March, 2019
Pastoral Care Ministry Newsletter
Directors Reflection
March Has Many Facets & Memories

"Starting the month with Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent helps me to recall how fragile and seemingly short life seems, as well as the importance of our Church in helping us to maintain a strong faith, through the joys and sorrows of life" ... Continue .
Pope Francis’s Lenten Message for 2019 

“ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God ” ( Rm 8: 19)

“When we live as children of God, redeemed, led by the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom 8:14) and capable of acknowledging and obeying God’s law, beginning with the law written on our hearts and in nature, we also benefit creation by cooperating in its redemption. That is why Saint Paul says that creation eagerly longs for the revelation of the children of God; in other words, that all those who enjoy the grace of Jesus’ paschal mystery may experience its fulfilment in the redemption of the human body itself.” Read more .
Resources for Lent

Lent provides us with an opportunity to grow closer in likeness to Jesus through the many opportunities that we encounter each day.
Catholic Health Organization Lenten Reflections
 CHA is offering its annual series of Lenten reflections to enable you to reflect on the meaning of this season by downloading and listening to these weekly offerings.
Catholic Apostolate Center
The Catholic Apostolate Center has put together resources for individuals, groups and parishes that can be helpful in making Lent a fruitful time of Prayer, Penance, Almsgiving and evangelization.

Lenten programs being offered at The Dominican Retreat House  
Save the Date - June 12, 2019 
Pastoral Care Ministry Day
of Retreat & Spiritual Renewal
Jesus’s Transforming Power of Humility- “ I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you also should do for one another ” John 13:15 

We invite you to spend the day with Pastoral Care Ministry colleagues and friends as we refresh and renew our spirits. Fr. Eugene (Red) O’Reilly C.Ss.R., a Redemptorist priest from Canada, will be our retreat leader. Fr. O’Reilly has given missions and retreats for parishes, teachers, school boards, clergy and religious throughout Canada and the United States since 1983.
He is well known for his teachings on joy and compassion as well as his touching stories, humor and music. More Information and Registration Form .
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan. 11 - May 17:
Winter/Spring Art Classes, St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands

March 9:
Spring Memorial Masses at St. Agnes & Most Holy Redeemer cemeteries

March 9:

March 11 - 30:

March 23:
Spring Memorial Mass at St. Mary's cemetery, Troy

April 27:

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Caregiver Resources
Self- Care for Healthy Ministry
Anyone in ministry, especially ministry to sick, elderly and homebound, eventually may start to feel a bit overwhelmed with suffering they encounter and may start to burn out. That is why it is imperative to have resources and practices that allow for ongoing self-care. The Catholic Apostolate Center has three videos available which you can watch as a group or individually in your own home that address self-care in ministry. They can be accessed here.
Emmaus Ministry
for Grieving Parents
One Day Retreat
April 27
St. Clement’s Church, Saratoga

Losing a child under any circumstances is horrendous. Focusing on the spirituality of the grieving process can help tremendously. Just as He comforted His grieving disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus comforts us and we comfort each other in this very special ministry.
 
Join other Emmaus Parent Companions and our St. Clement’s Church Emmaus Ministry Retreat Team in a warm and loving place—
to think, to talk, to feel, and to pray. Find compassion, rest, and peace… at least for a time.  Retreat information and registration.

By Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.

"The unthinkable has happened: your child has died. The normal circle of life has been broken and you have outlived your child. How do you go on? What can you do with your pain? Where do you turn? What do other grieving parents do not only survive, but over time and with the support of others, to live and love fully again? This book offers 100 practical ideas that have helped other grieving parents understand and reconcile their grief".  Information on this and other resource books for grieving parents can be found here .
Alzheimer’s Association- Northeastern New York Chapter
If you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, are the Caregiver of someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or are a Professional Caregiver, there are many resources available which you can access in this area. Read more .

The Alzheimer’s Association now offers an online community and in person support groups for caregivers, people living with Alzheimer's and those impacted by the disease.  Find out more about these services and where supports groups are offered.
Online Education Resources
Pastoral Care Ministry is a program of Albany Diocesan Cemeteries

If the Pastoral Care Coordinator at your parish changes, please notify Harley McDevitt . Thank you!
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