Towards a Ministry
For The
Graying Church

March 10, 2003

Numerous research studies in recent years have focused on successful aging. These research projects have emphasized the importance of aging, spirituality and holistic wellness. The findings indicate that a healthy spiritual dimension in the life of the elder is an important factor in the successful aging and holistic healing process of 62-74% of elders studied. (When studying this topic and interpreting this research, it is important to understand the differences between spirituality and religion, and how religion is an aid to spiritual growth).

In more than a quarter century of providing pastoral care to residents of long term care facilities, it is clear that spirituality and religion are important ingredients that can have a positive impact on the successful aging process of most elders.

The impending demographic revolution calls Church communities to evaluate their commitment to the elder members of their community. Is the Church community actively involved in meaningful senior adult ministry? What is the meaning of life? What gives and enhances meaning to the lives of our elders? These are fundamental questions that will give focus to our ministry with our elders.

The Church of the New Millennium is are a "graying Church." If the Church of 2011 and beyond is to be a meaningful church to a major part of its members, it must look at issues that will impact those who will be age 65 and over. Assessing the holistic needs of our elders and becoming aware of available community resources to meet those needs are the first steps in ministering to the elder Church. Where gaps in services exist, new ministries can be developed to serve our elder Church.
I propose that the Catholic Church consider the following issues surely to impact the elder members of our "Graying Church":

1. Spirituality of our elders

As we grow older the need to affirm life's meaning continues. This affirmation is achieved through a strengthening of our relationships with God, others, self and our environment. Through "life review," the elder can discern the meaning of life. In one whose spirituality has been a positive influence in life, the result is a life of integrity, not despair.

Opportunities that can provide for a deepening spiritual life for our elders:

a. Eucharistic and non-eucharistic liturgies geared to the older members of the Church;
b. more frequent communal celebrations of the sacrament of anointing;
c. where possible, use of old & new technology (e.g. TV, Internet, etc.) by the Church to enter the places where elders live, e.g. apartment buildings, private homes, assisted living and long-term care facilities;
d. audio/video tape of the Church liturgical services (at least the homily with some music) for use by the homebound. Greater use of radio as is being done in the southernmost portion of the diocese;
e. greater use of lay ministers of Eucharist to take Communion to the homebound and visit;
f. beginning a prayer ministry with the homebound being the "pray-ers" for intentions of fellow Church members.

2. Health Care Ministry

People who live longer will continue to deal with health issues, especially chronic but also sub-acute and acute.
Parish Wellness and/or Parish Nurse Programs have the potential to impact the health care of our elders. Many areas of Southern Illinois provide this service. From providing education, information and resources on a variety of health issues, to offering monthly blood pressure checks and providing follow-up care for a parishioner who has been released from the hospital, the Parish Wellness Team becomes an integral part of the healing ministry of Christ, adding to the quality of life of the elders of our Church.

Areas of involvement could include:

· education on various health issues;
· home health care for the homebound;
· hospice care for the dying;
· preventative health care measures (blood pressure checks, diabetes tests, flu shots);
· proper nutrition (Meals-On-Wheels) for people no longer able to prepare their own meals.

3. Bereavement Ministry

It is a fact of life that people die. And the longer one lives, the greater the likelihood that the individual will experience grief. The death of a spouse, a child, brothers/sisters, close friends, companions, and pets - each brings with it the experience of grief. We the Church, can be a "companion on the journey" of bereavement, helping those who mourn to move from death to life.

Bereavement ministry can include:

· visitors, before, during and after a death;
· assistance in planning the funeral (contacting out-of-town family members, planning a vigil service & the funeral liturgy, watching the house/apartment during the funeral);
· providing rides to Church if needed in the weeks and months after the funeral;
· making phone calls to the bereaved;
· selecting individual parishioners to be trained as bereavement counselors.

Bereavement ministers trained by the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved, or another qualified trainer, are a valuable addition to the parish pastoral team.

4. Transportation

Elders need adequate transportation. The Church should collaborate with existing transportation programs for elders by providing additional resources (e.g. drivers for vehicles used for transportation, financial contributions to assist in the upkeep of the vehicles). Above all, the Church must encourage elders to use this service.

Information is available to areas where transportation service is not presently provided about the existence of grants and other sources of income that can be used to begin a "Senior Transportation Program." Consult your Area Agency on Aging.

5. Loneliness/Companionship

Loneliness and the need for companionship will only increase as the numbers of elders increase, and as improvements in health care increase the average life expectancy. The Church can reach out to those who are alone in a variety of ways, helping to combat the experience of loneliness by supporting or collaborating with existing programs or by establishing:

· senior centers in cooperation with local government agencies and the Area Agency on Agency (parish facilities could be used);
· senior companion programs;
· senior aid programs;
· telephone reassurance;
· home visitation by eucharistic ministers, Bible study or bereavement visitors;
· travel service for those able to leave their homes/apartments;
· ride service to weekend Masses.

6. Housing

Affordable housing, especially for low and middle income, will become a much greater need. While supporting community housing efforts is always encouraged, the Church (on a diocesan and individual parish level) should take the steps necessary to provide adequate housing in areas like long-term care, assisted living, apartment living, duplex/fourplex living or other housing configurations. Empty parish facilities could be converted to provide one or more these housing options.

The average age of Americans is increasing; life expectancy (78-79) continues to grow; the demographics in the United States are reflected in the U.S. Catholic Church; with the onset of retirement age by the baby boomer generation in the year 2011, the number of elder Americans and the overall percentage of Americans who are 65 and over will increase dramatically. The Third Age of life is a time for personal growth and development, not merely a time to wait for death. As a matter of justice, growing numbers and growing needs of our elders demand that we reassess, reevaluate and redistribute the resources of the Church to respond to those needs.

- by Fr. Gene Neff, Director
Catholic Diocese of Belleville, Ministry To Sick & Aged

Institutions That Have Conducted Research On The Role & Positive Impact of Spirituality & Religion On Holistic Wellness

1. International Center for the Integration of Health & Spirituality
www.icihs.org

2. Duke University, under the leadership of Dr. Harold Koenig
www.geri.duke.edu

3. The Park Ridge Center (1999)

4. CARS (The Center for Aging, Religion, & Spirituality), under the direction of Rev. James Ellor, and Dr. Susan Fadden (April 8, 1999)
www.luthersem.edu