When I was asked me to write an article on how ministry has changed for me over the years I immediately thought of my Sweet Pea Ministry which developed quite by chance.
As I reflected on the topic of changed ministry, I realized that the essence of the ministry has not changed but the expression has. The values and skills I used, first as a teacher, then as a Director of a House of Prayer and as a Pastoral Assistant have found new expression as I age. Prayer, presence, listening and encouragement have been central to ministry for me and as I age, they continue to be at the core of my outreach to others.
When I retired, I had all sorts of dreams about what outreach I would do in my "official retirement" as Pastoral Assistant. Then life happened: my only sibling, Roger, was diagnosed with heart problems, I spent time caring for him and then I got cancer and a few years later Roger was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The journey with Roger was the hardest in my life. as we supported him through death to new life. Life continues and I found myself with more time to reach out to others and that has been most enriching.
Prayer is a large part of my day, and I consider it part of my ministry. Folks often ask me to pray for them and their loved ones. Often, after listening to people and their concerns I ask them if they would like me to pray for them and their loved ones and the answer is always yes. Prayer for our fragile world also is a good part of my prayer time.
Presence to others, looking at them, taking time to listen to their joys and difficulties is integral. I do a lot of that, at stores, in my apartment building and visiting others. I visit folks with dementia and have learned to just be present and to talk with them as we enter in and out of reality.
My Sweet Pea Ministry arose from gardening in garden boxes on the large deck in my apartment building. The first year I moved in I planted sweet peas and shared them with folks. The next year, Diane, who lived down the hall from me and had diabetes, asked me to take over one of her garden boxes and to just plant sweet peas. I was surprised but did what Diane asked. That August when the sweet peas bloomed, I gave Diane the first bouquet. Diane was delighted. Every four days I would pick a fresh bouquet and bring it to her apartment and visit with her.
She enjoyed the fragrant sweet peas so much as she lay in bed with her ulcerated diabetic feet up. The next year Diane had to move to a care centre. I would visit her there and bring her sweet peas.
Diane died two days after I brought her her last bouquet of sweet peas. Diane asked me to lay them by her pillow so she could take in the fragrance she loved so much. For the last four years I have continued giving bouquets of sweet peas to folks and am always met with delight and sometimes tears from those who receive them and a visit.
Other outreach has developed over the years. After Mass on Sundays, I bring Holy Communion to 91-year-old Nora, and pray and visit with her. I visit the sick in the apartment, in care homes and palliative care and to a mentally ill person on the phone. I lead Liturgy of the Word and Communion Services at one of our large care centres and lead burial services when asked. I do some Spiritual Direction and try to keep in touch with folks, our Sisters included - by phone, email and cards. I find just listening to folks such as friends and store workers, being present to them and giving them encouragement in life's joys and difficulties enriching and am always open to new adventures with folks.
-Sister Lynn Rouleau, CSJ
Image: Annie Spratt/Sixteen Miles Out/Agnese Rudzīte Unsplash