Hello fellow St Paul parishioners. I am a member of the Respect Life Ministry here at St Paul’s. Hopefully, you are aware of the success of our recent Baby Shower project – collecting baby items for the mothers and their children supported by St Gerard’s Center For Life. Well, that’s just one aspect of our ministry.
Another aspect is enhancing the dignity and quality of life for our elderly, especially for those who may be alone and need assistance in helping them get through their daily lives. My wife, my son, and I visit with the residents at Ledgecrest Health Care Center, right here in Kensington, every Sunday after the 9:00am Mass.
We sometimes bring Holy Communion, but most Sundays, we just stop in for a quick half-hour visit. We don’t know most of the names, but we know the faces and many of them know us. We spend about 30 minutes walking around the center, greeting the folks with a quick “how’s your week been” or “what a beautiful spring day it is today” – really anything that will catch their attention and possibly engage them in some conversation or small-talk. We are sometimes the only visitors that they ever have, and for many, it seems to bring a little happiness and brightness into their day. 
We would like to invite you to join us in this half hour on a Sunday of your choice, between 10:00am and 11:00 am. We will be happy to have you go around with us and greet the residents. And just watch their eyes light up when they see kids come through the hallways. It’s a simple way to show Christian respect for our elderly citizens and give them the dignity that they deserve. Moreover, it can serve as a valuable teaching tool for our kids by providing them with a great opportunity to demonstrate their respect for the lives of our elderly – sometimes with just a simple “Hello”.
As Christians, this is the type of thing Jesus calls us to do. Love your neighbor as yourself. If you’re interested, please contact Mark at 860-666-0162, or at m.duplin@cox.net .