“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) When caring for others, it is important to care for yourself. Let Jesus be your strength and rest.
“We might get discouraged. This is why we need comfort. Comfort can be found in Jesus’ sacred heart, which beats for us, always to the rhythm of those words, ‘Have courage, do not be afraid, I am here.’ “Have courage brothers and sisters, do not give up, the Lord, your God, is greater than your ills, he takes you by the hand and caresses you, he is near, compassionate and gentle. He is your comfort.” –Pope Francis
Prayer for the Caregiver to St. John, Patron of Caregivers
Beloved St. John, from the cross Jesus entrusted to you the care of His Blessed Mother. Help me and all those taking care of a loved one who is sick, elderly, disabled or frail. Pray for us, that as we go about our many caregiving duties, we may never lose sight of that truth which Christ revealed to His disciples: “Whatever you did for one of these, you did for Me.” (Matt. 25:40). Amen.
My Peace I Give to You– A Retreat for Caregivers
Be rejuvenated mentally, emotionally and spiritually with this one-day retreat that will support those who care for others professionally and at home.
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Location: National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios: 101 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Resources
Nourish for Caregivers
Nourish for Caregivers supports and empowers caregivers through the gift of faith. Join the Nourish community for free with caregivers from all over the country.
The Caregiver’s Companion: A Christ-Centered Journal to Nourish Your Soul
Nourish for Caregivers offers a companion to caregivers to guide their journey. Their book approaches caregiving not as a burden, but as an opportunity to grow and receive graces and blessings.
Friends of St. John the Caregiver
The Friends of St. John the Caregiver is an international Catholic organization addressing the growing needs of family caregivers by providing:
- Spirituality, information, and resources to individual caregivers: www.YourAgingParent.com
- Educational material to dioceses and parishes: www.CatholicCaregivers.com
- A membership association offering spiritual support for: www.FSJC.org/members_roles.html
Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones USCCB Brochure
Catholic Care for the Sick and Dying
Books
A Catholic Guide for Caring for Your Aging Parent by Monica Dobbs
A Catholic Guide to Caring for Your Aging Parent is a comprehensive guide for caregivers. Dodds insists that faith is a fundamental part of caregiving, and her approach is deeply rooted in Catholic spirituality. She shows adult children how they can love and serve their aging parents better by deepening their own spiritual lives. “Caregiving”, she says, “is a time of many grace-filled moments.”
Daily Companion for Caregivers
Serving as a caregiver for a family member, friend, or any person takes abundant wisdom, patience, courage, and the help of God. These Scriptures or quotes, reflections, and prayers for each day are for those who, by nature, circumstances, or profession, are immersed in tending to the physical, emotional, and/or financial needs of others.
May I Walk You Home? By Joyce Hutchison & Joyce Rupp
May I Walk You Home? is an invaluable resource for professional caregivers and loved ones assisting someone on their final journey home. Accompanied by the experience and empathy of hospice educator Joyce Hutchison and the wisdom and inspiration of best-selling author Joyce Rupp, readers will discover the courage necessary to embrace the struggles and rewards of this final companionship.
Pray with Me Still by Holy Cross Family Ministries
In this book, caregivers and loved ones will find Rosary meditations to soothe and nurture, plus meditations created especially for sharing with Alzheimer’s patients, offering a way to maintain or re-establish connections.
Walking the Way of the Cross for Caregivers by Michelle Laque Johnson
If you need practical, down-to-earth advice for helping your loved one carry their cross, you will find it in this award-winning book! If you are struggling to keep the faith during this difficult journey, this first-hand account of a real-life couple’s drama can help. If you are currently standing at the foot of the Cross, this story shows that you do not need to be afraid. Because if you let Him – the One who loves you more than you love yourself – will accompany you, and at times will even carry you, as you begin your own journey, Walking the Way of the Cross.