Care for the Elderly & Sick
Volunteers in TUC’s ministry for the elderly and sick are the living embodiment of Christ’s compassion. Their role goes beyond logistical support - they become conduits of presence, dignity, and spiritual connection.
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Core Roles of Volunteers in Elderly & Sick Care Ministry
Spiritual Support - Volunteers offer prayer, Scripture reading, and Eucharistic visits.
Companionship - They provide a consistent, caring presence - listening, conversing, and simply being there.
Practical Help - Assisting with errands, meals, mobility, or coordinating medical visits.
Emotional Care - Offering comfort during illness, grief, or isolation.
Connection to Church - They serve as a bridge between homebound individuals and the wider church community.
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Ministry of Presence: The Heart of the Role
Volunteers are not just “doing tasks” - they’re being with. In many cases, their presence affirms the worth of those who may feel forgotten. “This ministry of Pastoral Care brings Church to people”.
This includes:
Volunteers visiting homes and hospitals.
Intergenerational outreach - students befriending seniors during events.
Listening ministries - volunteers offering empathetic, nonjudgmental presence.
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Training & Boundaries
TUC asks volunteers to:
Understand confidentiality and consent.
Respect facility rules when visiting hospitals or care homes.
Know when to refer to clergy for sacraments like Anointing of the Sick.
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Spiritual Formation Through Service
Volunteers often find that this ministry deepens their own faith. Caring for the vulnerable becomes a spiritual practice - an encounter with Christ in the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40).
