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November 19, 2021John Wesley and the early Methodists engaged in charitable outreach through acts of compassion and justice. Methodism has continued this practice and Methodist Churches have a reputation for charity and social justice. The Salvation Army, for example, was founded by Methodists. Wesley was particularly fond of prison ministry as well as ministry to the elderly and homebound. Ideally, though, this ministry was not alone, but was a group activity. The Ordinariates would do well to also participate intentionally in group acts of compassion and justice.
On these two particular points, the familiarity with the Daily Office that the Ordinariates have gives us an expertise in providing some form of ministry wherever we are involved. The small groups that share prayer and Bible study might consider meeting at the home of an elderly shut-in in the parish, or coordinating a way to meet with them online. They might even consider meeting at a nursing home. They should be conscious about members of the parish who are hospitalized and could benefit from having prayer and community shared with them.
In our Catholic context, it is important too, that we care to the Eucharistic needs of everyone in our parish. If your parish doesn’t have one already, it should create protocols for administering communion to the sick and home-bound. If a priest, deacon, or lay instituted acolyte is unable to do this at any given time, there should be laity who are able to step in as extraordinary ministers. In both situations, if it is feasible, a small group should go along so that they can participate in some form of worship and prayer with the sick and home-bound. This is part of being in a community and parish family, bringing church to those who cannot themselves go to church.
Prison ministry is another ministry of the neglected that should not itself be neglected. It is easy at times to attempt to leave this solely to clergy who are assigned to be Catholic chaplains or visiting chaplains to prisons because only they can administer all the proper sacraments, like confession, that we might associate so closely with prison ministry. However, the reality is that prisoners need a sense of community and discipleship too. They may attempt to form this themselves with the help of the prison chaplain, but it is meaningful when others take the time and effort to be a part of it with them.
Through the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition or through Kairos Prison Ministry (a lay-led prison ministry), Ordinariate members and groups could participate in ministry to prisoners that involves the Daily Office. We might discover, that the Daily Office is something that can be of enormous benefit to prisoners. As someone with close relatives who have spent many years in prison, I can say that they will readily admit to having a lot of time on their hands and a lot of boredom. At higher security facilities where lockdowns are frequent, they may be stuck in their cells for days at a time without sunlight. Many of them are living monastic (even Trappist) lives but with danger instead of spiritual development. Gifts of our Divine Worship: Daily Office can give them a way to sanctify their time, especially through the lesser hours. Ordinariate groups will be able to share this with prisoners and instruct on how to use it. For those who are interested in it, these Ordinariate groups should be supportive of providing them with copies of the Daily Office.Methodist churches are often very eager and willing to help in the community, even with other churches or other denominations. One recent example from Oklahoma is that United Methodist congregations and organizations worked with/under Catholic Charities to aid refugees from Afghanistan arriving in Oklahoma. The Ordinariates should look for opportunities to work with Methodists in Works of Mercy for our neighbors. We strengthen ecumenical relationships and build up the Kingdom when we work together as one.
In our acts of compassion and justice, we should not overlook the laity’s ability to minister to the spiritual needs of our neighbors.
Paul Caleb Roland is an Ordinariate Catholic who writes from Oklahoma.
Resources:
Kairos Prison MinistryRelated articles by this author:
What Methodist Patrimony Brings to the Ordinariate MissionWesley’s Method Part I: Frequent Reception of Communion and the Love Feast
Wesley’s Method Part II: Frequent Prayer and the Daily Office
Wesley’s Method Part III: Form a Bible Study, Go Make Disciples
Wesley’s Method Part IV: Fasting Wednesdays, Fridays & Other Times for Sanctification
Wesley’s Method Part V: Forming Small Groups for Discipleship
Wesley’s Method Part VI: Following Christ by Works of Mercy
Wesley’s Method Part VII: Singing and a Hymnal in Every Home
Wesley’s Method Part VIII: How Field Preaching Equips the Laity to Proclaim Jesus Christ
Wesley’s Method Part IX: Holy Conferencing, Revivals, and their Ordinariate Potential
Wesley’s Method Part X: How Lay Servant Ministry Can Grow the Catholic Church
