Families, friends and organizations are using new ways to connect in this era of physical (don’t call it social) distancing, and the Renaissance Senior Ministry out of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in Gibbsboro is no exception.
Now in its third year of existence, the ministry has brought seniors together twice a week to the parish,for fellowship to “break the cycle of isolation” of senior citizens which can lead to loneliness and depression, said Deacon Gerard J. Jablonowski, director of the Diocese’s VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services when announcing the opening of the center.
In the current lockdown, isolation for seniors is even more pronounced, with individuals confined to their own homes and separated from their loved ones.
To keep the fellowship alive, the Renaissance Center three weeks ago began Zoom meetings for its seniors on Tuesday mornings, with much success.
“We had 25 seniors on our first meeting,” said Tese Hemschoot, director of the Saint Andrew’s Senior Ministry.
Early technological issues, from accessing email to receiving Zoom invites or learning how to turn on camera microphones, turned out not to be deterrents. Instead, these problems brought them closer together.
“They helped each other with connecting to Zoom. Our seniors are smart; they stepped up to the plate,” Hemschoot says.
These meetings “show the wonderful spirit of community that our Parish Senior Day Centers create at the parish and the intensity of their drive to stay connected even when apart,” said Deacon Jablonowski.
“We at VITALity are so pleased to support these programs at our parishes, knowing how they bring life to the fullest to so many of our seniors.”
The weekly sessions usually last two hours, with the first 60 minutes devoted to Bible study or a fun activity like trivia, while the second half of the meetings are time to chat and catch up.
The director says that when the seniors are together on Zoom, “they put on their nice clothes, and the women wear lipstick; they’re so happy to see each other. Whenever they see another friend enter the chat, they all cheer.”
Carol Antonelli, a 70-year-old widow and parishioner, has been a regular to the Senior Ministry and before the current quarantine she volunteered in the ministry kitchen, preparing breakfast and lunch for her peers.
She said the group is “welcoming and supportive, with infectious laughter.”
“This ministry is exactly what I needed,” she added.
Living by herself, she finds comfort in the Zoom meetings, and the semi-regular visits (through glass) by her two daughters, who visit and drop off groceries. Still, like most people, she misses certain connections.
“I miss hugging my four grandchildren,” she said. “I FaceTime with them every day, though.”
So, until a sense of normalcy returns to everyday life, Antonelli, like the rest of society, is relying on digital connections with friends and family, for support, comfort and love.
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