Are we as Catholics doing enough for

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WilT

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Emotionally and physically disabled or challenged? The elderly shut ins? Widows and divorcees? The homeless and marginalized?

I see so very few physically challenged adults or children in Mass times so where are they? Shut in obviously don’t make it to Mass. I hear and see very little addressed to the Widowed and the Divorcee. The homeless and marginalized rarely seen.
Are they being considered at your parishes? Share with us how these baptized Catholics are being addressed by our Church and by us the layperson. How can we make our parish more acceptable and compassionate to those mentioned? What can we do ourselves to participate on those who fallen through the Catholic cracks. I’m anxious to hear about your response.
 
My parish has a ministry to the elderly and homebound. And they give communion to Catholic hospital patients.
 
Good question. I think I can safely say the Anglican Use in my diocese is one of the most vibrant in Omaha.

We’ve had two men (one of whom passed on recently, God rest his soul) who are chronically homeless. Father always makes an effort to help the homeless, get them in contact with social services, get them housing or at least other things they need (medicine, needles for diabetics, transportation, etc). We’ve regularly had a few homeless chaps come to Mass, and even stay after for tea. Father was once a social worker, if I recall correctly, and a therapist. So he has connections.

Father also takes care of parishioners who are elderly and who have problems; I think this is more because he and his parishioners are all very tightly connected. You kind of become that way at this parish. You make friends, and they become like a second family. But no one is turned away from St. Barnabas, not from what I’ve seen. We have all sorts there.

On another hand: my home parish, St. Thomas More, does have disabled people come in regularly. I’ve seen a couple of families. And Father does come up to the elderly who are too weak to walk to him for communion at Mass.

Restoring that sense of communion to a parish - that we are a family, looking out for each other, sharing ideas and food, helping when we are able - might go a long way to the ends you are trying to realise. How does that happen? I think it does take at least a few strong, resourceful people, who know what to do and how to do it. Who knows? Maybe you’re being called to become a renaissance man. Maybe I am. I do know we owe a lot to them.
 
WilT said:
Emotionally and physically disabled or challenged? The elderly shut ins? Widows and divorcees? The homeless and marginalized?

I see so very few physically challenged adults or children in Mass times so where are they? Shut in obviously don’t make it to Mass. I hear and see very little addressed to the Widowed and the Divorcee. The homeless and marginalized rarely seen.
Are they being considered at your parishes? Share with us how these baptized Catholics are being addressed by our Church and by us the layperson. How can we make our parish more acceptable and compassionate to those mentioned? What can we do ourselves to participate on those who fallen through the Catholic cracks. I’m anxious to hear about your response.
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One church I went to in the US had a ministry for the homebound. One could go and pray with, and for, them, call them, talk to them, visit with them. They were always looking for volunteers. Also, of course, there are Eucharist Ministers who bring communion.

As to divorced folks, not sure. I am divorced, and I knew others who were, and I felt the church was fine with us.

With widowers, I haven´t seen as much with that, though there might be something there.

With homelessness, some churches have soup kitchens, shelters.

One doesn´t need to necessarily reinvent the wheel. Normally, these services already exist, as well as prison ministry, ministry to people with AIDS, and more. It’s just a question of signing up, if you are interested.
 
Homeless, for example, is often tied to mental illness, drug/alcohol addiction, especially, and the deinstitutionalization movement. Sometimes, we would like these people off the streets, but legally, we can´t force them, even if they are mentally ill, to go anywhere.
 
In the manner,that we can always improve and better ourselves(with God’s Help and our cooperation),we can always do more to help others(with God’s Grace and Will).

larcheusa.org
 
In my Parish we offer the following ministries to those in need:

Bereavement Group - run by Certified Councilor.
Caregivers Support Group - for those who care for elderly, handicapped, etc family members.
Senior Leisure Group - provides social group activities & outings for seniors.
Visitation Ministry - visits the homebound for socializations, activities, etc.
Homecare Services - offers light housekeeping, shopping, etc. for homebound/handicapped.
Divorced/Separated Support Group - provides spiritual & resource services.
Parish Food Pantry - provides for Parishioner/Non-Parishioners in need.

Our EMHC bring Communion to our homebound/hospitalized Parishioners as well as those in Nursing Homes.

We also provide transportation for elderly/handicapped Parishioners.

We also provide RCIA/CCD for those who are handicapped & of special needs.
 
Here is a program to assist Separated, Divorced and Widowed persons … though ecumenical in practice it was started by a Catholic Nun and a Catholic Layperson in north Texas in 1973 …A lay led ministry by peers - those who have suffered the same loss - this program now operates in nine countries on three continents - throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Great Britain and Ireland.

beginningexperience.org/php5/

As a person who suffered the loss of my spouse I can tell you that this ministry is not only needed but is life changing. If you know someone who has lost a loved one - encourage them to find a Beginning Experience Team in their area - the have weekly Coping with Life Alone sessions, Continued Beginnings, Rebuilding, Loving Choices, Couple Communications in addition to the Retreat Weekend. They offer scholarships for those who need assistance covering the cost of attendance … We are there to help others heal as we were helped.

A friend who had gone through the Retreat Weekend encouraged me to go - it took me two years to make that leap - I am glad I did - but more importantly- the people around me noticed an immediate improvement. My financial planner was so amazed that she invited the BE Team to speak about the program at a seminar - and has started encouraging her clients in transition due to the loss of a spouse to consider going.

WilT - I notice you start lots of threads asking and or implying that Catholics do not “do” enough for the poor and homeless, and now the disabled, widowed, shut ins, etc … and you even imply that others [Protestants from another thread] are so much better at living their Christian vocation … It seems you have a real beef with Catholics … yet supposedly you are a Catholic.

