Outreach Programs
The Church of St. Paul�s Outreach Programs are designed to instruct and empower lay parishioners to become active participants in the ever-growing need for pastoral care within the local faith community. These participants to wherever there is a need; to homes, apartments, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Telephone and greeting card ministries also serve as a reassurance of care and concern in our Outreach Programs.
The many ministries differ, but all impart reverence for the persons served. Listening skills and confidentiality are key components. There are many programs that make up the Outreach Ministry, they include:
Apostolate to the Elderly
The Director of Outreach Ministries, with the help of parish nurses and BeFrienders, visits parishioners who have varied needs. We have their needs in mind, but through experience, we also know we are served through them. Thus, it is a mutual ministry and we want to be sure no one feels they are an imposition upon us or our time.
Parish Nurses
Parish nursing is a wholistic health care ministry providing spiritually focused nursing care for individuals and families in and through the Church. The parish nurse promotes health through visitations, modeling, education, counseling, visitations, screening, referral and advocacy. A Blood Mobile Clinic and a Health Fair are held either annually or every other year. Additional supportive nursing interventions related to this wholistic ministry are a caring presence, active listening, comforting and supportive touch, prayer, and shared scripture reading.
BeFrienders
The Church of St. Paul's BeFriender program was designed and instituted through the assistance of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. It requires an intensive guidance and training sessions. They direct their ministry mostly to pastoral needs such as: death in a family, life-threatening illness, divorce, separation in marriage and other critical situations in life. For further information, please call Fr. Alan at 320-251-4831 Ext. 213.
Communion to the Homebound
Trained Eucharistic Ministers represent the church in their service of bringing Holy Communion and a brief visit with the homebound each weekend. This ministry helps the homebound feel their true linkage of membership to this faith community. Please notify the Parish Office if you, a family member or friend, are in need of this service.
Hospital Visitation
The Pastor, Pastoral Associate and Parish Nurses make pastoral visits to parishioners who are patients in the St. Cloud Hospital from Monday through Friday. Please contact the Parish Office when hospitalized.
Adult Retreat
A one day retreat is offered in March for all who are 55 years and older. Mass is optional just before the retreat, later the Sacrament of the Sick is available followed by a light lunch served at noon.
Transportation
Volunteers are available to drive the very elderly people or persons with handicaps to weekend Sunday or holiday liturgies when needed. This is also available for parish special events.
Harvest Dinner
This is a "Meal of Appreciation" for all parishioners 65 years or older, scheduled in October. Parishioners of all ages are involved in preparing and serving this dinner for our senior parishioners. Entertainment is provided and recognition of honor is given either to an individual or a couple who have been an exemplary citizen and church member.
Prayer Blankets
We express our care and supportive prayers, in the presenting of a blessed blanket to those who are seriously ill, elderly, or recovering from a major surgery. The blankets are sewn by women of the Church of St. Paul. If non-members would like to benefit from this ministry, we ask for a donation no less than $5.00 to help with the cost of materials.
Widow/ers Support Group
Widows and Widowers meet on a monthly basis to receive supportive input to help with the grieving process following the death of a spouce. Those who are more seasoned widows and widowers, remain a part of the group to give support with the newly grieving members.
Each month we will take two or three of the ministries that make up the Outreach Programs and expand upon them on our website.
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