KERLIN: Seen and heard, valued and loved

Photo by James Ramos/HeraldWe are all growing older, and it is a blessing to be aging. Many of us, as we grow older, will remain in our homes or the homes of our family members. Some of us will join the two to five million older adults in the U.S. who are “homebound,” a term used to describe people who are unable to leave their home, usually due to illness or old age. 

Many older adults who are homebound are at risk of becoming isolated from their faith community and the very practices that help them feel and experience the presence of God, such as the Sacraments, the Eucharist particularly, Scripture and fellowship. 

As followers of Christ, we are invited to “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Rom 12:13). Let us extend our hospitality beyond the walls of our churches into our communities and the homes where older adults seek to connect to their faith and their Catholic family. 

We are blessed to have a very rich faith. There are many Catholic organizations that support older adults — the Catholic Grandparents Association, the Catholic Mental Health Ministers Association, Friends of St. John Catholic Caregivers, the Catholic Chaplain Corps, Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul Society, to name a few. Most parishes have a homebound ministry and Eucharistic ministers who visit people who are homebound. 

If you are at home, we want you to know that you are not forgotten and you are not alone. We see you and hear you. We love you, and we value you. At the Office of Aging Ministry, we have launched SAINTS University online to bring the educational events that we do in person to you in your home. Visit us at www.archgh.org/aging to begin your first class. Check back regularly because we will be adding classes. 

Here are some ways that we can provide spiritual care to our brothers and sisters who are homebound:

• Remember that all people have strengths and gifts to share. Be curious and open to people who are homebound and the gifts they have to share. Listen and love.
• If you have an older adult you are caring for at home, consider contacting your church to see if there is an Eucharistic minister who can bring Communion to your loved one. 
• Arrange for your loved one to have a visit from a priest for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick when appropriate.
• Share your missal or read Scripture to someone who is homebound to help them connect to the daily readings and Sunday readings.
• Make up special care packages for special occasions and especially religious holidays and observances.
• Give a rosary to someone who is homebound and pray it with them and for them.

Pray with an older adult by visiting in person, over the phone or including all homebound older adults in your intercessions.

Contact the Office of Aging Ministry if you need additional information or resources. †

Kristine Kerlin is the director of the Office of Aging.