Diocese prepares to observe Pastoral Care Week

Throughout history, the Church and its many ministries and outreach programs have offered support to those who are suffering, ill, dying, lonely, grieving, abandoned or forgotten.

And this month, in concert with the global Church, the Diocese of Trenton will observe Pastoral Care Week – an opportunity to honor those caregivers who provide spiritual support to those most in need.

“Pastoral care is found at the intersection of faith and action,” said Deanna Sass, director of the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care. “It is the way the Church demonstrates the compassionate love and care of Christ.”

Pastoral Care Week, with this year’s theme of “Spiritual Care Together,” will be observed Oct. 25-31.

“During Pastoral Care Week, our department distributes prayers for each day of the week to all diocesan employees and all parishes, so that we might pray, in unison, around the themes of each of the areas of Pastoral Care,” said Sass. “We ask all parishes to honor their pastoral caregivers either by special mention, or a blessing at all Masses.”

Another key observance of the week each year was the Chaplain’s Appreciation Luncheon, held on Oct. 21. Sass explained that attendees comprise professional chaplains from various faith groups who serve area hospitals, jails and prisons, police departments, homeless shelters and other agencies across the Diocese. And while clergy from different religious traditions attend, many minister to all those they encounter in their work, Catholics included.

“It is our way of saying thank you to them for their steadfast care of those whom others may shun,” said Sass. “Chaplains enter into the most difficult places in people’s lives, and share faith, hope and love with them. “

She added, “Part of the purpose for our annual luncheon is to offer the chaplains in attendance resources that help them become more knowledgeable about Catholics’ specific needs, so that their ministry to Catholics can be more effective.”

Reflecting on the annual luncheon, Sass said that there has always been uplifting, stimulating discussion among attendees.

“We have much more in common, than we have differences,” she said. “That is one of the most beautiful realizations of this annual appreciation luncheon.”

The other realization, she said, is how kind and compassionate the ministers are.

“This is an event that warms the heart every time,” she shared.

While next week is set aside to honor those involved in pastoral care throughout the four counties of the Diocese, Sass’ department works around the year by “training parishioners and parish staff persons for the various pastoral care ministries, and providing ongoing education and formation for all those who care for the suffering.”

The department’s flagship initiative is the “Pastoral Care Training Program,” which begins Nov. 20 and meets one day each month through April. Those six meetings provide participants with a series of 12 workshops to offer them a comprehensive foundation for a range of pastoral care ministries, including ministries to the sick and homebound; bereavement; support for the separated and divorced; jail and prison ministry; maturing adults ministry; ministry to the disabled; addictions ministry; parish health and wellness; and respect life ministry, among others.

The department also offers an annual retreat for caregivers, a range of respect life educational offerings, and special training for those who minister to the incarcerated. An annual event is held for maturing adults in the summer, and a day of healing for the separated and divorced is held in the fall.

Reposted from TrentonMonitor.com. By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor and David Karas, Correspondent