Pastoral Care Ministries
of St. Mary of the Visitation Parish
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"It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters." Mother Teresa When Sadness Strikes or a new member arrives- a family is there - and that is the goal of the Neighbour Ministry. We seek to be a network of names of parishioners that would be willing to provide a kind card, a warm dish, a helping handy hand, a friendly voice, a compassionate ear to welcome (or comfort) a fellow member of our Family of Faith. |
Sacrament of the Sick: Each year our parish offers an Anointing of the Sick Mass during annual devotions to St Anne in July and around the World Day of Prayer for the Sicke (February 11th). All parishioners who would like to receive the grace of this Sacrament are invited to participate. This Sacrament is also offered upon request at any time for those under going serious medical treatment, preparing for surgery. Please contact our Pastor or by calling the parish office at 519 658 4443 to arrange a visit to celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick.
Holy Communion to the Homebound: Ministers of Communion to the Sick also bring communion to those who are sick or confined at home and at St Luke's Place each Sunday morning. Homebound Parishioners are also visited upon request by our Pastor - Please contact Father or through the parish office at 519 658 4443 to arrange a visit.
St Luke's Place / Nursing Home: Our parish offers pastoral care to the residents of our local senior's residence - St Luke's Place. In addition to weekly visits by our Ministers of Communion to the Sick on the Lord's Day, a monthly Mass is celebrated for the residents by our Pastor. Ministers of Care, who are Volunteers from the parish, assist in getting residents from their rooms to the Chapel at St Luke's for this celebration. Each December we also host a Christmas Caroling evening for all of the residents and are blessed with the presence of our Kids Khior for this night. Our high school youth group—Da Crew—also prepares Christmas Gift Bags for the residents each year.
Residents at other local Nursing Homes, who are parishioners, are visited upon request - Please contact our Pastor or the parish office at 519 658 4443 to arrange a visit.
Hospital Visits: To ensure a visit when hospitalized please make sure to indicate at registration that you are a Roman Catholic and a member of St Mary Parish. Communion is brought to the patients at the hospital daily and weekly upon request - contact the Pastoral Care Office at the Hospital.
CARE GROUPS
Grief Relief: Grief is a painful, confusing and isolating time; without a doubt, one of life's most difficult experiences. Where can we turn for answers to our questions? Where can we find support, empathy and understanding? This small group helps provide answers and remind you that you are not alone. Contact Parish Office for meeting times.
Act 2: Life change is never easy, but at a later stage of life it’s particularly isolating. Come together with others to realize there is a "second act" and you are not alone. This divorce and single again group meets on Thursday evenings - pre registration required.
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Masses at St Luke’s Place An important part of our community is our elderly members who are residents at St Luke’s Place. Each Sunday communion is distributed to them by lay Ministers of Communion to the Sick. Once each month the celebration of Mass takes place in the Chapel of St Luke’s Place at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Each month the Celebration of Mass takes place at St Luke’s Place (Seniors Centre). This is a wonderful time of gathering with some of our elders. We are in need of some volunteers to help bring the seniors from their rooms to the Chapel at St Luke’s Place. This is a gentle commitment of 2 hours per month (Tuesdays afternoons from 1-3 p.m. - the Celebration of Mass is at 1:30 p.m.). If you are able to help with this, you can email Father Freitas and the Parish Office Thank you for considering this ministry to our seniors. Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Tuesday, March 20, 2018 Tuesday, April 17, 2018 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 Tuesday, June 19, 2018
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Novena and Devotions to St Anne Anointing of the Sick Mass and Blessing with the Relic of St Anne July 28 & 29, 2018 Saint Anne is the holy mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus. When we pray the St. Anne Novena, we are asking help from our Blessed Mother’s mother! Saint Anne’s feast day is on July 26th, so the St. Anne Novena is traditionally started on July 17th. Devotion to St. Anne began early in the history of the Catholic Church. As she was favoured by God to become the mother of the holy Virgin Mary, she is often invoked as the Patron of mothers. On the weekend of July 28 & 29, 2018 a relic of St Anne will be present at all Masses and at the conclusion of each Mass there will be the individual blessings with the relic for all who seek such. Special prayers and homily will be offered and the opportunity to place intentions for a special Novena Mass with Anointing of the Sick on the Feast Day will also take place on July 28th during the 5:00pm Mass.. Watch for details |
