Sunshine Visits Ministry for Pastoral Care

What is the Sunshine Visits Ministry for Pastoral Care?

It is an approach to visiting parishioners who are not able to leave their homes, or nursing homes, who are in hospitals or who have limited mobility due to different circumstances, including, but not limited to, age, physical impairment, or other circumstance. It is an extension of Ministry to the Sick, but it is only the social component of it.

• Time per visit is flexible according to parishioner’s need and minister’s availability

• Visits are Joyful, Social and Safe

Why this ministry is called the Sunshine Ministry for pastoral care?

We are connecting with another parishioner who cannot be physically present in our community. Our visits might include some prayers if that is the wish of the parishioner and you are comfortable praying with another person, but mostly it will be a joyful, social visit.

 “Our mission is to bring to parishioners the awareness that Christ – Emmanuel, God is with us – is born anew within us. Through our visits we hope to be instruments of light and hope breaking through the darkness of doubt and despair” (Normile, 1992, pg. 2)

 Who does the Sunshine Ministry minister visit?

Any parishioner who is homebound, elderly, or physically impaired, who lives alone, in a nursing home or is in the hospital, and for whom there was a request for a visitor. Note: The family should always be aware and approve that ministers are visiting their family member.

 Who are Sunshine Ministry ministers?

Caring parishioners like you who have at least one hour a week to spend with a neighbor. A minister is dependable, compassionate and respects the privacy and confidentiality of the person who is visited.

The Ministry visitor does:

1. Contact the homebound parishioner and/or family member to introduce him/herself and schedule a visit for a mutually convenient time for the visit. Minister will discuss the length of the visit. Introduces him/herself upon arrival, wears a parish ID.
    

2. Conduct the visit for the designated amount of time. The visit may or may not include prayers. The homebound parishioner may request a visit from a priest, Eucharistic Minister or other service from the church. The minister will attempt to connect the parishioner with these services by contacting the Parish office and Ministry to the Sick leader and explain what the parishioner needs.
    

3. Makes a commitment to keep the scheduled appointment and call the homebound parishioner if they cannot keep the appointment.
    

4. Calls the Ministry to the Sick leader once a month to give a brief update about the visits. You can always call the Ministry Coordinator about issues or questions.
    

5. Listens, respects opinions and confidences, is objective but interested, is friendly, may read aloud, may help write letters, may play games and puzzles, and may discuss what’s happening in the parish community, Listens.
    

8. Contacts the person if the appointment cannot be kept.

 What are the requirements to be a minister?

• Positive, Joyful, Loving spirit.

• Ability to carry on a joyful and safe visit to the parishioner.

•  Fingerprinting required.

• Diocesan Safe Environment Training required.

Contact:

To request a visit or to become a Sunshine Visits minister, call BJ Davis at 407-855-5391 ext 274.

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