey, asking our parishioners to identify the areas in which we could best serve our parish. The survey was well-received and now the Team will be coordinating its members to provide these services.

From the survey results, we were able to see which areas are in high demand, including:

death of parent, spouse, child or friend;

temporary or terminal illness;

disability of self or family member;

grief and stress;

job loss or job stress;

spiritual direction; and

family issues, including postpartum needs (i.e., feeling overwhelmed by a new baby)

These are just a few of the issues our team may be of help with, but we would also like to stress that these areas are not limited to the few that we have mentioned. We are open to suggestions in other areas in which we could be of assistance. No matter what you need or how you are feeling, please feel free to contact one of the coordinators to provide help for you.

In order to be a part of the Pastoral Care Team, our members have to undergo a ten-week training program to develop both their listening skills and the ability to respond pastorally to those in need. Eight members are presently taking the course, while others have done so previously. In addition, members regularly attend workshops and seminars to continue to grow in understanding and to develop new skills. We also have members scheduled to take the course being offered in the spring of 2002.

Perhaps you are interested in joining our team and attending the spring course? If this is the case do not hesitate to contact either Annette Houle or Francie D'Annunzio, who are the Team Co-ordinators, to join our Pastoral Team.

Our Pastoral Care Team ministers through telephone calls and personal visits to homes and hospitals. Once contact is made, the Team can make referrals for situations that require additional professional support.

As a Pastoral Care Team member we possess the following qualities: an ear to LISTEN, an eye to BEHOLD and a heart to FEEL. Please give us a call so that we may give you the help and encouragement you need, so that you will know you are not alone.

The team members consist of Colleen Brennan, John Bryant, Marjorie Cassidy, Marie & John Crowe, Francie D'Annunzio, Ray Gremli, Becci Hayes, Eva Hegmann, Annette Houle, Mark Masson, Kathy McGee, Jacqueline McKenna, Marie Morgan, Micheline Newbury, Faith and Deacon Hugh O'Donnell and Alice Sullivan.

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