this month of gather and pray we offer our thanks for continued support and welcome a new addition. 

A warm welcome to St Peter's Catholic Church, Bloxwich,WS3 3LA who have  joined in 'gather and pray' on Friday:  ADORATION: Fri 9.00am—9.45am (‘Prayer for Priests’ & Rosary for the Pastoral Care Project (those who suffer with dementia)) & Sat 9.45-10.45am 

Sincere thanks for the prayerful support offered by:
St Augustine's Catholic Church, Solihull,  Adoration by Candlelight second Thursday.
Coombe Park Nursing Home, Coventry,  Sunday afternoon Service.
Cardinal Heenan House, Care Home, Uphilland,  Mass  on 19th 
During the month of August dates and times many vary or put on hold due to holidays, and will resume in September, more information will be posted here.


I wish thank you so much for praying for the charitable work of the Pastoral Care Project and also welcoming people in the community     to join you.
All  were remembered during a pilgrimage to Knock Basilica  in June. 
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Gather and  Pray services for May are listed below and we thank each of them for their ongoing commitment. 

18th May 2018 Holy Hour by Candlelight at St Augustine's Catholic Church Solihull 6.15pm. Included in the holy hour will be the charitable work of the Pastoral Care Project, and the people, parishes, and schools who support us. Thank you to everyone for your generosity. 

Mass 19th May, will be offered by Fr Stephen Beale, SDP in Cardianl 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.  

20th May  Sunday Afternoon Service 3.00pm in Abbey Park Care Home Coventry, led by the chaplain,  Rev Pauline Warner,  and joined by residents and staff.

This month of May offers us  all a wonderful opportunity to pray with the two great feasts:  the Ascension and Pentecost. Ascension gifts us with the Prayer of Waiting - waiting for the Advocate, and Pentecost gift us with the Advocate - the Holy Spirit, a gift which Jesus promised he would send to teach us about The Father's Love (c) and to teach us to pray.

My prayer is, that more churches, care homes and schools will be prompted by the Holy Spirit to link a regular service like the examples above, or take this  invitation to initiate one and unite your prayers for the poorest of the poor - the person who has dementia.  Thank You and  I look forward to hearing from you. Frances  

"Cry out with Joy to God, all the earth" .... Ps.65
We wish to thank  Fr Stephen Beale SDP,  who will be gathering with residents and relatives, staff and volunteers  as well as welcoming members of the local community to celebrate Mass on Thursday 19th April at 10.00 am in Cardinal Heenan House Care Home, Wigan.   
He will be offering prayers of thanksgiving for those who supported the Day on Prayer on 19th March and contributed so generously to appeal he will also pray for the ongoing work of the Pastoral Care Project in particular  the need for  additional trustees.

We appreciate very much this Apostolate of prayer which Fr Stephen began in March 2017. We would welcome additional commitments to prayer which is open to the local community on any of the day of the week. At present we are would like prayer during the first week and the fourth week of each month, please send an email if you wish to create an event or incorporate prayer into your regular event or for further information. 

Easter Greetings!   
The journey continues with  'gather and pray' on the 6th April, St Augustine's Church Solihull, through the words of Luke 24:13-35. ...they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread. 
At 6.15 pm there will be an hour of Candlelight Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, including prayers for the work of the Pastoral  Care Project charity which includes people of all ages.

It may  not be possible for you to attend in person, so you may  wish to join in wherever you are. 
photo from http://www.staugustinesolihull.org.uk 

We wish you a very happy and holy Easter. 

We wish to thank  you for your very generous  support before, during and following Dementia Prayer Week 12-19th March.  The response has been encouraging from the widespread interest shown by many Dioceses, Care Homes and individuals; a truly remarkable contribution in marking this Decade of Prayer Week for the poorest of the poor (L.2.18-19) in our society - the person where dementia is advanced and they are totally dependant on others in every aspect of their care.  

We also wish to thank the schools who have chosen the Pastoral Care  Project as one of their Lent charities , and to the parishes who kindly offered to have a collection for our charitable work- this is so important in these difficult times.

We will continue in April with 'Gather and Pray':  a regular commitment by clergy in various areas.  Using an existing service they pray for the work of the Pastoral Care Project and offer an invitation to those living nearby to attend , prayer intentions  can be sent to them or the Pastoral Care Project , or join in prayer at home. 

Details of  the next ‘Gather and Pray’ are, 8th, 17th , and 19th  April, further details to follow in early April.
Perhaps you would consider linking an existing  monthly event, as it  would be good to have at least one during the second  and last  week of each month - please let us know and we will gladly post it here. 
​Thank you. 
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23rd March 2018  6.30- 8.00 pm.  Edge Youth Group meeting Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Nuneaton.
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The theme of the evening will be the 'Holy Spirit', and the leaders will be including a time for reflection using the Dementia Payer Week and the HeARTS and Minds Volunteering Programme online resources.

Many young people already have a good understanding of dementia  from the assemblies and lesson plans in schools; some may have experience through family members. 

EDGE group is part of www.bycs.co.uk  and is based in Nuneaton and Bedworth. For more information please email [email protected] 

The Pastoral Care Project wishes to  thank the group for their support in marking this Decade of Prayer Week, and also acknowledge the input given by  a few of the leaders;  St Thomas More College/ Sixth Form as well as staff and residents at Aldesgate, Nuneaton, for helping us produce HeARTs and Minds initiative.  

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'Still Bearing Fruit in Old Age' -  22nd March 10.00am - 4.00pm 
​Day of Reflection and Sharing -Coventry Methodist Hall, Warwick  Lane, Coventry CV1 2HA 
The day is organised by Rev Pauline Warner, Chaplain to Methoidist Housing Association,  Abbey Park Nursing  Home, Coventry.
 Keynote speakers: 
10.30 am  Revd Christ Swift,  Director of Chaplaincy to Methodist Homes for the Aged
1.30 pm Rt Rev. David McGough Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham and Lead Bishop to Pastoral Care Project charity . 
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This event is in response to Dementia Prayer Week 12-19th March ​

March 19th 9.30 am Mass in support of Dementia Prayer Week and the  Pastoral Care Project charity, initiators of Dementia Prayer Week ©
 
7.00 pm  Prayer Evening led by the Pastoral Care Project team, for the parish response to dementia in their community and  supporting a new parish project . 
The parish also supported in prayer all week and had a collection for the charity  at the weekend masses.

Mass 7.00 pm  Cardinal Heenan House, Upholland. WN8  Mass will be offered by Fr Stephen Beale SDP,  following on from their Prayer Day on 18th. 

Cardinal Heenan House Roby Lane, Upholland, WN8 0QR.
18th March, 2pm – 5pm
​The Sons of Divine Providence, response when asked to pray  for and with, those whose lives are touched by dementia, was to offer a day of prayer in Cardinal Heenan House as last year, and arrange a dementia fundraising event   for the  Pastoral Care Project.

On Sunday 18th March, the care home residents, staff and relatives will welcome visitors from various churches and social groups. It is hoped that as last year the young people will attend and participate.

Beginning at 2pm, with the rosary, concluding at 5pm. Activities include dementia reading, singing, drawing and art;Tovertafel and personal witness. All welcome.For further information contact  http://www.orionecare.org/cardinal-heenan-house

The Pastoral Care Project wishes to thank everyone who will be praying this weekend in churches and cathedrals on Sunday and on the Monday 19th . We hope that the week of prayer will encourage more people to offer their time to as 'pastoral companions' to care homes in particular where so many are unable to attend their familiar church.