In respecting life, we also concentrate on “the forgotten persons”, such as, the weary caregiver, the disadvantaged youth, the elderly pensioner, the homeless, the hungry, the imprisoned felon, the struggling immigrant, and the poor. In a particular way, we focus our attention on caregivers.  They deserve our concern and support because caregiving is a fundamental part of our faith, and is deeply rooted in Catholic spirituality. The Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops encourages us to "… never tire of serving the vulnerable and their caregivers with generous hearts.”  Also, they tell us that we “…have the awesome power to inspire heroic, sacrificial love from their family members and caregivers – a power that can lead to the sanctification of those who care for them.” 

Caregiving, despite the physical, emotional and intellectual challenges involved, can be filled with grace. We deepen our own spiritual lives when we love and serve others.

If you are taking care of a spouse, aging parent, or child or sibling with special needs, there is free caregiver support available to you.  Locally, our OASIS program offers a program with a broad range of social services for seniors 65 years or older who are in need of assistance, and is highly focused on respite care for caregivers.  An international Catholic organization, the Friends of St. John the Caregiver also addresses the growing needs of caregivers by providing:

• spirituality, information and resources to individual caregivers,
• training and educational material to dioceses and parishes,
• a membership association, www.FSJC.org offers spiritual support for those who need care, those who give care and those who assist others giving care.  (There are no membership dues. No meetings! All they ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those receiving care.)
• Other helpful websites include:www.CatholicCaregivers.com, www.YourAgingParent.com

What better choice than the caregiver Christ chose from the cross for his own mother?

St. John, patron of caregivers, pray for us.

St. John the Evangelist