Simon of Cyrene Visitation Group

hands of friendship

   

1.   WHO ARE WE?   We are a voluntary pastoral care group.  We visit older people in our parish who are homebound, sick or living alone.  Those who visit are called ‘Visitors’ and those whom we visit are called ‘Friends’.   

                                                                                                 

2.   WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF THE SOCIETY? Our Simon of Cyrene Society is newly formed, but has as its inspiration the original Simon of Cyrene Society in the Parish of St. Laurence O’Toole, Kilmacud.  The Kilmacud group was established in 2000, and now has 44 active Visitors serving that parish.  It has a wealth of experience and we are working very closely with it in the running of our own Society.

 3.   REASONS FOR OUR VISIT

We visit people to offer companionship and friendship.  We listen, we share, we hear and we care.                

 4.   PLACE OF VISIT

At the request of the Friend, the visit can be in their home, a nursing home or hospital.                                                   

5.   WHO WILL VISIT YOU?  When you indicate that you would like a Visitor, a member of our team (a Co-ordinator)  will call to have a chat with you about our Society and to get to know you a little.  Following this visit we then look to find a suitable Visitor for you.  This is someone whom we think you will get on well with and who might share similar interests to yourself.

 6.   WHAT IS OUR STRUCTURE?                                                                                                                                                                                    We work as a Ministry of the Parish Council of   St. Anthony’s Parish.  The roles within the Society are as follows                                                             

  • Chairperson                                                        
  • Secretary                                                                   
  • Co-ordinators                                                                 
  • Visitors – members who visit in the community                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

7.   LINKS TO ST. ANTHONY’S PARISH                                                                                                                                                                  Visitors can help Friends get access to parish services, activities or events, which they might like to use or participate in, such as the following:                                                                                                               

  • A visit by a Minister of the Eucharist
  • A visit from a priest                                                            
  • Information on the radio link for Mass                                                      
  • Activities or parish events where they could be included.                    

 

8.   DURATION OF VISIT                                                                                                                                                                                                    The visit is normally for an hour’s duration either weekly or bi-weekly.  Ideally the visit takes place at the same time and on the same day ongoing.  

 

9.   INTERESTED?   If you think you might like a visit, you can contact the Parish Secretary at 01 833 3459.