(Stock Photo – Canva)
By Patricia Schiisler
Sunday morning doesn’t always allow for everyone to attend a Mass or service at their church. Many vulnerable but mentally/physically capable members of our parishes reside in senior homes. They may not have the means or resources to participate in Sunday worship. Our Archdiocese of Regina has acknowledged the needs of its elderly members.
A most worthwhile and beneficial ministry is a Lay-led Liturgy of the Word. Since I began participating with a group of dedicated individuals a few years ago, the love and joy derived from these faith-filled members has grown over time. While our parish ministry is delegated to a couple of senior facilities near my home parish, other parishes also provide this ministry in locations within their own parish boundaries.
“Are we having a priest today?” was the query from one woman when I arrived at the chapel last Sunday for worship. I smiled in reply, “Sorry, but I wish it was so for your sake. The best I can do is offer you a Lay-led liturgy service, with Jesus in the Eucharist.” Her face lit up at the idea of receiving the Eucharist, affirming that it was most important to her. This woman, among the other women and men that I meet, continue to remind me that they attended church and belonged to parishes long before moving to the places they now live. “Is it O.K. that I come, even though I belong to Holy Child (or another past parish)?”. “Of course”, they are told, “I am glad to see you attending this morning.”
Volunteers are in short supply for this ministry, which is unfortunate. It is one of the most beautiful and worthwhile activities that we can provide. The ministry isn’t difficult after you fill your heart and soul with love for God and caring for the people who passed on their faith. They are people we should be thankful for because they worked through their treasure, time, and talent to pass on what we are fortunate to experience today. Their faces shine with past contributions as they either participate in the liturgy or tell stories from their past.
Providing a brief word after the gospel is not difficult. There are many examples of homilies that can be summarized or utilized for a brief reflection. I enjoy creating my own after spending some time reading a variety of information from online sources and using information learned from bible studies. Then, when the Lord is raised up in the Eucharist prior to the people receiving Him, you can feel the Holy Spirit, who is always present. He becomes more pronounced as you gaze over everyone waiting to receive Him. He is their God and has been for the many years of their life. It is my honour and joy to place the host in their hand, containing the true presence of Jesus Christ. They can feel Him within to carry them through another week.
Initially, as an elementary school teacher, I had no experience or desire to work with senior citizen people. God changed my heart, along with the Lay Ministry program, and today it is more rewarding than I ever dreamed possible.
Patricia Schiissler, B.Ed., (nee Hanowski) as a lifelong Roman Catholic, was born, baptized, and received her sacraments at St. Henry’s parish in Melville, Saskatchewan. She began her education in a country, one room school (Wymer) from grades one to four. Education then began at St. Henry’s elementary school, grades five to eight and grades nine to twelve in St. Henry’s high school. Pat worked in the University of Regina library and meanwhile married Terry Schiissler in 1973 (BA, Notre Dame, Wilcox). They have 2 children. She retired from teaching at Regina Catholic Schools after 28 years. Pat studied the Understanding Our Faith series from 1997 to 2002. She then took the Lay Formation Program and was commissioned in 2018. Faith interests and accomplishments include Eucharistic ministry, Proclaimer, RCIA sponsor, Bible study facilitator, Chair, Spiritual Education, Lay Liturgy presider, Synod representative, etc. Pat became an author after retiring from teaching. She wrote and self-published, “God in my Life: How God speaks to me”. For the following two and a half years, she promoted the book while speaking to large numbers of people. There were over 25 evangelizing events across Western Canada. The experience was so meaningful that Pat decided to write and publish her second book,” God for all People: Some Fact, Some Fiction”. It is based on her faith journey relating to stories mainly strangers shared with her. Pat’s website is www.patriciaschiissler.com.
