Ministries of Mercy - Visitation at 6363 9th Avenue North, Saint Petersburg, FL 33710 US - Pastoral Care Volunteers Serve the Sick and Homebound

In 2006, Bishop Robert N. Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg began the Ministries of Mercy initiative to support and foster parish ministries that serve the poor, suffering, and marginalized. The initiative focuses on five areas where the need is the greatest: food & clothing, shelter, life, visitation, and health. With the help of volunteers, the Ministries of Mercy are currently serving in various parishes and the following story highlights the Pastoral Care volunteers of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church serving the elderly through the sick and homebound luncheon.

Karen Heaphy, Pastoral care coordinator at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, shares with the volunteers a story of a man who visited their parish several years to attend their sick and homebound luncheon. She says he felt it was a blessing to be able to participate, and before passing away, he requested that his family hold his funeral Mass at the parish because he felt so at home there.

On the second Thursday of every month, Espiritu Santo hosts a sick and homebound luncheon for 85-100 individuals from nursing homes and hospices. Before the luncheon, the individuals attend Mass where they are greeted by volunteers and assisted to their seats. Meanwhile 20-25 volunteers gather in the parish hall to cook a meal, set up tables, and prepare music for them.

This month, spaghetti and meatballs are on the menu. Corinne Steinhardt, who has volunteered for three years, is in charge of the kitchen. She says she took over the duties after the pastor asked for help. “I stepped up to help and brought my friends along because the elderly deserve a luncheon,” she says. “Everyone has a good time; it’s very positive and spiritual.”

Maureen Cambier, and Jean Rukamb, are friends of Corinne and have helped her in the kitchen about a year. They say they came on board because they saw their friend needed help and that serving a meal for the elderly makes them feel good.

Marie Burke, another volunteer, has been preparing beverages at the luncheon for twelve years. She fills up carts with iced tea and coffee so the elderly can be served at their tables. She says she feels God has blessed her in life and this is her way of saying “thank you Jesus”.

In the parish hall, more parishioners led by Marion Rocha volunteer their time to set up the tables. They cover them with pink tablecloths, homemade placemats decorated by the Religious Education and school students, flower arrangements supplied by Corinne, and prayer cards made by the children of Jean Urban, the parish nurse who also volunteers her time at the luncheon in case a medical situation occurs.

After Mass, the elderly are led into the parish hall and are greeted by the volunteers. “Please Release Me”, by Eddie Miller plays for them in the background as they make their way to the tables. The music is played on an electronic keyboard by Wally and James George, who have volunteered their music talents at the luncheon for seven years. “We play oldies songs for the elderly to bring a little sunshine into their lives,” they say. “This is our way of giving back to the church.”

Karen explains the elderly enjoy the soft music and that they sometimes dance. She also notes that they like the luncheon because it gives them an opportunity for fellowship. And regarding the volunteers, she says she is grateful for their service and feels that they are “Living Eucharist to others.”

To read about other life ministries, the Ministries of Mercy, and to find a ministry near you in need of donations and volunteers, click on the "where can I serve" search in the  menu bar above. To volunteer your time at Espiritu Santo, contact the parish office at (727) 726-8477. In addition to the luncheon, Pastoral Care volunteers visit the sick and homebound in their homes and in nursing homes and bring them Holy Communion.




l-r: Wally and James George have volunteered their music talents at Espiritu Santo’s sick and homebound luncheon for seven years.












Marie Burke has been preparing beverages at the sick and homebound luncheon, held at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, for twelve years.