Phone calls to Shut-Ins

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Patjoe

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For quite a while, I have been thinking about starting a system wherein those who have a few extra minutes a day make a call to (registered) shut-ins in nursing homes, at home, or anywhere it would be looked forward to.

The point is that a person who might have regular gaps between necessary chores sign up with a local group, perhaps formed through Catholic Charities or other diocesan organization, and make daily, weekly, etc., calls to someone(s) who has made it known (or whose name has been submitted by a relative, parish, etc.) that he or she would like to chat with someone. This wouldn’t take much time for any of the parties involved, but it would brighten up the day for those who are lonely.

Programs such as this are available through some healthcare plans and it is probable that some have already been set up in some dioceses. If anyone has information on such a program or who has a good idea to add to this, please do.
 
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You can volunteer with your parish to visit shut ins, bring them Holy Communion, have a chat. That would be the place to start!
 
That takes TIME. What I am proposing is something that would take maybe five minutes to as long as both parties would like. You wouldn’t have to get dressed or even out of bed. You could be ill, recovering, or just lonely yourself. New mothers, empty nesters, etc. could just get a name or names from the organization, “pick up” his or her phone, say howdy to that person, share plans or joys or memories. And if the two “click,” they will have what is said on the call to think about instead of just having emptiness.
 
I’m a truck driver and I simply love this idea. I’ve got nothing but time to talk on the phone.
 
That is super! And gave me more ideas. Truckers could form their own such organization and get names from lots of places across the country.

Kids could come home from school and call other children in hospitals or who are confined to home. This would expand the souls of both the one who calls and the one who is called. Kids could also call older folks. This would be similar to the visits, but quicker.
 
What a great idea this is! Hearing an empathic human voice is so much better than just writing someone.
 
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