By Jessy Joseph
New Delhi, March 26, 2024: A Catholic church in Kerala was recently transformed into a makeshift hospital to help elderly and bedridden people participate in religious services during the Lent.
The St Joseph’ Church parish in North Chalakudy under the Irinjalakuda diocese on March 15 brought to the church some 90 elderly people to honor and recognize them. They included 15 bedridden and three on wheelchairs.
The program was to “reassure our elders and the sick that they are not alone, and that we are committed to standing by their side,” said parish priest Father Joseph Thekkethala.
He said the event was organized by the parish’s social action wing and the Hrudaya Palliative Care, a diocesan center.
“We want to tell them that they are not forgotten,” Father Thekkethala told Matters India March 25 over phone.
He said the elderly are not to be shunned but “embraced as living signs of God’s abundant goodness, imparting wisdom and experience to those around them.”
Volunteers went to the home of the elderly with vehicles to bring them to the church. Some were transported in the ambulance while others came by different vehicles.
Sunny Antony Payyappilly, vice president of the parish social action wing, said homebound seniors often experience social isolation, leading to feelings of loneliness. “They feel they are marginalized. It is our duty to ensure they feel supported and valued,” the lay leader added.
Payyappilly says it is society’ collective responsibility to care for its elderly, recognizing them as valuable treasures. “The elderly deserve our unwavering support and companionship,” he added.
Annie Joseph expressed joy that she could attend the church after a long time. The 77-year-old woman has been confined to bed because of back and neck problems.
Her son Leo Joseph said his mother can’t sit for even half an hour, even with the support of a back and neck belt. “However, she spent half a day in the church to attend the program. She was also delighted to meet people of her own age and participate in the Holy Mass and sacraments, her son,” Joseph told Matters India.
The parish priest said the program helped the elderly to interact with people of their age. “Some of them are friends, but can’t meet with each other due to old age problems,” he explained.
The parish, established in 1975, began conducting the program during the Lenten Season in 2016 and continued it until the Covid-19 lock down in 2020.
The revived program this year included Mass, confession, Eucharistic adoration and lunch. The organizers also arranged gifts for the elders.
They are all blessed with rock-like faith. The elderly keep the church alive in the Global North, Global South, Global East and the Global West.