Pastoral Care

Visitation Parish takes to heart these words of Pope Benedict XVI as we attempt to live as a community of faith, the Body of Christ, in good times and in difficult times.

"The true measure of humanity is essentially determined in relationship to suffering and to the sufferer. This holds true both for the individual and for society. A society unable to accept its suffering members and incapable of helping to share their suffering and to bear it inwardly through 'com-passion' is a cruel and inhuman society. Yet society cannot accept its suffering members and support them in their trials unless individuals are capable of doing so themselves; moreover, the individual cannot accept another's suffering unless he personally is able to find meaning in suffering, a path of purification and growth in maturity, a journey of hope. Indeed to accept the 'other' who suffers, means that I take up his suffering in such a way that it becomes mine also. Because it has now become a shared suffering, though, in which another person is present, this suffering is penetrated by the light of love.

The Latin word con-solatio, 'consolation', expresses this beautifully. It suggests being with the other in his solitude, so that it ceases to be solitude. Furthermore, the capacity to accept suffering for the sake of goodness, truth and justice is an essential criterion of humanity, because if my own well-being and safety are ultimately more important than truth and justice, then the power of the stronger prevails, then violence and untruth reign supreme. Truth and justice must stand above my comfort and physical well-being, or else my life itself becomes a lie. In the end, even the 'yes' to love is a source of suffering, because love always requires expropriations of my 'I', in which I allow myself to be pruned and wounded. Love simple cannot exist without this painful renunciation of myself, for otherwise it becomes pure selfishness and thereby ceases to be love."

#38 Spe Salvi

BeFriender Ministry

Visitation parishioners are invited by the parish staff to consider becoming a BeFriender minister. At the present time, a BeFriender Ministry team of eight parishioners works with Peg Ekerdt, Director of Pastoral Care, to reach out to parishioners in times of illness, grief and loss of any kind, listening without giving advice, offering spiritual support and always maintaining confidentiality.

BeFriender ministers are: Kay Dolson, Judy Glynn, Mary Ann Heckman-Crowe, Judy Johnson, Susan Miller, Julie O'Neill, Mary Ann Oswald and Kitty Steed. Their generosity and faithfulness mirror the existent compassion of this parish community. When they are called to listen and be a caring presence they really do so in the name of all of us in the parish community. If you would like a BeFriender to visit you, please contact Peg Ekerdt at 753-5155 x309 or peg@church.visitation.org.

Communion to the Homebound

These ministers participate in diocesan training in order to serve and bring the Eucharist to those members of the community who are sick at home or in nursing homes. To have a homebound minister visit you or to learn more about becoming a homebound minister, contact Peg Ekerdt at 753-5155 x309 or peg@church.visitation.org.

Helping Hands

The Helping Hands Ministry provides parishioners the opportunity to help other parishioners in time of need by cooking a meal or providing transportation to church. This ministry is open to anyone but might appeal especially to empty nesters, early retirees, the newly single - and all those who are at ease preparing a meal. This ministry has existed in our school community for several years and more recently has expanded in order to invite all members of the parish to both serve or be served. This ministry is a wonderful way to make the compassion and care of Christ visible in the work of human hands - and provide a meal to someone in need. Coordinated by Jennifer Burke. If you are interested in lending a helping hand, please contact the ministry coordinator or staff liaison Peg Ekerdt at 753-5155 x309 or peg@church.visitation.org.