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Always Our Parishioners Trifold Pamphlet - Eng
A Pastoral Letter on Caring for the Sick and the Dying.
Always Our Parishioners
An Eparchial initiative of care, presence, and pastoral support.
Always Our Parishioners is an initiative of Bishop David and the Eparchy created to help parishes care more intentionally for parishioners who are sick, homebound, recovering, elderly, isolated, or approaching the end of life.
Its starting point is simple: even when someone cannot come regularly to church, that person remains fully part of the parish community. They are not forgotten. They are always our parishioners.
A Parish-Based Initiative of Ongoing Care
Always Our Parishioners is a parish-based initiative that helps communities stay connected to people who may now live at home, in hospital, or in a care centre because of illness, age, frailty, recovery, or other serious health circumstances.
Its purpose is to encourage a more regular and compassionate pattern of care so that people do not feel forgotten when they can no longer be physically present in parish life.
If They Cannot Come to the Church, the Church Goes to Them
The core idea of this initiative is clear: when parishioners are unable to come to church, the Church should continue to go to them.
That can happen in many simple but meaningful ways: a visit, a phone call, prayer together, Holy Communion when appropriate, the parish bulletin, parish news, or practical help with small needs. The goal is to help people feel remembered, supported, and still part of the parish.
A Pastoral Vision From Bishop David
This initiative grows out of Bishop David's pastoral letter, Always Our Parishioners, Renewing Our Hope in Christ: A Pastoral Letter on Caring for the Sick and the Dying.
In that letter, Bishop David calls the Eparchy to renew pastoral care for the isolated, the sick, and the dying in every parish. It reminds us that this work is part of the Gospel, part of the works of mercy, and part of the Church's responsibility to remain close to her people.
A Practical Parish Response
Parishes can begin in clear and manageable ways:
- 1identifying parishioners who are homebound, ill, recovering, elderly, or in care
- 2creating a parish list of those who may benefit from regular contact
- 3forming a group of volunteers under the pastor's guidance
- 4arranging visits or calls on a regular basis
- 5serving in pairs where appropriate
- 6connecting parishioners with a priest when confession, anointing, pastoral visits, or Holy Communion are needed
Simple Acts That Keep People Connected
Support may include:
- visiting a parishioner at home, in hospital, or in a care centre
- making a phone call when a visit is not possible
- praying together
- bringing Holy Communion when appropriate
- sharing the weekly parish bulletin
- passing along parish news and upcoming events
- bringing small items or practical help when needed
- offering conversation, companionship, and reassurance
These actions may seem simple, but they can make a profound difference. They help a person know that they are not alone and still belong to the parish community.
Bring This Initiative to Your Parish
Always Our Parishioners is an invitation to be the face of Christ and the face of the Church for those who are sick, isolated, homebound, or dying.
If your parish would like to learn more or begin planning, we invite you to reach out.