Authentic ministry begins with prayer or it is not Christian ministry. We volunteer for pastoral ministry because we are needed.
We come as Christians. Jesus tells us "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:40
Our original call to minister to God's people flows from our Baptism... being Christ's light to the world. We come to the sick as representatives of the Church where we worship. We are the Church, the Body of Christ.
Laypeople do not go in place of priests, brothers and religious sisters. They enter this ministry in their own right. In its finest form pastoral care is a meld of ordained and lay ministers. Jesus says to all of us, "as the Father has sent me, so I send you".
John 20:21b. Together we possess gifts of compassion, understanding, wisdom, peace and comfort to offer the sick. The gifts we offer glow with the spark of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
Check out the pastoral ministry submenu pages for more information on how you can use your gifts in this ministry.
If you know a parishioner who is homebound or in an area healthcare facility that would like or benefit from a caring visit please call the Parish Office.