1. Minister to the spiritual needs of Catholic patients of Belleville Memorial Hospital.
   
   
2. Minister to the spiritual needs of residents in Belleville area long-term care facilities.
   1. this could entail continuation of present programming
   2. maintain an active volunteer program
   
   
3. Develop a support network for all MSA Volunteers.
   1. educate volunteers for ministry with elders and the sick
   2. develop a faith community among volunteers
   3. assist parishes in developing ministry to aging and the sick
   
   
4. Be an Advocate in the areas of justice pertaining to the aging population
   
   
5. Be an Advocate for ministry for:
   1. persons with disabilities
   2. the bereaved
   
   
6. Develop an Information and Resource Center for Parish Wellness/Nurse Programs.
   
   
7. Long Range:
   1. develop intergenerational mentoring program
   2. develop ethics committee for long-term care facilities

SACRAMENTAL MINISTRY

#100 "Catholic Chaplaincy to Belleville Memorial Hospital"
Availability for sacraments of Anointing of Sick/Reconciliation/Eucharist at Belleville Memorial Hospital.
Chaplain: Fr. Gene Neff - Assisted by area Catholic Priests when needed.

#101 "Catholic Chaplaincy to Belleville Area Long-Term CAre Facilities"
Regularly celebrate the sacraments of Eucharist/Anointing of the Sick/Reconciliation at Belleville Area Nursing Homes.
Chaplains: Staff Chaplains.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY

#110 "MSA Volunteer Program"
90+ volunteers are trained to take Communion, and visit patients/ residents at Belleville Memorial Hospital and 12 area nursing homes. Volunteers are affirmed & recognized for their service regularly throughout the year, and in a special way during the Advent season.

#111 "Birthday Greetings"
Birthday greetings, an affirmation of the value of life, are sent to all nursing home residents and Ministry volunteers.

#112 "Parish Census"
Periodically the Census of Catholic residents of 16 area nursing homes is updated. The census includes the former parish of almost all of approximately 500 Catholic nursing home residents.
Call (618) 235-9991 for your list.

#113 "Summer Outing"
500 residents, staff, and volunteers are treated to an Annual Summer Outing at the Diocesan Pastoral Center each June. Residents come from nursing homes in 5 counties: St. Clair, Clinton, Monroe, Randolph & Washington.
Ministry Staff is available to assist in beginning a similar program at any location in the Diocese of Belleville.

#114 "Sickroom Equipment"
Wheelchair, walkers, camodes, canes, crutches, toilet extenders, etc., are available to borrow from the Ministry office. This service is provided for use by anyone living in private homes/apartments ONLY.

#115 Weekly "Sunday" Bulletin
A weekly "Sunday" bulletin, preparing by Office Staff & printed by Liturgical Publications Inc. of St. Louis, is distributed at area nursing homes and Memorial Hospital by Staff Volunteers & Chaplains each week. Containing news, prayers, birthday announcements, reflections, nursing homes Mass schedule, etc., the Bulletin contributes to building a sense of community among the Catholic residents of area nursing homes.

WORKSHOPS

#120 "Christian Retirement Challenge Profile"
Join with others in exploring and understanding the issues of retirement. Fee: $27
Facilitator: Fr. Gene Neff
Location: Mt. Vernon/Ellis Grove/Diocesan Pastoral Center

#121 "Retirement Success Profile - Diocesan Priests"
Designed for Catholic Clergy who are anticipating retirement in the near future: understanding the aging process, issues of retirement, etc. Fee: $30
Facilitator: Fr. Gene Neff

SUPPORT GROUPS

#130 "Day of Prayer & Reflection for Seniors"
Facilitators: Staff

#131 "Care for the Care Giver"
The complexity of issues - both emotional and concrete - of caring for a loving one who needs continuing care, or placement in a nursing home, will be considered in a supportive setting.
Facilitator: Fr. Gene Neff

PROFESSIONAL SERIES

#140 "Ageism in the Church"
A discussion of age prejudice in the Church and steps to eliminate it.
Presenter: Staff

#141 "AIDS & the Church"
Presentation will give a basic understanding of the disease of AIDS, as well as the Church's ministry to victims to AIDS.
Presenter: Fr. Joe Rascher

#142 "The Spirituality of Aging"
Presentation explores the spiritual and religious needs of our Elders.
Presenter: Fr. Gene Neff

