Our function is to assist the residents either by wheelchair or by walking with them to the Chapel for Mass on the first Friday of the month. The Mass begins at 11:00am. As this is a retirement home, rather than a nursing home, the residents are quite animated in their participation at Mass, eagerly and vocally participating in the prayers; and they are most appreciative for the efforts of all who have volunteered to facilitate their sharing in worship.
Pathways Retirement Home is within the boundaries of St. Jerome's Parish so it became the responsibility of the Parish to look after the spiritual needs of the Catholic men and women who reside there.
We first went to Pathways when it opened in 1989 for one Catholic person, and over the years the numbers gradually increased. At the present time there are twenty-eight and has gone as high as thirty-two. Others come and go for shorter periods recuperating from surgery. Notices are given to each new resident introducing them to our Parish involvement.
Visits are made during each month and notices passed out to the residents with the dates and times of services. Any new Catholic resident receives a personal welcome from the Parish and additional printed information about St. Jerome's, as new residents are from Parishes across the City. On the first Friday of each month at 11:00 am in the Chapel at Pathways the residents celebrate the Eucharist with Father Pat Woods, St. Jerome's Pastor. Scripture readings and prayers are generally taken from the coming Sunday Mass, so that the residents are in step with the spiritual journey of the parish and the worldwide Church. There are several faithful volunteers who arrange an altar, serve the Mass, and assist the residents - some in wheelchairs - to attend. The Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated at the Mass once a year - usually in the Fall. Anointing of the Sick is of course available on an individual basis by request throughout the year. At the first Pathways Mass of Lent, ashes from the parish Ash Wednesday Mass are distributed to all residents present, and to any in their rooms who have requested them. At the Easter and Christmas Liturgies we try to have a small choir or a group of musicians to make the occasion more special. Father Pat arranges for two Masses in December - the usual one on First Friday and another later in the month closer to Christmas. Christmas cards are given from the Parish to our residents, and the Catholic Women's League of St. Jerome's accept gifts donated by members at their Christmas banquet and give some 120 gifts to Pathways for distribution to all the residents on Christmas Eve. This is a very generous and gracious ecumenical gesture by the CWL and is much appreciated by the management and all who live there.
Since the religious denomination of a person entering Pathways is not generally known it's important for the families, or anyone who knows of a Catholic person living there, to give the information to our Parish office so we can make them aware of our programme in place to meet their spiritual needs.
To set up and arrange the chairs, set the Altar and Podium for the Mass.
Go to each Catholic resident's room and remind them of the time of the Mass and reassure them that someone will come for them.
About one half (1/2) hour before Mass we each take a certain floor and assist the residents to the Chapel.
Make sure the residents are comfortable during the Mass. Keeping a jug of water and drinking glasses on hand in case someone needs a drink.
After Mass we help the residents with their walkers and those with wheelchairs back to their rooms.
A commitment of two (2) hours is required on the first Friday of the month.
If you wish to volunteer please contact the coordinator below.