Our pastoral care ministry brings the compassionate presence of Christ to our parish community with emotional, social, mental, physical, or spiritual needs. In the Ignatian spirit of accompaniment, this ministry seeks to meet people where they are, offering presence, prayer, and practical support in times of need.
Examples of pastoral care include:
- Visiting and accompanying the sick, homebound, or members of our senior community
- Offering meals and support to those in need
- Companioning those at the end of life
- Supporting individuals through life transitions and related emotional, mental, or spiritual challenges
- Providing relevant resources and education
Pastoral care is one of the most personal and vital ways the Body of Christ continues the healing mission of Jesus. While our pastoral staff provides leadership in this area, the ministry of care belongs to all the baptized. In our large and growing parish, Small Faith Communities and individual parishioners often accompany one another in powerful and informal ways, grounded in the hope and healing that comes through Christ.
This ministry focuses on bringing the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to parishioners who are unable to attend Sunday Mass because of illness or being homebound. Contact us at homecommunion@bellarminechapel.org to request the sacrament.
Home Communion Ministers offer a way to share the Gospel, provide the Eucharist, and help those who are homebound feel connected to the parish community. If you are interested in becoming a Home Eucharist Minister, please contact the Pastoral Care staff at pastoralcare@bellarminechapel.org.
The Senior Adult Ministry designs, develops and coordinates programs and support services, in collaboration with Bellarmine Chapel parish ministries and community organizations and assists with the spiritual, educational and social needs and interests of the older population in our community. Please click this link to find out more ways to connect with this vibrant ministry. The Senior Adult Ministry offers various programs throughout the year. Check the bulletin regularly for upcoming events.
Click here to watch previous Senior Adult video programs
Resources for Seniors
Click here to access a list of local resources for aging adults prepared by the Senior Adult Ministry.
Bellarmine Meal Ministry is a cohort of parishioners providing meals to fellow parishioners and friends of Bellarmine in need due to illness, childbirth, or other temporary circumstances. Needs are managed by email and sign-ups occur through the website Meal Train. There are no expectations for how often or seldom you volunteer, and no meetings! Contact: mealministry@bellarminechapel.org.
Various parish ministries, including our Youth Ministry and Marriage Enrichment, welcome the assistance of parishioners to prepare full meals for groups participating in events at various times. Home-cooked meals are an appreciated contribution. Contact: eventmeals@bellarminechapel.org.
Our Pastoral Ministry staff offers compassionate support to families seeking to pre-plan a funeral or upon notification of a death. We contact the family to assist with funeral planning at the Chapel or the family’s home guided by a planning template to select readings, songs, and roles for the liturgy. We create a customized worship aid according to the family’s wishes, and are present at the service to support any liturgy-related needs that arise. Our staff is ready to assist you with both advance funeral planning and arrangements following the loss of a loved one. To schedule a funeral planning meeting, please contact: funerals@bellarminechapel.org.
The Bellarmine Bereavement Ministry includes dedicated volunteers who support families on funeral days. They assist with setup in the narthex, greet guests, distribute worship aids, and help with various liturgical roles during the service as needed. This group also handles clean-up afterward and operates on short notice, often on weekday mornings. Bereavement Volunteers provide meaningful comfort to those who are mourning and a warm welcome to attendees unfamiliar with Bellarmine Chapel. Contact: funerals@bellarminechapel.org.
Our Pastoral Care team is in a time of prayerful discernment in this season of our parish life about how we might best accompany those who are grieving. As this ministry unfolds, we invite you to explore this collection of local grief support resources thoughtfully compiled by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.