GSC MODULE 50: PASTORAL VISIT

The priest follows the Son of God, Jesus Christ

PASTORAL VISIT

The pastoral home visit by a priest is of great benefit for people, families and for the community.   The eventual fruit of the work is often unseen and not easily appreciated. 

  Alongside the work of the priest, this work is linked with dedication, love and sacrifices in the interest of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

  The actual worth and fruit of the home visit will only be known in eternity.

  The priest needs to keep in mind that visits are made on behalf of the Great Shepherd, Christ. 

  The sacrifice of time and convenience needs to be made often made by the priest when undertaking home visits. 

  Often personal events in the priest’s life require to, as it were, be placed on the ‘back burner’ when a home visit is due. 

  Sad news may have been received by the priest shortly before the home visit; the needs of the family [unless in the most exceptional circumstances] must come first. 

  This requires dedication, maturity and selflessness on behalf of the priest.

  The priest needs to give pastoral care to the congregation according to the Word of God. 

  The visit is made in service of the Word of God and the sacraments; the conduits of mercy of Almighty God. 

  By means of the home visit, the explanation of the Word of God and the sacraments and the comfort offered to families within their situations and difficulties, many find comfort and spiritual growth.

  King David wrote in Psalm 23; “The Lord is my Shepherd”.  

  God is the Great Shepherd, and He calls His priests to be co-shepherds in guiding and caring for His people. 

  There is warning in Ezekiel 34 to wicked shepherds. 

  Pastoral care is a sacred and responsible duty before Almighty God, and not to be undertaken lightly. 

  Jesus was kind and taught through pastoral visits. He met Nicodemus: the Samaritan woman, and many others. 

  After His Resurrection He appeared to the weeping Mary Magdalene and brought her hope and comfort; He baked bread and grilled fish for His hungry disciples. 

  Priests are to learn from His example.

  The service of the Word and the sacraments are the anchors on which the pastoral care of the priest is based. 

  The priest is not alone in this work; God is with Him, strengthening, guiding and leading through the Holy Spirit. 

  In the church the priest offers a public service of the Word which is meant for the whole community. 

  With pastoral home visits the priest offers a private and personal service of the Word. 

  It is a good practice for a priest to make a home visit accompanied by a chaperone; this can forestall any misunderstandings or difficulties.

  The visit of the priest is a personal contact with congregants and families which enables those visited to anchor their faith in God. 

  The faith of those visited is nurtured and protected by the priest through dedicated pastoral care. 

  The priest goes to visit the sick, those in difficulty, the griefstricken, those experiencing difficulties in their faith, youth and children. 

  The priest may choose to read a passage from the Bible and to pray with the family members in need of words of comfort and guidance. 

  The priest needs to build relationships of trust with parishioners; this takes time and constancy of authentic gospel witness.

  Discussion with the family members about difficulties being experienced within the family circle often proves helpful towards coping with, and resolving of, the challenge facing the family.    If a family member is sick, the priest offers the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. 

  The persons may wish to have a Bible passage read: or to receive the comfort of priestly prayer to God on their behalf. 

  The invalid may request the sacraments such as Baptism, Confession, Confirmation or Eucharist.    Those who are facing their final hours may with to make their Confession and receive the Eucharist, if they are still able to do so.

 Arrangement may be made during pastoral home visit for the blessing of the newborn baby, or for organization of a suitable date at the church in order for the administration of the sacrament of Baptism. 

  Comfort may be offered to a mother who has lost her child through stillbirth or miscarriage: and to the bereaved father and family. 

  The prayer, Baptism of Desire and naming of the child who has gone so early to God can be carried out.

  Small Bible studies may be held during pastoral visits; or the prayer of the holy rosary. 

  Whatever the reason for the home visit, the priest should ensure good preparation beforehand in order effectively to carry out confident and supportive pastoral ministry. 

  Teaching from the Bible and the guidance of the Church should be offered to those struggling with various issues such as drug misuse, alcohol misuse, lack of monogamy in a marriage, those dealing with the fallout from divorce or regret after abortion.

  Pastoral counselling should be given to those making decisions, such as contemplating an abortion. 

  The priest will be competent and informed on all matters pertaining to God’s Commandments and the guidance of the church, and will be able to inform the undecided mother that abortion is never allowed according to the Word of God. 

  It is important for the priest to realize that if a mother is suffering from the tragic situation of an ectopic pregnancy [that is, a failed implantation of the baby], medical treatment of the condition in order to save the mother’s life is not an abortion, it is instead a life-saving procedure. 

