Mission

The Circle of Caring is a Ministry of St. Charles Borromeo Parish that strengthens the relationship between parishioners in need and the broader St. Charles community. The Circle reaches out to the sick, the bereaved, the homebound, and others in need to provide a helping hand and a friendly face.

Goals

The Circle of Caring has two goals: (a) to reach out to and help those in need and (b) to provide parishioners of St. Charles opportunities to help their neighbors.

Services

Homebound Ministry : Each homebound Catholic parishioner of St. Charles is entitled to receive the Eucharist each week whether on a temporary or permanent basis. First Friday visits with the Pastor or Parochial Vicar are available upon request. Other services available to the homebound are “friendly visitors”, phone call “visits”, and rides to medical appointments, Mass and other church functions.

Cards for the Homebound : Greeting cards, get well cards, and seasonal cards are sent to the homebound so that each long-term homebound person gets mail every month.

Prayer Calling Tree : The Calling Tree Coordinator places calls to Circle members who do not have e-mail to inform them of needs, prayer requests, meetings, and other Circle business.

Electronic Prayer Tree : The Electronic Prayer Tree Coordinator receives requests for prayers and posts those requests electronically on the St. Charles electronic prayer tree. Prayer Tree Members pray for the needs of others in response to requests received by e-mail or phone.

Funeral Liturgy Planning and Set Up : A Funeral Planning Coordinator works with families of the deceased to plan the funeral liturgy, prepare a program for the funeral, and oversee the church set-up for the liturgy.

Emergency Food Needs : Provide emergency meals or occasional meals to the long-term homebound.

Annual Mass of Remembrance : Each year close to the Feast of All Souls Day (Nov. 2), St. Charles has a special Mass to remember by name all parishioners who died during the year.

Retreat for the Seriously Ill : Twice a year, the Circle of Caring supports a retreat for the seriously ill at the Dominican Retreat House. Service can include cooking, serving, clean up, entertainment, or general helper.

Special Needs : All parishioners of St. Charles are encouraged to be alert to the needs of their neighbors and to bring those needs to the attention of the Circle of Caring. The Circle will respond by asking members to help out.

Information : For more information on any of these services, please consult the Parish Bulletin or the Web Site, http://www.stcharleschurch.org/ministry/circle.htm