Young at Heart Ministry: Growing in Faith and Fellowship Together

From listening to fascinating talks to taking day trips to beautiful places, members of the Young at Heart Ministry keep their hearts filled with the joy of youth and live up to their ministry’s namesake.

“Being involved with the ministry has really enriched my life,” says Pat Delph, who co-chairs the ministry along with Betty Nicolas and Don Striegel. “I have made many new friends through it and have gotten to know other parishioners better. It has also encouraged me and supported my faith life. Most of the other participants feel this way, as well.”

Our parish’s Young at Heart Ministry is aimed at serving senior citizens, ages 55 and older, by providing them with socialization in a religious context.

“Furthermore, our purpose is also to help us keep our bodies and minds active by learning new skills through programs and activities we participate in at our meetings,” Pat says. “For example, we had a physical therapist come and discuss ways to stay active during a ‘COVID winter.’ We also covered the topic, ‘Improving Your Brain at any Age.’”

Importantly, the ministry also helps its members grow closer to Christ and embrace the call to stewardship. “The ministry enhances our spiritual lives by giving us fellowship and encouraging us to participate in church activities,” Pat says. “We begin and end our meetings with prayer, and try to do an annual service project, as well.”

Generally, the Young at Heart Ministry meetings take place on the second Friday of each month at 11 a.m. and feature either a guest speaker or simply a topic for group discussion. This past year, many of the meetings took place over the Zoom video conference platform, such as for the group Christmas party where the members played Trivia.

“Last October, we had a pumpkin-decorating contest,” Pat says. “Everyone decorated a pumpkin and displayed it over Zoom, and we chose a winner. It was really fun!”

However, beginning in May, they are planning to meet at our parish’s outdoor pavilion.

“For example, we once had an author come and talk about the book she wrote,” Pat says. “In March, we had a master gardener come and talk about gardening. Another time, we had Betty Nicolas come and talk about genealogy, and all she has done to research her family’s history.”

In past years, the ministry has hosted off-campus events, such as day trips to restaurants, museums, or Symphony on the Prairie. They have also visited President Benjamin Harrison’s home, St. Meinrad Seminary, and the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand.

“The ministry gives the members something to look forward to,” Pat says. “We are all friends, and we support and encourage each other, and pray for one another. And we definitely have fun together!”

The inspiration to begin the Young at Heart Ministry came about three years ago when Pat and Patti Collins — who now serves as our Pastoral Care Specialist — were attending a meeting at the Prairie Township Senior Center.

“A group called Neighbors in Faith was there talking about the various ways that the local churches are involved in senior ministry,” Pat says. “We decided we wanted to help our seniors like they were!”

For more information about this ministry, email Pat Delph at patttrn@yahoo.com or call her at 317-902-2868.

An afternoon touring and tasting at Mallow Run Winery