Parish Ministry to Maturing Adults (55+)
Janet Schaeffler
and Whole in our Maturing Years: Parish Ministry, Vital Principles,
Bold Proposals), some parishes were spurred on by his ideas to do some
things: watch for the September SPARKS to see what St. Lucy, St.
Clair Shores did. SS. John and Paul, Washington, just completed a 4-
evening series on "Finding Peace and Purpose in our Retirement
Years." Many of our parishes have been doing supportive, life-giving
things for this age group all along (in addition to buses, bingo and
brownies).
What have you done - spurred on by Johnson's ideas? What have you
been doing all along?
Elaine Young
meets once a month. In addition to some "field trips," guest speakers are
brought in to discuss pertinent issues, a nurse from our parish health
ministry is available to check their meds. and take blood pressures etc. We
also have a smaller senior (singles only) gathering who meet for fellowship,
and card playing once a month and plan excursions during meetings.
Our health ministry sponsors an exercise group that meets twice a week in
the morning, and we also have a chair side yoga group that meets once a
week.
We have hosted a monthly Quenching Your Thirst series, which is mostly
attended by our "wisdom group." We hosted this on Sundays, late afternoon,
early evening just so it is not too dark for our seniors.
Once a week, a group of women, only one is under 55, meet and either knit,
crochet, quilt or help wherever needed. All items are then donated to
various charities. But the well being created amongst one another has been
very touching. They have outreached outwardly as well as inwardly.
Janet Schaeffler
Flowing from this theme of ministry with/to maturing adults, there was
an article in the April 2009 issue of The Lutheran, an international
magazine published by the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America): Go With What You Have: Swap Youth Director for Senior
Director by Robert R. Cooper, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster,
PA.
The ECLA, like many other main-line Protestant denominations (and many
maturing Catholic parishes) strugle with how to attract younger
members. The author points out that often the answer is to hire a
youth diretor. Cooper says, "So what do we do? Rather than start a
ministry for people we don't have (youth), let's look at how you can
more fully serve the senior members you do have." He goes on to point
out that some of the benefits of such a move - aside from the obvious
one of saving money that might be more effectively spent in other
areas:
* seniors offer free time and lots of talent for ministry
* learning never stops
* grief companionship
* seniors need sustaining support
* the Church is a subsitute family
Mr. Cooper's punch line is interesting: "Will a senior ministry help
you grow?" He answers his own question in the affirmative, explaining
that if the Church "do" maturing adult ministry well and others see
the marvelous outreach and enthusiastic membership, this alone will
attract new members of ALL ages.
Choosing between a youth minister or a maturing adult minister isn't
the question; both are needed! Creative and pastoral thinking is
needed before invalid presumptions are made. Lois Knutson, in
Understanding the Senior Adult: A Tool for Wholistic Ministry, says:
"Just as congregations (and parishes) have structured ministry for
children and youth, evangelism, worship, stewardship, social outreach,
and Christian education, a structured ministry is needed for senior
adults. Aging members should not be given the "leftover" time on the
congregation's and pastor's schedule."
So - keep on sharing with us what is happening in YOUR parish for the
needs of those 55+.
Jaime Hinojos
Greetings to all,
The Saint Gabriel Catholic Youth Council is concluding preparations
for our Parish Youth Conference to be held at
Saint Gabriel Parish
8118 W. Vernor
Detroit, MI 48209
on Saturday, November 14 from 8:00am through 6:00pm
our main presenter will be Franciscan Rap Priest Fr. Stan Fortuna from
the Bronx, New York.
We kindly ask you for your support, from all of you in different
manners:
From Bishops, Pastors, Associates Pastors, Deacons, Parish
Secretaries, Youth Coordinators, Lay Leaders, and all men and women of
good will,
1) During the next two weeks some of you might be approached by a
group of parents and Youths, who will ask you for your permission to
do a short pulpit announcement of this event at the of the Eucharist
at your Parish.
2) Please help us publicize this events amongst youths ages 12 through
17; in your Parish websites, Bulletins, blogs, facebook accounts, etc.
This Conference will be bilingual with 80% English.
3) To our brother priests, I would like to ask for your assistance
with the Sacrament of reconciliation, which can be administered any
time between 9:00am and 4:30pm. Lunch will be served at 12:30pm more
or less, to which you are all invited to partake. The normal stipend
will be issued to priests who will help with at least one hour with
confessions.
General Information:
The admission for this Catholic Youth Conference at Saint Gabriel Church
will be $15.00 dollars and that will include a banquet.
Tickets and fliers will be available next week. Thank You
And Peace be with You,
Fr. Jaime Hinojos
Pastor at www.archangel-gabriel.org
-------------------
I'd like to pre-announce that
We are in the process of preparing a
Young Adults Concert
with Fr. Stan Fortuna
On Sunday, Novemenr 15 at 5:00pm
at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church
more detail on this concert will be sent to you as soon as they are
available; also by visiting our page www.archangel-gabriel.org
Thank You again,
And please encourage your children, nieces and nephews to attend this
once in a life experience here at Saint Gabriel parish
May the Lord Jesus protect you and guide you all the days of your life,
Fr. Jaime Hinojos