“Archbishop Vincent Nichols: elderly are ‘not a burden but a gift’”

The archbishop is absolutely correct.  In the more general sense of the Commandment “Honor thy parents,” when we “honor” the elderly we are “honor[ing]” our parents.

The secularists who want to abandon the elderly, especially some in favor of universal health care schemes that triage the elderly, are in favor of supporting euthanasia of the ‘bothersome’ elderly through intentional neglect.

Personally, after about 15 years of elder care activity during which we have tended to the needs of my wife’s mother and aunt and now are tending to the needs of my mother, my wife and I feel spiritually enriched by the experiences that we have had and the sharing that we have been part of.

We also participate, as a team, in assisting our parish vicar with bringing the Eucharist to a local adult home each Sunday.  We consider the residents of that home to be members of our congregation and of our personal extended family.  This is our part of our parish’s non-secular expression of “inclusiveness.”

An update to my comment #1.  It has to do with my personal situation but it has personal relevance for all of us.

My mother, 100 years and 11 months of age passed peacefully today at the Eastern Star Home in Oriskany, NY.

She lived a full life of Christian witness through her belief and her personal conduct. 

Being of primarily Scottish-Canadian ancestry with a Tory ancestor from the American Revolution thrown in, she displayed her conviction of heart and soul towards those less fortunate than her with strength of Christian belief and character and a deep love for her her three sons whom she raised all by herself when she was widowed at the age of 39 years.

We conducted a Litany for the Dying and then the Dead at her bedside.

She now rests with Jesus.

I pray that all of the elderly, whether at home or in a care facility, will have their family and friends beside them in their time of need for prayer.  Whether this “time” is that of their passing or that of their need for love and care during their mortal lives.