Pastoral Care Project - Press Release Christmas 2020
In writing this Christmas letter, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to you for being part of the Pastoral Care Projects’ mission since 1994. Each prayer, each offer of help and each donation has helped it to grow and evolve embedding itself in parishes, schools, care homes and in families.
These last few years the charity has been blessed through the partnership with Redemptorist Publications who wished to support our work. They produced the Dementia family Prayer Card; the prayers were written by Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David McGough our lead bishop. The beautiful prayers encourage a real sense of mission and belonging, and they can be used every day in any setting.
Following that, My Funeral Mass Instructions document was revised, giving it a fresh look, and updating the Pastoral Care of the Sick page in addressing the Respect form wishes. The document has been very well received by parishes and individuals.
The Pastoral Care Projects’ greatest resource is Dementia Prayer Week March 12-19. I refer to it as ‘greatest’ because of the multitude of people joining in year on year, even the little ones in their toddler groups with their parents, and grandparents. The week offers opportunities for everyone to use the resources or tap into their own creative skills, if only to bake a few fresh scones to share with a neighbour.
This year was very well supported prayerfully, sadly the donation pledges from parishes and schools did not materialise which massively impacted on our work.
“The pandemic has also had the effect of hastening the demise of many organisations, particularly charities, which were struggling to survive anyway. We have been particularly susceptible to this and like many charities have suffered a drop in funding and together with the difficulty of attracting trustees has meant that we have had to reconsider the long-term future of the Pastoral Care Project.” Extract from Chairs’ Introduction by Rev Kevin O’Connor, Annual Report 2019-20.
However, for the Pastoral Care Project, there is good news to share.
The way forward looks secure. I am so pleased to share that Redemptorist Publications with whom we have enjoyed working with the last few years, are taking on Dementia Prayer Week beginning 12-19 March 2021 as summarised in the following paragraph:
"This Christmas, the directors and editor are making a home for Dementia Prayer Week. In addition to the Dementia family Ministry Prayer card, we will continue to pray and offer additional resources for those whose lives are touched by dementia. We will also continue to offer My Funeral Mass Instructions document.” 4.12.2020
This is a gift, a most beautiful and practical gift. It fills me with a sense of joy knowing that the legacy of supporting the spiritual needs of the elderly and most especially the person with dementia will continue. This could not be achieved without the dedication and expertise of trustee’s past and present, and indeed everyone involved.
On behalf of the trustees, I wish to convey our thanks Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David McGough, and the Catholic Bishops/Day for Life for their support for myself and the trustees these last few months helping us in discerning the way forward. A special word of thanks to Bishop David McGough who was lead bishop until March, we are indebted to him for his kindness and wisdom, the Masses, retreat days and the written prayers. We wish him a very happy retirement.
As all is in place now, it means that the Pastoral Care Project can close. The accounts will be finalised on 31st December 2020 followed by the deregistration of the charity. Please do not send any donations to us, as they would have to be returned. Should you wish to write to me at the office address, it would be lovely to hear from you. I plan to be here in early January finishing the last bits of data safekeeping.
As well as remembering you for your kindness, my thoughts turn to the people who have passed from this life, the individuals whom I was privileged to get to know in care homes and in the community, the carers, clergy, and volunteers. Now dwelling in life eternal, may they see face to face the Lord Jesus, to whom they sang and prayed to here on earth, for so many years.
Finally, my thanks to Father Hudson’s’ Care for their hospitality since 1996 and the privilege of ministering in their care homes. My thanks to the religious orders, the schools, and parishes who invited me to give training, assemblies, and talks.
‘We live in extraordinary times’ is the common phrase. This Christmas card image on the left is a reminder of how extraordinary it was when Christ was born in Bethlehem, the shepherds frightened by the events. Their fear changed when they found the Saviour, as directed by the angel of the Lord. They went on eagerly, to spread the Word.
May I encourage you to continue being part of the Dementia Prayer Week March 2021 ‘spread the word’ through the resources available from www.rpbook.co.uk
Let us pray that we hear the voice of God afresh this Christmas. That you and your loved ones are blessed with the peace, love, and deep joy of Christ the Saviour.
