Pastoral Visits By a Priest in this Time of Crisis
As Bishop Salvator Matano reminded us in his memorandum of this past Thursday, March 12, 2020, https://catholiccourier.com/sites/default/files/DioceseCoronavirusPrecautions.pdf,
“Those who are sick and desirous of the Sacraments should have recourse to their priests, exercising prudence and charity. “May priests have the courage to get out, going to the sick to bring them the comfort of God, [and] to bring them the Eucharist.” (Pope Francis, Homily from March 10, 2020.)”
Please keep in contact during this crisis with the people in your family and neighborhood who are especially isolated and/or are medically vulnerable. Ask them if they would like a priest to be in touch with them. Let me know that they would like me to contact them, provide me the contact information, and I will make a call and, in consultation with them, their family, and perhaps even their health care providers, determine if an in-person visit is possible. If not, then I can arrange for a family member to bring them communion and help them care spiritually for the individual as well.
Already, nursing homes are restricting visitors except in the case of critically ill residents and those in hospice care. These individuals can have visits from their family. I imagine a request from family for the ministry of a priest would go a long way in allowing me to visit as well.
You can contact me at the parish 671-1100 x16 or at niven@dor.org
What about you?
Do not discount yourself as a minister of pastoral care. Family members are likely candidates to bring Communion to the sick. Friends and family are very able to pray with and give the comfort of faith to one another. You can read them a passage or story from Scripture. You can pray a rosary with them or even an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. You could google “Catholic prayers for the sick” and find many suggestions.
If anybody is seriously ill, they no doubt are already thinking about God and their relationship with Him. A good and substantial way to accompany them through their illness is to offer to pray with them. Praying together is intimate and can be uncomfortable if it is not frequently done. It will take courage, but you are a great source of spiritual care.
Don’t Forget the Everyday Stuff
Please do your best to keep a protective eye out for your neighbors. Stop by, ring their bell, and ask them if they need anything from the store. Give them your phone number. Keep in touch. This is our time to shine, to care, to step up, and to be generous. Commit an act of Mercy!
Share your stories of kindness and generosity that you have been a part of or that you have witnessed on our St. Rita Roman Catholic Church Facebook page.
Follow me, Timothy Niven, on Facebook and follow St. Rita Roman Catholic Church on Facebook
