Welcome to our first blog of 2020,  wishing you a  Happy New Year, hoping the coming year opens doors of opportunity and fulfillment for all.

One of our New Year Resolutions is that the national annual Dementia Prayer Week 12-19th March will reach more people in 2020.  Actually,  it has been one of our resolutions for the last eleven years.  It has grown year on year as parishes and schools, healthcare settings and individuals use our official pack to join in.  Sharing through social media encourages others nationally and overseas. 

This year we plan to make better use of streaming services to reach many more  individuals especially those who are isolated. 

The statistics state that over 800,000 individuals are diagnosed with dementia, the number may be much greater as many do not know how to access help in their struggle with dementia. They may be missing out on spiritual support as well, at this important time in their journey to the fullness of life.

For more information about  Dementia Prayer Week 12-19th March and  our work click on the  link pages  on our website.  There you will also find a variety of resources used by individuals, healthcare settings, parishes and schools  in previous years.  A new official pack is being created and uploaded shortly.

Join with us to touch hearts and change their lives! 

It would be great to hear from you, together we can discuss  ways to promote this important Prayer Week 12-19th March in your area with the time you have available, please get in touch via the contact form or twitter @dementiaaprayer

We value the prayer support of so many, please consider praying for our work by ordering the everyday  Dementia family Ministry Prayer Card available from: 
https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/dementia-prayer-card-25-pack larger packs and discounts available.  Thank you for reading this and I look forward to hearing form you.  Frances Molloy 

 for details on our Christmas Appeal follow link to fundraising  ideas page

'we will remember them'
This month we remember those who have given their lives in the service of others. Our faithful departed whom we entrust into God's safe keeping.

All  are welcome to join in the following times of prayer. Perhaps you live nearby, if not you can visit any church or join in prayer wherever you are.

Thursday 7th November
Catholic Church of St Augustine, Solihull. Adoration by Candlelight 6.16.-7.15 pm

Every Thursday  Mount St Bernard’s Abbey, Coalville. Adoration 6.15-7.15 pm

Every Friday St Peter's Catholic Church Bloxwich. Adoration and Rosary 9.00 -9.45 am and Saturday 9.45- 10.45 am

Sunday  16th  Coombe Park Care Home, Coventry Sunday 3.00 pm  service  led by the chaplain Rev Pauline Warner for residents and staff; family and friends.

Tuesday 19th Cardinal Heenan House Care Home, Upholland. 6.00 pm Mass will be offered for the work of the Pastoral Care Project by Father Stephen Beale SDP.

Please contact the office [email protected] or   twitter @dementiaaprayer about ways of joining in ‘gather and pray'.

Many of us may be thinking  about our  own funeral - My Funeral Mass Instructions can assist. 

The Pastoral Care Project has partnered with  Redemptorist Publications to  revise and produce this  beautiful and practical document – My Funeral Mass Instructions, including Care of the Sick and the Dying section,  which is important for individuals receiving formal healthcare.  
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Click on the link for discounted bulk orders and individual copies  https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/my-funeral-mass-instructions

This month  in 'Gather and Pray', we wish to focus on a different way, which is  the act of faith, as people gather to pray at the funeral for their deceased relative.

Have you thought about your own or your loved ones funeral? 
My Funeral Mass Instructions document may help you think about this, your wishes and responsibilities.  This document approved by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales has, since 2007,  been  much valued by individuals and parishes around the country. 

In response to the increasing number of enquiries from individuals and from parishes the  Pastoral Care Project has partnered with Redemptorist Publications to  revise and produce this  beautiful and practical document. It also  includes a revised  Care of the Sick and the Dying section,  which is important for individuals receiving formal healthcare.  

We are so grateful for this partnership ensuring that the My Funeral Mass Instruction and Care of the Sick document is more accessible for all.
For individual copies and  discounted bulk orders please purchase direct from Redemptorist Publications by following the link:https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/my-funeral-mass-instructions

The Pastoral Care Project has workshop resources available. These are ideal for parishes wishing to train people in assisting individuals and families who may like to talk about their funeral wishes or care of the sick plan.   

Greetings following my journey to the Holy Land with pilgrims from Birmingham Diocese.  Prayers were offered for you all  as we gathered at each holy site. Special thanks to  Bishop David Mc Gough and Canon Mervyn Towers for their leadership and offering mass at each holy site - pictures will be posted later. 

