AMDG
Dear OSJ Family,
In this jubilee year of MERCY, we are called by Pope Francis to reflect on the corporal works of Mercy—those acts of love and mercy that tend to those most in need: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matt 25:35-36
One of those ministries that serve the corporal needs of the church is our Hospital Ministry. Each Sunday, in addition to us priests that visit the sick regularly at Pennsylvania Hospital, members of OSJ bring communion and visit with our sick sisters and brothers there. It is a valuable service to God’s people and a source of great blessing.
Parishioner, Donna Frithsen who coordinates this ministry tells us, “Many of the hospital ministers tell me how incredible the experience is—how much the patients want to receive the Eucharist, and how present we and they are in those moments…very different from distribution of Eucharist during the liturgy in a church. I agree wholeheartedly. The joy with which we are greeted and invited into that moment of desire in the patient room is beyond my feeble words. . It is such a humbling experience to be Christ for them in that moment and to bring Christ to them…”
I ask you then to please consider helping us in this much needed ministry, as more volunteers are surely needed at this time. If you can spare some time monthly, weekly etc please pray about and consider this invitation. To sign up please call the parish offices at (215) 923-1733 and Donna or one of the other hospital ministers will return your call.
Once we fill the ranks for the hospital shifts, we want to expand to a larger ministry for the sick and infirm of our own parish—as Donna notes, we have only just begun!
Thanks for you kind consideration!
In the Lord,
Fr Phil Florio, SJ