#143 "The Ministry To Sick & Aged"
An explanation of the history, philosophy and programs of this Ministry. Suggestions for implementing a parish ministry to/with our Elders.
Presenters: Staff

#144 "Bereavement Ministry"
An explanation of how to implement bereavement ministry in a parish setting.
Presenter: Staff

#145 "Ministry To Persons with Disabilities: Spirituality"
Explore the spiritual needs of the mentally and emotionally disabled, and how to meet them.
Presenters: Staff

#146 "The Clergy as Family Caregivers"
For Clergy who are active in ministry and are responsible for the care of an aging relative.
Presenters: Fr. Gene Neff & Panel of Experts

#147 "The Spiritual & Religious Needs of Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities"
An ecumenical panel of clergy will share with the staff of a long-term care facility thoughts and reflections on this topic.
Presenters: Fr. Gene Neff & Clergy of various denominations.
Location: Long-term care facility requesting presentation.

SPECIAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

#150 "1998-1999 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Ministry to Sick & Aged"

#151 "Ministry to Sick & Aged Volunteer Training Program"
A training session for volunteers with this Diocesan Ministry. References needed.
Presenter: Mrs. Connie Barre
Location: Ministry Office

#152 "Parish Advocates for Persons with Disabilities"
Training for individuals from any Diocesan parishes who wish to serve as Advocates for the Disabled in their parish.
Presenters: Staff

#153 "Spiritual Mentoring"
Representatives from Diocesan Elementary Schools and Parish Schools of Religion are trained & prepared to implement an intergenerational Mentoring Program in their facility/program.
Presenters: Staff

#154 "Nursing Home Ethics Committee"
A goal projected for 1997-98 interested Belleville Area Long-Term Care Facilities will be invited to place a representative on an Ethics Committee that will serve the facilities represented.
Coordinated by Ministry Office

#155 "October 1 - International Day of the Elderly"
Each year a new activity is designed and implemented to bring attention to the life situation of our Elders.

#156 "Parish Nurse/Wellness Programs: What & How"
Presentation will answer the questions: what is the Parish Nurse/Wellness Program - how do we begin in our parish - how do we know we really need this in our parish - etc.
Presenters: Staff & Representatives from existing Parish Nurse/Wellness Programs

#157 "S-M-I-L-E" Group
This ministry is the sponsoring agency for "S-M-I-L-E," a group of parents of children with special needs who gather monthly for an opportunity for prayer, information, and support.

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

#160 "Information and Resource Center for Parish Nurse/Wellness Programs"
Ministry Office has available resources, etc., for parishes wishing to begin/expand parish nurse/wellness programs.
Phone: (618) 235-9991

#161 "A/V and Printed Resource Materials" The Ministry office has available to loan the following materials:

Printed Materials:

1. "Intergenerational Activities" booklet printed by Ministry Office
2. AARP materials on the topic of Intergenerational Activities
3. "The Stephen Ministries"
4. Materials pertaining to Parish Nurse Program

1. "A Time to Reap" - the spirituality of our elders and a call to volunteering.
2. "The MSA: 1996" - overview of the MSA, but can be used for meditation.
3. "Elizabeth Ministries"
4. "Conscience & Conflict"
5. "Facing Death"
6. "Euthanasia"
7. "Aging Parents" - 2 different videos.
8. "Pastoral Bereavement Counseling"
9. "Growing Old in a New Age"
   • Myths & Realitites of Aging
   • How the Body Ages
   • Maximizing Physical Potential of Older Adults
   • Love, Intimacy & Sexuality
   • Learning, Memory & Speed of Behavior
   • Intellect, Personality & Mental Health
   • Social Roles & Relationships in Old Age
   • Family & Intergenerational Relationships
   • Work, Retirement and Economic Status
   • Illness & Disability
   • Dying, Death & Bereavement
   • Societal & Political Aspects of Aging
   • The Future of Aging

#162 "Parish Nurse/Wellness Networking"
Ministry Office coordinates the Networking of Parish Nurse and/or Parish Wellness Programs by providing the following:

• inclusion of articles from existing programs & free distribution of MSA Newsletter:
• annual gathering of persons involved in parish nurse/wellness programs for a time of sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, support, renewal, and socialization:
• a handy phone card listing of contact persons in all parish nurse/wellness programs in the Diocese.