As a resource for our volunteers, I decided to make the e-Book version of “Nursing Home Ministry the Heart of Jesus Christ” available for free this weekend. Though the story began thirty-five years ago, the calling and needs remain unchanged. When we think of the call of Jesus to go into all the world, most of us imagine foreign fields, refugee camps or feeding the homeless. But right in our communities lies a field almost as foreign as the farthest corners of the earth. Just down the street there are people who are separated from the everyday world we live in. Statistics tell us that 65% of those in long-term-care will not receive a single visit from a friend or family member throughout an entire year. If you have ever wondered, what you could do or how you might be able to get started: I offer some simple steps and guidelines to help you along your journey. You might say, “That’s just not my ministry.” and you might be entirely correct. But then think of John as He stood at the cross. He was not only one of the twelve apostles, called to be the foundation of the church, but also five books of the New Testament bear His name. He did go into all the world, but at the cross when Jesus saw Him standing next to Mary, He asked one more thing of Him: “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. So, remember that some of our mothers, and fathers and sisters and brothers are living at those nursing homes. Let’s make the time to stop and see them, hold their hand, say a prayer, bring a gift, give a kiss and then take them into the home of our hearts.