Date for your diary: 10th October 7.00pm St Augustine's Catholic Church, Solihull is the venue for the Pastoral Care Project Annual General Meeting.  Further details to follow.
The AGM is open to any person already or interested in pastoral care, or organisation who would like to be an associate member.
 


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Welcome to our blog, the title ' creation'  is  a simple word  offering much to ponder, throughout the holiday period, whether you are  home or abroad.

As always the Pastoral Care Project is indebted to the individuals and communities who continue to pray for our mission inspired by the gospel of Luke 4:18-19.
This month as always 'gather and pray'  continues: second Thursday, third Sunday and 19th as well as weekly prayer on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  

This month  we warmly  welcome  Ella back, who is busy producing Video Clips, before she leaves for university. These  will be a valuable addition to the  resources currently being produced for parishes,  and care homes.

I end by  going  back to the beginning, and  I invite you to focus on the word 'creation';  the beautiful planet given to us as our earthly home, and to go beyond to the  words  written in Jeremiah Chapter 1 v 5... "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...."  these words may be  the beginning of a new experience!
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thank you for your support and prayer. 
​Frances 

'His Word and His strength'
 
All of us, who are baptised are called to mission. How do you do this?   All of us are called to evangalise, to witness to the saving love of the Lord, who despite our imperfections offers us his closeness, His Word and His strength, giving meaning to our lives.

“In your heart you know that it is not the same to live without him; what you have come to realise, what has helped you to live and given you hope, is what you also need to communicate to others.”  The Joy of the Gospel :Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis. 
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I genuinely pray that the Lord will bring more people together to visit the frail elderly where the gospel isn’t read aloud.  I pray this because of many experiences of seeing the difference it has made to lives of individuals.
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One experience comes to mind from 2004, I was leading a Eucharistic Service in the chapel in a care home.  As one lady with dementia listened to Mark’s Gospel 6.30; (the familiar story of the feeding of 5000) she said,  ‘It’s new I never heard it before – she went on to say, “we should share ”   This lady  truly understood the gospel and the Holy Spirit had given her understanding to proclaim it among those present. This woman would always  join in the prayers, receive Holy Communion so reverently, as well as sing every verse of the hymns from memory, even though she had great memory loss.  She would read at mass with such meaning and her prayers were spoken to the person of Jesus, all the time. A truly remarkable woman, and I often think of her – such an inspiration and encourager, still serving the Lord in her old age!  I have no doubt she is still loving the Lord in eternal life, may she rest in peace.  

Would you like to launch out into the deep, by reading the scriptures and bringing the Word of God alive?    May I suggest you begin in your parish by reading the scriptures at daily mass, during the school holidays might be a easy first step to grow in confidence, or as a parish make use of our ‘Pastoral  Companion’ or the ‘VOICE café’  Day, or by joining us in our mission of enabling others to support the frail elderly so that they can experience the love of Christ in their journey to eternal life. 

'gather and pray' July  2019

Each Thursday  at 6.45 -7.45 pm  there  will be  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Mount Saint Bernard's Abbey, Coalville

Second Thursday in each month  Holy Hour of Adoration by Candlelight - St Augustine's Solihull 6.15 -7.15 pm visit website as time may vary. http://www.staugustinesolihull.org.uk/newsletter/
Each Fri 9.00 am  - 9.45 am, and Sat 9.45-10.45 am,  St Peters Catholic Church Bloxwich. ‘Prayer for Priests’ & Rosary for the Pastoral Care Project, including the many individuals who may have dementia.  

19th each month, Mass  offered by Fr Stephen Beale, SDP in Cardinal Heenan House, Upholland; united in prayer with the residents, staff and relatives and all who are connected to the charitable work of the Pastoral Care Project.

Care Home Service third Sunday of each month 3.00 pm Coombe Park Care Home, Coventry service  led by the chaplain Rev Pauline Warner for residents and staff; family and friends.

To take part in 'gather and pray' simply commit  to including  prayer including our work in an existing time of prayer either weekly or monthly or create a seperate time.
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Email [email protected] us the details and we will post it here and share via  twitter  @pastoralproject @adementiaaprayer or Facebook,  this way we spread the word about how  and what is offered by your community. 

