I Have Done It At Last!

[gness]

When I started to worry about my mother's mind....about twelve years ago, I had a feeling she was lying to me or confused about attending Mass every day as she had always done.
I asked her parish priest to please keep an eye on her and let me know if she was missing Mass and all the other things she had been involved in during her sixty years at the same church. Mother's Union....Legion of Mary....etc..
He refused....because of the privacy laws and data protection....he said.

When she went into a home in Desborough about eight years ago I phoned to tell him saying she'd like a visit and communion.....I was told Corby did not look after Desbrorough.....I should contact a priest in Kettering....he wasn't prepared to travel to Desborough.
She didn't want this....she wanted her own priests she said...the ones she knew from her parish. (She didn't like the Kettering lot as she called them.)

When I tried again my request was refused but I was invited to tea to see if I could be persuaded to return to the fold.... :-)

I gave it another go today by email.....a long email.....and had a reply from a new priest I think....
He'll be more than happy to visit her..... :-)

Not only that......he has given me a blessing for Easter! x

[gness]

I think typical Catholic priest rather than typical man, Conne.....

None of my male friends or relatives would behave in such a mean and uncaring way.......but he's not heard the last of me.....I think the Bishop is the next step.... :-)

[Cloverjo]

Jeez, again. I'm not surprised you're angry.

[gness]

I can't understand it, Jo......I told him why I so wanted a priest from her church....someone who knew about her...her work and family to visit......
Little reminders can sometimes help, for a short time I know, but help folk with Alzheimer's...even a familiar voice from the past...
There are many, both clergy and parishioners, who knew her....

Anyway, I've sussed out the Bishop.....then I suppose it's onto The Pope.... :-)

[Caran]

Onwards and upwards gness, you can do it!

[gness]

One way or another I will, Caran.....I will have a priest and a parishioner from her church visit her....
I hope that somewhere inside her it registers and means something because it will mean nothing to me now....x

[Caran]

Gness you are the catalyst that makes things happen.
Be proud and stand up for what you feel is right, as you always do.

[gness]

I shall, Caran......off to bed now my mind has settled.......x

[woofgang]

gness I am so sorry that you are having to fight for something that should be done without a second thought. I think that church officials sometimes forget that their god is supposed to embody love and loving kindness

[gness]

Thanks, Woof. I am so disappointed....I'd thought their refusal to visit her before was a blip but it seems not. She's now in a town looked after by Kettering so her sixty years of devotion to her own church means nothing.
I can't believe that they're not even asking about her....neither the clergy nor the parishioners she did so much for.

[sunny-dave]

I think I'd go with "Disappointed, but not surprised" as a reaction - and it's not just the Catholics that seem very variable in how well they support "pillars of the church" once they are no longer useful.

My Father was pretty much cast adrift by the local nonconformists when (after many, many years) he was no longer able to play the organ for them - very upsetting for him.

But, in contrast, some years later (and in a different city) my Mum had endless support and help from both the clergy and congregation when she in turn needed help and friendship.

[gness]

Not just me then, Dave...so sad.

I had a noodle around and found a picture of the priest the Corby one wants to send to my mum.......he looks a lot like Harold Shipman....

With my luck he'd be bending over her when she had a rare lucid moment......and who would she blame for her dying of fright?

Me.... :-(