“We care for the elderly poor in the spirit of humble service which we have received from Jeanne Jugan. We welcome the elderly as we would Jesus Christ Himself and serve them with love and respect until death.”
The Little Sisters of the Poor, founded by St Jeanne Jugan, began work in Manchester in 1862, they opened their home on Plymouth Grove in 1980. Their mission statement (above) describes their work.
Our Posada figures traditionally go to Mass in the Chapel of the home on the first Monday of Advent. #Posada2018 kept the tradition. Fr Pat and the sisters made us very welcome. As we entered the rosary was being said. We immediately felt immersed in the flow of prayer going on there, and around our world.
As we waited for the beginning of Mass more residents came to worship. Others who wished would join in through the sound being relayed to their rooms. We felt we saw God at work in the gentle sensitive manner of the carers and sisters towards the very elderly. The residents were carefully guided in and made comfortable, one elderly priest had a stole gently placed on his shoulders by a Muslim carer – a lovely gesture.
Our Posada figures rest beneath the lectern in St Joseph’s Chapel
The chapel itself brought peace and gentleness, the order and simple colour was calming and restful. We felt we were in God’s time, apart, for a while from the busyness of the outside world.
God felt very close; close in the simple faith expressed by those present, close in the beauty of the place, close to those advanced in years. We had a feeling of God’s love through all life, to the end and beyond. We felt that this was indeed a place of ‘love and respect.’
Where can you find calm and peace apart from the busyness in your life? Have you a place in your home, a place nearby, a special place, where you can pause and find peace?
St Chrysostom's Church News and Views 