Group+B

=Group B=

Please keep in mind that only one person can edit this page at a time. It is recommended that each of you choose a colour of font and use the same one throughout.

As you work on your social action project (committed to 12 hours of dedicated time to giving service to others) plus responding in a Wiki format with your group of three, you will answer the following question: In light of your understanding of ministry, what does it mean to minister to others through your project? You will share your thoughts and observations and actions of setting up to kinds of things you did to what you observed or saw to the final pieces of your project. At the end of your project (Dec. 2 or what you have completed thus far), your group will come up with a group response to what is ministry based on your social action journey.

Let's start answering this question    tonight.

//What does it mean to you to minister to others? What is ministry?//  By: Chrissy K. I think what it means to minister to others is to give of yourself for other people who are in some kind of need, whether they realize it or not. It is taking your God given gift(s) and applying it in such a way as to provide a service to others. For example, I have a lot of compassion and sympathy for others within myself. For this project I was originally planning to go somewhere such as the foodbank, as well as tote my daughter with me to gain some experience herself. I may still do this this year, but not for these purposes. Instead, what changed my mind was when I was picking up my baby from my girlfriend's house (she looks after her for me when I work part-time) and a couple doors down lives an elderly neighbour (who I happen to know since at one point I lived a couple doors down). She was sitting on her front porch as I was driving by and since I hadn't seen her in a while I pulled a U-y and stopped in for a quick visit. She was trying to make the decision as to whether she should more to a retirement centre. I asked why she hadn't begun the research for it yet (she's up there in years and has begun falling periodically, as well as the fact that she's in a 2 storey home). She replied that it was because her children have not helped her with it. Well, I decided I would help her with this project. As of late, I've researched and spoken with 12 centres and have received information, as well as visiting one of the homes. Now that I have the information, this Wednesday, I'll begin the process of going over all of it with her. And trust me, there's A LOT!!! I didn't realize how many things you have to consider when making this decision.

I'll be taking her to church with me on Sundays. She doesn't drive and otherwise has not a way to attend. Otherwise I plan simply to visit with her on a regular basis. We get along well. Since I've moved from this street a year ago, my conscience has been nagging at me not to leave her behind. And I never wanted to, but there's always something going on in life and it just sort of happens. Here now, I've pledged to make the committment. Something not that I've just realized about ministry, but know that it must happen when endeavouring this is the committment involved. This is not simply a 12 hour project. We're dealing with a human being who is going through a difficult time, making a difficult decision with very little support. No matter what is decided on her part, I've made the decision to be in it for the long-haul.

So that's where I stand thus far. Since we must log hours for the purpose of the course, I currently am at 7.5. Cheers, See you all on Tuesday! :)

OCTOBER 30TH 2008: CHRISSY K. I've since visted with my neighbour a couple of times just for a chat. When I asked her about going to church with our family, she indicated that she wasn't too sure about the idea. I admit, I was a little surprised. I guess I just had the impression that elderly Catholic people always want to go to church. But what I have since learned is that when presenting her with an idea that is new to her, it takes her a couple of weeks to let the idea sit with her before she acts on it. So I ended up taking her with us last Sunday. And she was very willing and willing to help out with my baby daughter as well. Hopefully this is something she wants to continue. Since the last entry, in class we spoke a lot about ministry. In particular what resonated with me was the difference between volunteer and ministering. I really challenged myself with this question. Is what I am doing with my neighbour volunteering my time or is it truly ministering? And I have to admit, I have had a difficult time discerning the answer. What gifts am I bringing to this experience? My time, my compassion, my love. Basically, I think if I see something wrong happening around me and there's something I can do about it, then it is my responsibility not just as a Catholic, but as a human, to do something about it. I'm still answering in the process of the ministering question however. Bear with me. Cheers, Chrissy

NOVEMBER 18TH, 2008: CHRISSY K. For the last few weeks, I have been away for the weekends (not last weekend), nor had I been by to visit with Zelia. And the guilt had been nawing away at me, as well as my conscience constantly clawing at my insides (ok, so that was a yucky image). Anyway, I did go by and have a nice visit with her last Wednesday, which I've pretty much determined as my visiting day. It was a lovely time and we had a very nice chat. She was very willing to go along to the appointments I've booked for her at 2 retirement centres. Our first appointment is tomorrow and the next the following Wednesday. Although she's admitted that she's not ready for retirement living yet (and I certainly do not want to push her) I explained that at least this way she'll be able to get information (and a tour) firsthand and when she is ready, she'll be able to make an informed decision. My concerns lie mostly in that she has taken quite a few falls lately, has stairs in her house, does not have ready access to a nurse, needs weekly blood work, and is still supporting an adult child (rather than the other way around). Obviously I am unable to make any decisions for her (as much as I sometimes wish I could). The best I can do is to live up to my word and provide her with the necessary information and to simply be. Be there for her, as a friendly face (as well as bring around the baby, because, Lord, does she ever love babies)! Cheers, Chrissy

DECEMBER 2, 2008: CHRISSY K. Last week on Wednesday Nov. 26, I brought Zelia to Barrington Residence. We had an appointment with the marketing agent. While we were there we toured the residence and were able to speak with many of the residents. Everyone we spoke with was very friendly and genuine. I have to say that I was not fully prepared, not knowing what to expect. It was in fact a very emotional experience. Watching Zelia, I can't honestly say that she was prepared either and when we walked in there for the first hour or so I'd say it hit her like a ton of bricks that this would be a major life change should she go ahead with it. It means giving up a great deal as the living spaces are limited and you can only take a few things with you. If you are used to living in a house/apartment filled with your life's belongings, I can only imagine that this would be difficult to accept. The people we spoke to were very upfront and honest about their transitional experiences. For some the wound was still fresh and they indicated that though everyone was supportive and friendly, that this change is a hard one. For those who'd been there longer, they were certainly more accepting of the transition, and like anything else in life, you eventually get used to it. I personally can see why it would be extremely important to visit on a consistent and regular basis as support would be crucial at this time. It hurt me to watch Zelia (even though she's only considering this as an option and not actually having to go through with it) as she had to openly accept the fact that she is aging, and as an extremely independent woman most her life, having to look after and provide for her own children (as well as many of her grandchildren), this is a very vulnerable time. One of her fears was that she would be mistreated by staff when she is unable to defend herself. At least this visit did alleviate this from her mind, as all the residents did seem content and spoke warmly of the staff. I almost wonder if maybe I'd overstepped my bounds by taking her despite the fact she had originally demonstrated interest in finding out about it. Perhaps I forced her down the path, rather than simply opened the door. Was it a calling that I aid those in need? Is she really in need? Well, after thinking this through I wouldn't go back and change anything if I could. When she is ready, at least she'll have a good idea of what to expect. And we learned about services available to the elderly along the way, such as the BAC Bus, and some government services, which I am still researching. All in all, everything I've done up to this point as taken a fair amount of time researching, and being on the phone, and using the internet. All things that would have been difficult for Zelia to undertake. To top it off, I have certainly got to know her better, and because I no longer live 2 doors down from her, a valid effort has been demontrated to her that I want to be there to help her with anything, but more importantly that I want to be her friend. Chrissy K.