Pastoral care is holistic support and compassion offered to individuals within a faith community, addressing spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. The particulars vary from church to church but often include:

• Maintaining a prayer list, for those in need or based on requests
• Visiting those home-bound or hospitalized, including but not limited to Eucharistic visits
• Providing meals or other support around significant life events
• Bereavement and grief support

At Good Sam, the pastoral care team helps with all of these. Over the summer, the team made calls to those in the directory we had not seen in church lately, to ensure that we stay connected and provide care. While some pastoral care is a deliberate and organized effort, it can also be more informal. Sometimes pastoral care is subtle, such as simply asking someone how they are and being a good listener.

I’ve heard the common phrase, “Don’t just stand there, do something,” turned around to “Don’t just do something, stand there.” This reminds us that pastoral care is often about being present to one another. You may have been offering pastoral care without realizing it, as you endeavor to be a good friend to other members at Good Sam.

I hope that we see pastoral care as the work of the whole community. Week by week, please look around. If you notice that someone has been missing, ask around or reach out to them directly to see if all is well. If you know people who are going through a difficult time or facing a challenging situation, remember to pray for them. And it’s helpful to share what you notice with me or other leaders so we can join together in our care for the community.

Blessings,
Fr. Paul