  It is in ethical dilemmas such as this that the priest requires to have good training and competence in matters biblical, theological, philosophical and ethical.

  It is important for the priest to remember that what happens within the family stays within the family. 

  A well balanced priest will interact with all family members during pastoral home visit with courtesy, dignity and maturity. 

  As the priest leaves the family, confidentiality remains the keynote of the priestly visit. 

  Thus will the priest become a trusted friend, true confidant and worthy representative of the Great Shepherd Jesus Christ within the family circles of the congregation.

PASTORAL VISIT TO THE SICK

When Jesus gave His disciples mandate regarding their call, He told them: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons”. [Matthew 10:8] 

  The gift of healing was one of the first special gifts Jesus gave to His disciples, and facilitated evangelisation.

  The directive to visit the sick and comfort them, to pray for their healing and to enable them to access resources of healing, continues as one of the important directives of Christ to His church.  The priest has the duty of care to visit congreganists during their times of illness.

Humanity suffers from disharmony of body and soul as a consequence of the Fall. 

  Sudden illness precipitates breakdown of daily life, as the sick person becomes unable to function independently.

  The sufferer becomes dependent upon the help offered by household, doctors and nurses. 

  He may experience anxiety and loss of employment and income. His family may be affected by these changes in circumstances.

  Issues about life and faith in God now often become prominent in the invalid’s life. 

  The question may arise why God allows the great life test of illness. Faith difficulties may develop. 

  Illness is often used by God as a resource to introspection, conversion and confession. 

  It is at precisely this point that the priestly pastoral service becomes indispensable. 

  The gospel of the Saviour can bring much support and consolation to an invalid during the course of a pastoral visit. 

  The visit to the sick is grounded in the earliest church tradition: Saint James counselled the sick to call on the community elders to pray over them and give the anointing of the sick.

Any of the following environments may require a pastoral visit;

·        Home

·        Hospital

·        Maternity unit

·        Prison infirmary

·        Military infirmary

·        Retirement complex

·        Frail care unit

·        Hospice

·        Squatter camp

·        Refugee camp

·        On board ship

The priest should check with doctors and nurses whether an invalid is able to receive Holy Communion if desired. 

  Sometimes the sacrament may not be given due to health issues: the patient may be fasting for a procedure or unable to take food and liquid for health reasons. 

  If a patient is shortly post-operative, a short and simple pastoral visit will suffice.

The priest requires discretion and tact during a pastoral visit to the sick. 

  A sufferer may experience personal difficulties and mood swings. 

  The priest should be competent to deal with any pastoral situation which may present, such as death of a congregant within the hospital or community setting.

  The pastoral visit to the sick brings the priest into close contact with illness, sorrow and death. 

  The ordinee will require wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit in order to carry out the visitation. 

  Prayer strengthens the priest during this holy task.

  The priest undertaking pastoral visit to the sick will come into contact with patients of all persuasions. 

  This requires understanding and wisdom. It is helpful – and in many cases a requirement – for the chaplain to hold a recognized qualification such as Clinical Pastoral Counselling in order to be fully competent for the ministry.

  The organized priest should have access to resources which enable effective ministry as needed. These resources may include:

·        Confessional stole

·        Bible

·        Book of rites of the sacraments

·        Holy water

·      Miniature mass kit containing chalice, paten, candle holder and candles, crucifix, white altar cloth, mass wine bottle, container with unconsecrated hosts

·    Matches or lighter for the candles. Remember candles, flame, matches and lighter cannot be used when oxygen therapy is being given due to the risk of explosion. Some priests carry a faux candle which gives light by means of a battery

·        Holy oils

·     Cotton wool to clean the priest’s fingers after using the holy oil for anointing

·       Small bowl to contain water to cleanse the celebrant’s fingers prior and after to giving holy communion or celebrating Eucharist

A small and transportable kit enables the priest to minister when called upon unexpectedly. 

  The support congregational members receive during pastoral visits may prove deeply beneficial.   They may draw peace and comfort from the visit and from the words of the Saviour. 

  The pastoral visit may prove spiritually uplifting to other patients who may wish to speak to the visiting priest. 

  Pastoral kindness is a powerful tool of evangelisation for people experiencing pain and difficulty. 

  It is a fact that many have come to faith in Jesus Christ during a priestly pastoral visit.

Rev Catherine

Disclaimer: this information is not meant to replace your Priest, Theologian, Doctor or Health Professional Care