Frances Molloy
Project Manager
Pastoral Care Project
In writing this Christmas letter, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to you for being part of the Pastoral Care Projects’ mission since 1994. Each prayer, each offer of help and each donation has helped it to grow and evolve embedding itself in parishes, schools, care homes and in families.
These last few years the charity has been blessed through the partnership with Redemptorist Publications who wished to support our work. They produced the Dementia family Prayer Card; the prayers were written by Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David McGough our lead bishop. The beautiful prayers encourage a real sense of mission and belonging, and they can be used every day in any setting.
Following that, My Funeral Mass Instructions document was revised, giving it a fresh look, and updating the Pastoral Care of the Sick page in addressing the Respect form wishes. The document has been very well received by parishes and individuals.
The Pastoral Care Projects’ greatest resource is Dementia Prayer Week March 12-19. I refer to it as ‘greatest’ because of the multitude of people joining in year on year, even the little ones in their toddler groups with their parents, and grandparents. The week offers opportunities for everyone to use the resources or tap into their own creative skills, if only to bake a few fresh scones to share with a neighbour.
This year was very well supported prayerfully, sadly the donation pledges from parishes and schools did not materialise which massively impacted on our work.
“The pandemic has also had the effect of hastening the demise of many organisations, particularly charities, which were struggling to survive anyway. We have been particularly susceptible to this and like many charities have suffered a drop in funding and together with the difficulty of attracting trustees has meant that we have had to reconsider the long-term future of the Pastoral Care Project.” Extract from Chairs’ Introduction by Rev Kevin O’Connor, Annual Report 2019-20.
However, for the Pastoral Care Project, there is good news to share.
The way forward looks secure. I am so pleased to share that Redemptorist Publications with whom we have enjoyed working with the last few years, are taking on Dementia Prayer Week beginning 12-19 March 2021 as summarised in the following paragraph:
"This Christmas, the directors and editor are making a home for Dementia Prayer Week. In addition to the Dementia family Ministry Prayer card, we will continue to pray and offer additional resources for those whose lives are touched by dementia. We will also continue to offer My Funeral Mass Instructions document.” 4.12.2020
This is a gift, a most beautiful and practical gift. It fills me with a sense of joy knowing that the legacy of supporting the spiritual needs of the elderly and most especially the person with dementia will continue. This could not be achieved without the dedication and expertise of trustee’s past and present, and indeed everyone involved.
On behalf of the trustees, I wish to convey our thanks Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David McGough, and the Catholic Bishops/Day for Life for their support for myself and the trustees these last few months helping us in discerning the way forward. A special word of thanks to Bishop David McGough who was lead bishop until March, we are indebted to him for his kindness and wisdom, the Masses, retreat days and the written prayers. We wish him a very happy retirement.
As all is in place now, it means that the Pastoral Care Project can close. The accounts will be finalised on 31st December 2020 followed by the deregistration of the charity. Please do not send any donations to us, as they would have to be returned. Should you wish to write to me at the office address, it would be lovely to hear from you. I plan to be here in early January finishing the last bits of data safekeeping.
As well as remembering you for your kindness, my thoughts turn to the people who have passed from this life, the individuals whom I was privileged to get to know in care homes and in the community, the carers, clergy, and volunteers. Now dwelling in life eternal, may they see face to face the Lord Jesus, to whom they sang and prayed to here on earth, for so many years.
Finally, my thanks to Father Hudson’s’ Care for their hospitality since 1996 and the privilege of ministering in their care homes. My thanks to the religious orders, the schools, and parishes who invited me to give training, assemblies, and talks.
‘We live in extraordinary times’ is the common phrase. This Christmas card image on the left is a reminder of how extraordinary it was when Christ was born in Bethlehem, the shepherds frightened by the events. Their fear changed when they found the Saviour, as directed by the angel of the Lord. They went on eagerly, to spread the Word.
May I encourage you to continue being part of the Dementia Prayer Week March 2021 ‘spread the word’ through the resources available from www.rpbook.co.uk
Let us pray that we hear the voice of God afresh this Christmas. That you and your loved ones are blessed with the peace, love, and deep joy of Christ the Saviour.
Frances Molloy
Project Manager
Pastoral Care Project