Fr. Sojan's first Mass at the nursing home

Photos by Jane Winstead 

Father Sojan celebrated his first Mass at the Shore Acres nursing home on Wednesday, August 21. Parishioners assisted with the Mass.

Diocese features St. Raphael ministry

Ministries of Mercy page from the Diocese of St. Petersburg Web site. Click to enlarge.

St. Raphael's Nursing Home Visitation Ministry is highlighted on the Diocese of St. Petersburg's Web site under a Ministries of Mercy banner.

Parishioner Louise Barrett, who coordinates the ministry, is quoted as saying, "We visit the residents to bring the Lord to them and because some have no family and our visit may be the only one they receive." She mentions that she and eight other parishioners visit the nursing home each week. She has been visiting for 11 years.

The article describes in detail the activities of the ministry during a recent visit to the Shore Acres Nursing Home. Linda Champion and Joan Priest also are mentioned in the article. Linda is quoted as saying she was scared at first but now can't give up the ministry.

Several other ministries at various parishes in the diocese are featured as well, including St. Joseph, St. Gabriel, Prince of Peace, Lorenzo Terrace II, All Saints and St. Jerome.

Bishop Lynch started the Ministries of Mercy initiative in 2006 to support and foster parish ministries that serve the poor, suffering and marginalized.

If you're interested in the nursing home ministry: Call Louise Barrett at (727) 821-2561 or send her an e-mail at AMBLAB.@aol.com

Nursing Home ministry

Photo by Jane Winstead

Louise Barrett speaks with a resident of Shore Acres Rehabilitation Center during a recent ministry visit. “As we minister to the residents, they minister to us,” she says.

By Louise Barrett

I am part of St. Raphael's Nursing Home ministry along with Greg Langston, Linda Champion, Bill and Karen Muhlstadt, Angela Soucy, Mary Baecher, Maggie Moren, Joan Priest, Chris Winstead, Rose York, and Mary Wilson.

Our ministry members visit Shore Acres Rehabilitation and Health Center each Sunday. In addition to our weekly Sunday visits, on the third Wednesday of every month, one of our priests from St. Raphael celebrates a Mass right at Shore Acres for residents who able to participate.

After Mass, our priest does individual room visits for those who are too weak to attend Mass.

Residents receive Holy Eucharist, confession, Sacrament of the Sick, prayers, and holy objects like prayer cards and rosaries when requested. We have seen many Catholics who had fallen away from the faith who return to a full sacramental life.

We have witnessed the baptisms of some residents. The residents become part of our St. Raphael family. Whenever asked, we pray with our Protestant brethren in the power of the Holy Spirit.

In a recent survey about the positive benefits of Shore Acres nursing home, one of the residents listed our Nursing Home ministry as a highlight of his experience there!

Over the years, this ministry has touched the lives of many amazing people who find themselves at Shore Acres because they need round the clock nursing care for various reasons.

Many come for a time and then return home. Some are young, needing rehab. Some are terminally ill. For some, Shore Acres will be their final home for several years until their death.

These residents are dear to us and we look forward to our visits with them.

I have been in the ministry since August 1999. I have met hundreds of residents during that time. I have held their hands and watched them get better, and I have held their hands and been at their side as they died. As we minister to the residents, they minister to us.

This is an incredibly rewarding ministry and you are welcome to join us. We train you on the job and take you through the steps needed to become a volunteer.

If you're interested: Please call Louise Barrett at (727) 821-2561.

Please view two slide shows below showing Father Dominic and Father Tim celebrating Masses at Shore Acres Rehabilitation and Health Center.

Photos by Jane Winstead