Praised be Jesus Christ! As you know, our Catholic hospital no longer exists and is now called the Marshfield Medical Center. What you might not know is that we are still bringing Jesus in Holy Communion to the Catholic patients and are grateful for the opportunity to do so. While there is no longer a Tabernacle in the hospital, we have worked out an excellent system for bringing Holy Communion from Saint John’s to those who are sick and in need of Jesus, the Bread of Life. However, and this is where you come in, we’re in need of more Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion so as to continue this remarkable work of charity. If you are already commissioned to distribute Holy Communion, this only requires that you fill out some paperwork as a hospital volunteer and that you receive some basic training from Spiritual Services. If you are not commissioned through the parish, then you would need to contact the parish secretary and have your name added to our list (please do this even if you are already commissioned). We’ll offer training sometime this fall and then you could move on to the next step. Please pray about this and consider serving Christ in our sick brothers and sisters. It would only entail one or two days a month and we have a genuine need. Allow me to quote Saint Teresa of Avila as a source of inspiration: “Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours, yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world, yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.” I hope the Holy Spirit touches your heart to consider this beautiful, life- giving ministry. On a related note, someone passed along an edifying prayer for caregivers. Many of you are living out the 4th Commandment by diligently taking care of your parents or another sick relative. Some of you are nurses in the hospital or at the Clinic or in nursing homes or at assisted living homes. Whatever the scenario, the following prayer is one that might give you greater strength and charity as you treat both body and soul. I hope everyone in the parish will pray this for all of our caregivers – we are proud of you and grateful to God for you! A Caregiver’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me better understand and believe I can do what you ask me to do. Forgive me for the times, even now, when I question your judgment. As I go about the many daily tasks of caregiving, give me energy. As I answer his/her repeated question just one more time, give me patience. As I look for solutions to whatever is the most recent concern, give me wisdom. As I reminisce with him/her about the ‘good old days,’ give me a moment of laughter. As I get to know my loved one in a new way, seeing both his/her strength and frailty, give me joy. As I sit beside my loved one’s bed waiting for his/her pain medication to take effect, give me comfort. Lighten my burden, answer my prayer, and give me the strength to do what so often seems impossible. Give me a quiet place to rest when I need it and a quieting of my anxieties when I’m there. Change my attitude from a tired, frustrated and angry caregiver to the loving and compassionate one I want to be. Remain my constant companion as I face the challenges of caregiving and when my job is through and it’s time for me to let go, help me remember he/she is leaving my loving arms to enter your eternal embrace. Amen,” (Source: Friends of St. John the Caregiver; FSJC.org)
May God bless those who bring Christ to His people!
Your friend in Christ, Father Martin
May God bless those who bring Christ to His people!
Your friend in Christ, Father Martin
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