2 minute read
A Look at Our We Care Ministry: Keeping All Parishioners Connected By Sharing Faith and Fellowship
O ur faith is meant to be experienced in community. Unfortunately, for more than a year, the COVID-19 pandemic took away the opportunity to be with people and build community. And for many who were sick or alone, this was particularly painful.
A discussion in Adult Faith Formation class led by Debbie McCullough grew into the formation of the We Care Ministry, which formally began this past spring. Fran Cook, Claudia Deakin, and Jean Zehler are on the Steering Team for this ministry. Volunteerscommit to calling those who are new to our parish and those on the sick list.
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“We asked, ‘What are the needs of this community?’” Jean says. “This is a manageable and feasible way to help with all we’ve dealt with from COVID and the disconnection.”
“This is a wonderful outgrowth of Adult Faith Formation,” Claudia says.
There are currently 13 volunteers who have divided up the list of the sick and new members, and they have been making calls to check-in. Members keep this all organized so that no one gets missed. Fr. John Wakube has given his full support to this ministry.
The volunteers are excited about this new ministry, too — they feel that it fills a void, and parishioners have been asking for something like this.
We Care Steering Team members (from left) Fran Cook, Jean Zehler and Claudia Deakin.
“I’ve made calls to two sick parishioners, so far,” Claudia says. “I have been blessed immensely by talking to them. I believe that I am getting so much more out of it than they are. I put them on my personal prayer list, and I feel I’m really building a relationship with them.”
Given the size of our parish, we must all make the effort to get to know our fellow parishioners across the pew from us. We Care is just one way to do that.
“The response from those we have called has been so enthusiastic and appreciative,” Jean says. “This is a very rewarding ministry. People haven’t expected a call, and they have responded with joy to our calls.”
Fran says that being involved in this ministry has helped her to focus more on praying for people and reaching out.
“For so long, we couldn’t see those who we normally see,” she says. “During my prayer time, someone will pop into my head, so I jot their name down and pray for them and call them.”
The last year has brought us through ups and downs, but the We Care Ministry is here to support people who are alone and sick. It also exists to welcome new members.
“We want to ensure people stay connected through all of this,” Fran says. “At the parish, we are family, and if you are family, you want to be connected.”
“We all have that feeling that we want to reach out and help,” Claudia adds. “We want to help all parishioners, but especially those who are sick.”