 
Gather and pray has been growing for over two years,  supporting  all who are connected to the charitable work of the Pastoral Care Project. Sometimes,  we are asked what is involved in gather and pray?  Details of public events can be found towards the bottom of the page. 

It comes to my mind at this moment,  a similar question was asked by the disciples, they said to  Jesus,  "teach us to pray?"    

Did you know we are planning to launch two videos? The Our Father and Dementia-New Creation. 

​These videos are talks given at the charities AGM in 2016  by the late Monsignor Paul Watson, STL MA(Ed)  who served in the Archdiocese of Birmingham - mainly as Director at Meryvale Institute and then as parish priest in Atherstone until 16.10. 2018 - May he rest in Peace.  

Father Paul as he was known to many, was as a gentle evangelist, the Word of God flowing so graciously, as the Holy Spirit touched the hearts and minds those listening.
The talks were purposely prepared for us  to evangelize, enriching the lives of many, including the person who has dementia and those who care for and minister to them. 

With your help we could launch them soon, would  you consider making a donation, maybe in memory of someone? We would be so grateful - thank you.
There are many ways to donate:  totalgiving link or or the contact page,  where you will find the address to write  for my attention. Frances Molloy, Project Manager. Cheques payable to Pastoral Care Project or by BACS telephone the office or message me via  @adementiaaprayer
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'gather and pray' would be a wonderful way to view the videos !

June 'gather and pray'  intentions this month sponsorship to produce the videos 

Each Thursday  at 6.45 -7.45 pm  there  will be  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Mount Saint Bernard's Abbey, Coalville
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Second Thursday in each month there is Adoration by Candlelight - St Augustine's Solihull 6.15 -7.15 pm

Each Fri 9.00 am -9.45 am (‘Prayer for Priests’ & Rosary for the Pastoral Care Project (those who suffer with dementia)) & Sat 9.45-10.45 am  St Peters Catholic Church Bloxwich.
Holy Hour by Candlelight  second Thursday of the month at 6.15 pm St Augustine's Catholic Church Solihull 

19th  June, Mass will be offered by Fr Stephen Beale, SDP in Cardinal Heenan House, Upholland; united in prayer with the residents, staff and relatives and all who are connected to the charitable work of the Pastoral Care Project.

Care Home Service 16th Coombe Park Care Home, Coventry Sunday 3.00 pm  service  led by the chaplain Rev Pauline Warner for residents and staff; family and friends.

To take part in 'gather and pray' simply commit  to including our work in an existing time of prayer either weekly or monthly. Email us the details and we will post it here and share via  twitter and Facebook,  this way we spread the word about what  your community offers. 

 
Our heartfelt thanks to the many individuals who pray for our work each day,  and to the communities who have committed to the monthly  'gather and pray' offering comfort and hope not only to those who attend, but also to the visitors to this website.

The 16th May is a special feast day for the Sons of Divine Providence, in memory of their founder  St Luigi Orione  who continues inspireing their mission today.
We wish them a happy feast day and thank them for their generous support these last nine years in spreading the word of Dementia Prayer Week and the HeARTS and Minds Lesson Plan, and to Father Beale who is currently an  associate member.

'gather and pray' events:
 
Each Thursday 9th May at 6.45 -7.45 pm  there  will be  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Mount Saint Bernard's Abbey, Coalville
 
Each Fri 9.00 am -9.45 am (‘Prayer for Priests’ & Rosary for the Pastoral Care Project (those who suffer with dementia)) & Sat 9.45-10.45 am  St Peters Catholic Church Bloxwich.

Holy Hour by Candlelight  second Thursday of the month at 6.15 pm St Augustine's Catholic Church Solihull 
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19th May, Mass will be offered by Fr Stephen Beale, SDP in Cardinal Heenan House, Upholland; united in prayer with the residents, staff and relatives and all who are connected to the charitable work of the Pastoral Care Project.

Care Home Service 19th Coombe Park Care Home, Coventry Sunday 3.00 pm  service  led by the chaplain Rev Pauline Warner for residents and staff; family and friends.

to take part in 'gather and pray' simply commit  to including our work in an existing time of prayer either weekly or monthly. Email us the details and we will post it here and share via  twitter and Facebook,  this way we spread the word about what  your community offers.