Have the Conversation – PRIESTS
Sacraments for Seniors
Simple Outline for Visiting Priests
Goals of Visit
- Highlight the problem
- Learn of his experiences over the past year and current Nursing Homes ministry.
- Bring awareness of Sacraments for Seniors.
- Give examples of solutions that have been successful.
- Engage the support to inform parishioners.
- Ask for specific help.
Preparation
- Take someone with you.
- Bring packets with brochure, announcement and bulletin insert
- Have a joyful tone.
Suggestions for what you might say in the conversation.
Introductions. Thank you for meeting with us.
We are advocates for seniors who are in long-term care facilities or nursing homes. Our group is Sacraments for Seniors and we hope that Catholics who live in these nursing facilities are receiving visits from their priests and have regular opportunities for Mass, Communion Services and Reconciliation.
Father, what has your experience of visiting nursing homes been over this past year? And what have you been able to do recently? Are you at this time welcomed into nearby nursing homes and able to have Mass and regularly scheduled Confessions?
This has been an incredibly difficult time for ministry to the elderly—as you are describing. Thank you for doing all you have been doing.
As you say, and your experience shows that this situation has been more than difficult, even deadly, for seniors.
We have found that many people are not aware that some nursing facilities have not yet reopened their doors for clergy visits, for continuing regular Mass and Confession times, even though federal and state guidelines allow and encourage these.
At this time, some nursing homes are still not welcoming priests to say Mass for residents reserving a space for regular confessions
Our group has been meeting with facilities to encourage them to reinstitute these spiritual services especially asking them to make the Sacraments available to their Catholic residents.
We have these beautiful brochures to help raise awareness of this problem.
Right now, we are encouraging parishioners to speak up. We hope that Catholic parishioners will become aware of the problem and be a voice for Seniors who are isolated in care residences.
Could you help us with this Father?
We have some materials that could be easily used to bring awareness to this situation.
Does your parish have a Senior Ministry? If you think anyone in that ministry may want to distribute some of our brochures or may want to know more about Sacraments for Seniors we would be happy to assist.
We are prepared to assist with:
- Brochures or packets for parishes
- More information about the issue
- Assistance to ministries for Seniors in your parish
- Talks to groups who may want to become more involved in this effort.
Follow up with offer to deliver additional brochures and thank you for meeting.