Companions of OLOG / Pastoral care for the sick

COMPANIONS & MEMORIAL MASS: Michelina Sangregorio - HEAD and PALLIATIVE & PASTORAL CARE: Daniela Grossberndt - HEAD

In the Fall of 2000 the Parish Council of Our Lady of Grace church found a need in our community for a compassionate ministry and the Companions of Our Lady of Grace was established. The volunteers, known as the Companions, are involved in any one of the five initiatives: Palliative & Pastoral Care, Funeral Lunches, Obituary Wall and Monthly Memorial Masses:

The Pastoral Care Team is trained and certified by the Calgary Diocesan Religious Education Department, as also is the Palliative Care Team. Their mandate is to visit and give spiritual support, and bring the Eucharist to the sick or dying in long term care facilities from our parish and of the Italian community.

Funeral Lunch volunteers are a group of teams, that on a rotating basis, help bereaved families prepare lunch for mourners. This allows the bereaved families a chance to host their friends for a reception after funeral services.

Obituary Wall located in the foyer of the church informs parishioners of funerals that have taken place in our church. The family of the deceased provides the photo and obituary information. This allows our parishioners to pray for the deceased and for the bereaving families. Monthly Memorial Mass is celebrated the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM. We encourage everyone to come to the special Mass to honor, remember, and pray for our beloved dead.

Clearly, all of these Ministries are comprised of a great number of women and men who understood the importance of sharing the Eucharist and the power of pray with everyone. They are Ministries of Compassion! Please contact Michelina Sangregorio or Daniela Grossberndt if you or someone dear to you is in need of the Anointing of the Sick prior to surgery or a hospital stay, you know of anyone who is sick or homebound or in hospice and are in need of Palliative or Pastoral Care or you would like to participate as a volunteer in our rewarding Ministry.