By Br Laurens A. Woda

Diminishment is a term by the French Jesuit and philosoper, Theilhard de Chardin, that explains the spiritual dimension at the last stage of our life’s journey. Just as everything comes to an end, each one of us will be drawn to our final stage, a time of growing old and becoming frail that regularly needs special cares and supports.

I feel privileged to have spent my time over the last two semesters as a volunteer at St Vincent de Paul Nursing Home, Box Hill, Victoria. There, I clearly notice the reality of diminishment. The residents are physically weary and fragile, but some of them are very rich in faith.

It has been a wonderful time to have this special ministry at the Nursing Home. I came to realise that caring for elderly people is a vital and rewarding ministry. It actually expresses our deepest concern and love for them, and it has reminded me that elderly people deserve special attention and care.

I visit them once or twice a week, and most of the time is just simply listening to them. I found listening is the most powerful tool to get closer to them. Elderly people love to tell their stories of the past as well as happily mentioning about their kids and grandchildren. All I need to do is listen to them. Some of them are usually ready to share their painful stories of the past. Again, all I need to do is just listen to them.

Quite often we have some fun with games. Bingo is always our favourite game. I am mostly asked to organise games for them - some of them even called me “the bingo man”, which I do not mind at all.

Having done this kind of ministry brings me to these two reflective points.

Firstly, although I am not an Australian citizen, I have come to realise that caring for the frail and dependent is a social obligation to help our fellow citizens. Whether we realise it or not, by doing such minstry, we are actually participating in the civil society. Those who are in the nursing home have their right to be legally well treated by others. It is a good time for me to learn more about and understand humanity.

Secondly, as Christians, and most particularly religious missionaries, we are encouraged to share our joy with those who are desperately in need. The Church, of course has a long tradition of caring for the people who are in the last stage of their lives. The gospel story about the group of women who stayed with Jesus to the stage of his death death emphasises the strong commitment to not abandon people in their last stage of life.

It has been a blessed privilege to get involved in this aged-care ministry. It is actually a pastoral ministry that has been part of the formation program in Dorish Maru College. I have learnt many things by listening to their stories and being involved in their activities. It really enriches my pastoral knowledge as I look forward to being a religious missionary in the future.