Mary Urban Keary administering the Eucharist to a Goddard House resident

All Saints members minister to
Goddard House residents

One Sunday afternoon a month, a team from All Saints Parish gathers with a group of residents, and occasionally visiting family members and friends, to praise God. The residents live at Goddard House, a skilled nursing facility in Jamaica Plain. We read the gospel, sing hymns, share communion, and pray together. The prayers include individual petitions for each resident according to their concerns. In addition to the reserve sacrament, elements from both the Celtic and Sunday morning services at All Saints are woven in. And in an attempt to provide a worshipful environment that is nourishing to all the senses, materials such as table cover, candles, cross, etc. are brought from All Saints. After the service, a social period enables a time of fellowship, and each resident receives a prayer card and a flower to take to their room as tangible reminders of the gifts of God.

Typically 15 or so patients participate each month. Many are in wheelchairs. They are welcoming to the All Saints team, sing enthusiastically, receive the Eucharist prayerfully, and are most appreciative of this service. One resident said, "I wish you could come every week."

The team members include Fran Bancroft, Mary Urban Keary, and Daphne Zhao. We are building on the good foundation of AnneMarie Ellis, Mary Dunlap and others who ministered at Goddard House. We have enjoyed getting to know the residents, and find the work of this ministry to be deeply rewarding. Worshiping with the residents and bringing them the Eucharist are tangible reminders to us that we are all members of one another; part of the Body of Christ. We are grateful to All Saints Parish for providing this opportunity to serve, and for the support of many individuals at ASP during the
planning and evaluation phases. -- Fran Bancroft

If you would like to join this ministry: There are other people whose mobility is restricted by illness and/or age who would welcome the opportunity of receiving communion in their own place of residence. With more team members, we could reach a larger number of these folks, while providing a rewarding service experience for participants. If you are interested, please contact Mary Urban Keary (mukeary@gmail.com), Fran Bancroft (fran.bancroft@verizon.net), Daphne Zhao (daphneningning@gmail.com), or the rector for more information.

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