As society faces a myriad of issues associated with increasing numbers of ageing, the all important priestly services of accompanying the sick and dying are taking on a greater importance.
The ageing of the population has coincided with a shortage of priests, casting a shadow on visitations, comfort and administering the last rites. “The baby boomers of 1945 are well into their 60s now and the ageing of our population is going to become more critical. Then, of course, we are going to have to double our efforts to visit them,” Father Anthony Maher OMI told The Record.
Fr Anthony, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, has worked in parish ministry around the country for 30 years. He is now the parish priest of St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle.
“When people get old they often get very lonely,” he said. “Most of their friends and family have died, so to have the priest visit is very important to them, it reassures them of their faith.
“Sometimes you’re the first priest in their home and it’s amazing how much people appreciate it.”
He said many priests find it hard to visit the elderly because “it takes them out of their comfort zone” but they know the work is vital.
“My friend Fr Jeff Aldous, parish priest at Baldivis, says ‘visitation in general is the Eighth Sacrament’,” he said.
For Fr Jeronimo Flamenco Castillo, Catholic chaplain at Royal Perth Hospital, visiting the elderly can be difficult or sad but it is also a privilege. “An 86-year-old lady died by herself recently as she had no family here in Australia,” he said.
When he was sitting by her bedside “the lady touched me and I felt like crying. We are responsible not just for the young and energetic, but for everyone including the elderly – salvation is for everyone.”
Another experience of the 37-year-old El Salvadorian struck a similar chord.
“An elderly woman asked me, ‘Father, what did I do wrong?’ She came to Australia for her children, then they put her in a nursing home. I felt very sad,” Fr Castillo said. “But it inspired a homily – ‘how do you feel if someone rejects you?’ But God never rejects anyone.”
While stories of loneliness are common, there was also humour in pastoral care of the sick and dying, and some inspiration too, Fr Anthony said.
“I went to see someone who was dying so I gave him the sacraments. I went to see his wife afterwards and she said, ‘Father, you know my husband’s not a Catholic?’
“So I asked the man if he wanted to be Catholic and he said ‘yes’. I confirmed him and visited for 10 days. He died a very beautiful death. He was very happy.”
Without the fountain of youth, death is a certainty – and the reason the Church provides the last rites.
“The ‘last rites’ are the final preparation, moving from one life to the next. People like the comfort of receiving it, not just the sick person but family members too. It is a reminder of the presence of God,” Fr Anthony told The Record.
While it can bring particular solace to have a priest present at that time, a hello and chat over a cup of tea also provide joy and comfort.
“Not everyone has the calling to work with the elderly,” Fr Jeronimo says, “but the key is to listen.”
Norma Pizzino, 75, of Good Shepherd Parish, Kelmscott, said, “I was very happy for Fr Francis to visit and enjoy lunch with my family and me. Some priests don’t like to come because they are busy, then I feel sad.”
“Nowadays you’ve got one priest doing what three used to do, but even busy priests have to make time. I enjoy visiting the elderly,” said Fr Anthony.
Despite society’s ageing, priests continue to do their best, visiting with comforting words and making time so those they are visiting know someone does care.
“Life is so beautiful,” said Fr Jeronimo. “It is a gift from God and it goes back to God.”