HUMAN CONCERNS COMMISSION

HC-1 Social Concerns Ministry
HC-2 Twinning Parishes Ministry
HC-3 Nursing Homes Ministry
HC-4 Bereavement Ministry
HC-5 Ministry of Care to Sick and Homebound
HC-6 Racial & Ethnic Sensitivity Ministry
HC-7 Peace & Justice Ministry
HC-8 Respect Life Ministry

HC-5
Ministry Profile
 
MINISTRY OF CARE TO SICK & HOMEBOUND
 
 
 
I. MISSION STATEMENT (brief statement of purpose)
 
The MISSION of the MINISTRY OF CARE is to make faith-visits to parishioners who are sick, homebound or elderly in order to bring them comfort and sacramental graces by sharing with them God’s Word and Holy Communion.
 
II. GOAL (“end-product” …desired outcome for those to whom ministry is directed)
 
The GOAL of the MINISTRY OF CARE is for the sick, elderly and homebound to experience in their own setting the mystery of Christ in a threefold way: in the person of the minister, in the words of scripture and in Holy Communion.
 
III. OBJECTIVES (corollaries, strategies, priorities flowing from mission and goal)
1. To establish a coordinating team to provide for a system of leadership succession, representation on the commission, and implementation of mission and objectives.
2. To publicize this ministry and to make it available, whether on a short-term basis or long term.
3. To encourage more parishioners to be ministers of care and to take the formal training for this ministry.
4. To strive consciously to see Christ in the homebound and to be as Christ to them.
5. To establish a spiritual connectedness and holy relation- ship with the homebound or ill.
6. To deepen ones love for Holy Scripture, become familiar and at ease in sharing it with the homebound and ill.
7. To enkindle a deep personal love for the Eucharist and a passion to share it with others.
8. To follow the liturgical ritual established by the Church for the ministry of care.
 
IV. SERVICES (programs, actions, projects)
1. Maintain a list of trained (mandated) ministers of care who are available to visit homebound parishioners.
2. Receive information from parish staff regarding requests for a minister of care visit, with name, address, phone and family contact person representing the homebound individual.
3. Contact ministers and assure that they are available and will schedule a mutually agreed time to call on the homebound person.
4. Follow the agreed upon schedule in conducting the visits.
5. Visiting: Develop a relationship and pay close attention to “listening to their needs and appeals.”
6. Visiting: Spend time discussing what is going on in the parish and listening to their interests.
7. Using the ritual of prayer as provided in the Handbook: Liturgical Aspects of Ministry of Care to the Sick.
8. Scripture: Taking care and reverence, so that God’s Word becomes a special grace moment for the homebound.
9. Holy Communion: Making it a sacred moment and providing quiet time for personal prayer.
10. At Easter and Christmas purchase and deliver to the homebound small potted plants.