WilT - what are you doing to help the poor, the homeless, the widowed, the divorced?

Everyday in the United States the Catholic Church [through its people and institutions] provides more medical care, feeds more people, provides more shelter to homeless people, educates more students, offers assistance to pregnant mothers, job skill training and a host of other social goods than any other institution on earth. All of this is accomplished by about 20% - 20% volunteering and 20% providing financial support - with about 80% overlap between the two groups.

I am not ashamed of all that our Church does - I am proud of all that the Church does in the service of Christ - living the Gospel and our Christian vocation to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, give drink to the thirsty and care for those in need.

Can we do more? Yes - How? By having more and more Catholics stop complaining about what we are not doing roll up their sleeves and get their own hands busy and by opening their wallets to provide financial support. If you see a need that needs fulfilled - that is our Lord calling you to make a difference … brainstorm a solution, put that solution into practice.

So WilT - I’ll ask you again - What are you doing to help the poor, the homeless, the widowed, the divorced? Many here have told you what they do, their parishes do, their diocese … you don’t say what you do … besides point fingers at the Church …

You and I are the Catholic Church WilT - tonight - for New Years - I will be spending my time in a homeless shelter - not romantic, not exciting - its lights out at 10:00 PM and on again at 6:00 AM … The 4th year now that there will be no New Years kiss and no toasts with my spouse - This Catholic could be home with family or out with friends instead - I choose to do this …

WilT - Where will you be?
 
YADA said:
beginningexperience.org/php5/

As a person who suffered the loss of my spouse I can tell you that this ministry is not only needed but is life changing. If you know someone who has lost a loved one - encourage them to find a Beginning Experience Team in their area - the have weekly Coping with Life Alone sessions, Continued Beginnings, Rebuilding, Loving Choices, Couple Communications in addition to the Retreat Weekend. They offer scholarships for those who need assistance covering the cost of attendance … We are there to help others heal as we were helped.

WilT - I notice you start lots of threads asking and or implying that Catholics do not “do” enough for the poor and homeless, and now the disabled, widowed, shut ins, etc … and you even imply that others [Protestants from another thread] are so much better at living their Christian vocation … It seems you have a real beef with Catholics … yet supposedly you are a Catholic.

WilT - what are you doing to help the poor, the homeless, the widowed, the divorced?

I am not ashamed of all that our Church does - I am proud of all that the Church does in the service of Christ - living the Gospel and our Christian vocation to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, give drink to the thirsty and care for those in need.

Can we do more? Yes - How? By having more and more Catholics stop complaining about what we are not doing roll up their sleeves and get their own hands busy and by opening their wallets to provide financial support. If you see a need that needs fulfilled - that is our Lord calling you to make a difference … brainstorm a solution, put that solution into practice.

So WilT - I’ll ask you again - What are you doing to help the poor, the homeless, the widowed, the divorced? Many here have told you what they do, their parishes do, their diocese … you don’t say what you do … besides point fingers at the Church …

You and I are the Catholic Church WilT - tonight - for New Years - I will be spending my time in a homeless shelter - not romantic, not exciting - its lights out at 10:00 PM and on again at 6:00 AM … The 4th year now that there will be no New Years kiss and no toasts with my spouse - This Catholic could be home with family or out with friends instead - I choose to do this …

WilT - Where will you be?
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Hi again Yada, I’m very sorry to hear about your spouse. As I run into many fellow Catholics as yourself who mean well but become very negative about my threads ofnsocial issues. I’m very aware of my Church does but also I’m aware of it’s failures. These failures are not of the Lords but of us who lack interest or attain a decrease in charity. I speak only of my experience and no one else’s, I do my share in caring for the poor and disadvantaged and I enjoy it a lot. Christ is felt walking among them and my notes attempt to explain those feeling. I hope you have a wonderful New Year and once again my condolences go out to you.
 
WilT said:
Emotionally and physically disabled or challenged? The elderly shut ins? Widows and divorcees? The homeless and marginalized?

I see so very few physically challenged adults or children in Mass times so where are they? Shut in obviously don’t make it to Mass. I hear and see very little addressed to the Widowed and the Divorcee. The homeless and marginalized rarely seen.
Are they being considered at your parishes? Share with us how these baptized Catholics are being addressed by our Church and by us the layperson. How can we make our parish more acceptable and compassionate to those mentioned? What can we do ourselves to participate on those who fallen through the Catholic cracks. I’m anxious to hear about your response.
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I can say yes to all of the above, but of course, there is always more that can be done, and it is up to us to fill those needs. We do have lots of mentally disabled people in our parish I see at mass regularly. Keep in mind some of them look ‘normal’, so it is not always obvious.
 
petitfleur said:
I can say yes to all of the above, but of course, there is always more that can be done, and it is up to us to fill those needs. We do have lots of mentally disabled people in our parish I see at mass regularly. Keep in mind some of them look ‘normal’, so it is not always obvious.
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What about those ‘slutty collar chasers’ ie. those women just there to steal the priest and lure him into sinfulness? Instead of running them out of the parish, maybe the parish could exercise a little more charity to such fallen souls who have been pushed through the cracks? Certainly these people are mentally and morally inferior and in need of help. Maybe a good way to improve catholic behaviour towards friendly single women is to first of all 1) stop gossiping about them and labeling them as criminals. ?? good idea? 🤷

I only mention this, as there were some ‘catholic’ discussions reeking of extreme lack of charity and calumny and detraction with a viciousness attributable to criminal behaviour. Maybe stopping this attitude would be one place to start.
 
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