Sunday ALF Ministry - What's Happening?
Sunday Ministry @ ALF
Many Senior Citizens @ Assisted Living Facilities want to attend a Church Service on Sundays!

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Seniors like worshiping in a group on Sundays!
Who needs this? 
Mrs: Caputo (85) - I've attended church for 75 years. I appreciate your coming here Sunday mornings.
Every Catholic Parish should consider offering a Sunday Service to Assisted Living Facilities. Eucharistic Ministers currently visit the sick and homebound (including nursing homes) on Wednesdays or Fridays. Why not Sundays and, why not include a brief  Service so that ALF residents can pray together and experience the ritual of the Liturgy. This is NOT equivalent to a mass performed by a Priest or Deacon, and it's not a replacement for attending Mass. It is better than nothing when transportation to church is not available or the health issues make it difficult to attend church. See "Procedures Page" for details.


Bill (92) - My son takes me to church every so often. It's nice that I can come here when he doesn't have time. Thank you.
Betty (78) - It's almost like being in church. This is my family now.
John C (81) - Going to church is best, but this is better than nothing. 
Mrs: Sanusky (88) - I know he isn't a Priest or Deacon, but I like to receive Holy Communion.
Every Assisted Living Facilitywith 10 or more Catholics, should consider making suitable space available, and offering this Service to residents. Contact your local Catholic Church or email us questions.
Hospitals, Mental Health Facilities, prisons and other institutions should also consider providing a Catholic Communion Service on Sundays!

Why Not?

Manpower, is the primary reason Mass is not offered on Sundays at Assisted Living Facilities. Priests and Deacons are busy. We are suggesting that Eucharistic Ministers can partially fill this void by offering Communion Services. This allows 'ALF residents' to attend church in a community environment on the Lord's Day. It's not ideal, going to Mass is better, but is much better than nothing.

I repeat; ALF residents should try to go to church on Sundays and attend Mass conducted by a Priest. ALFs should provide transportation if possible. Deacons and retired Priests are better qualified to conduct a Mass or  Service at an ALF, but when they are not available, Eucharistic Ministers can fill the void.
Comments from Residents 
Adrienne (68) - I'm Christian, but not Catholic. I like the service and receive a blessing rather than Communion.
ALF:

Ask your Pastor
for it!
Catholic
Churches:

Offer it!
Residents &
Families:

Demand it!

Sunday ALF Ministry - What's Happening?

Celebration @ Mag. Manor

by Jim Plautz on 06/22/17

Two years ago someone told me that death is part of an ALF - that's why senior citizens come to live here. Well, it's still not easy, especially when four are lost in two weeks. Irma, a 92 year old resident informed me two Sundays ago that four residents had passed; Lila Numair, Ruth Previte, Ann Harding and Abbie (who was not part of our church group). That's quite a few for a 40-bed facility.

We celebrated their memory, said a prayer and prayed that these women were looking down upon us from God's Kingdom and praying that when it's our time, that our souls will be acceptable to the Lord. That's what we Christians believe.

Easter Update (Sunday) - Arden Court, Mag Manor and Brookdale

by Jim Plautz on 04/21/17

5 Easter Eggs, split among 8 Christians - 5 Catholics received Communion; Arden Courts is exclusively for "memory" patients.  I walked in and asked "What Day is it? SUNDAY, was the answer. EASTER, a couple answered. I asked, why is this a special day? CHRIST IS RISEN, a man responded. Wow.

I also visited Magnolia manor (23 Eggs) and Brookdale (15 Eggs, including 4 for their Alzheimer's wing). I ran out of eggs, but got 4-5 volunteers to forgo their treat. We did a full Communion Service including scripture readings and a summation of Fr. Lipscomb's "Dragnet Homily".

What a wonderful Easter Celebration this was, for me, and many of the elderly ALF residents that could, otherwise, not attend church!

Easter Update (Wed) - Idlewild

by Jim Plautz on 04/21/17

11 Easter Eggs, 4 Catholics received Communion. This is a new ALF where one Catholic asked our Parish if someone could come and give her Communion once a week. I asked the Activities Director (Rebeca)if there were other Catholics. There were, and we now give a mini service in the small Theater for 4-5 Catholics and 5-7 other Christians who are gathered for an Idlewild Baptist Church service that immediately follows. We all say the Lord's Prayer before Catholics receive Communion and the rest receive blessings. Very nice - 10 minutes is all it takes.

Easter Update (Wed) - Brighton Gardens

by Jim Plautz on 04/21/17

20 Easter Eggs (with candy and scripture messages in each egg). We celebrated on Wednesday, with visits to both the Skilled Nursing and "Memory" units. The memory-loss patients are so!!! appreciative. I read a few of the scripture messages (e.g. Trust in the Lord .... Proverbs 3:5) for those needing help. Several in Skilled Nursing asked if I would be back Easter-Sunday (I can't, because I visit 3 other ALFs on Sundays and no "subs" are available). Sad!

Easter Update - Manor Care

by Jim Plautz on 04/21/17

10 Easter Eggs, each with candy from the Easter Bunny and a brief scripture message from the Lord. We celebrated a week early because I only visit once a month. Six Catholics included in the 10. Two ladies thanked me for coming. Good visit. Worthwhile.

See Blog @ bottom of page!.