What does a priest do, who has no immediate family members, when he finds himself in the hospital?  Who manages his medicine and files insurance papers on his behalf when he is physically unable to do it? Who attends to his needs when he’s at home recuperating and unable to get out of bed?

Handmaids and Servant Sons of Mary, the Helper is an organization, whose purpose is to fulfill these much-needed services for our hospitalized or convalescing priests – and they are looking for new members.

“The interesting thing about this ministry is that our services are needed sporadically – that is, only when priests are ill and need our help,” said Theresa Catteruccia, founder of the organization.  “We may not do anything for six months or so, and then all of the sudden, there’s three priests in the hospital at one time.”

The current members consist of a retired medical doctor, three nurses, an accountant, a social worker and other professionals who are offering their services.

“But members don’t necessarily have to be professionals in their field,” said Catteruccia, “although having certain backgrounds is very helpful.  We just need dedicated, dependable people who can be there when we need them.”

“When a nurse sits with a priest in the hospital she/he acts as a patient advocate.  The nurse understands medical conditions, medical tests, medications and most important, the operations of the hospital,” said Kathleen Lacour, an RN and a Handmaid member.  “She knows how to acquire, through proper channels, anything the priest wants to know or needs.”

Other times, having a nurse in the room is not as important as just having someone in the room to sit with the priest – whether it be quietly, or praying or reading aloud.

In the event of a prolonged illness, a person with a financial background may be helpful at calculating and paying estimated quarterly estimated tax payments, reconciling checking accounts to bank statements, paying medical bills and filling insurance forms.

But it doesn’t take an accounting degree to pay bills when they are due, to make deposits at the bank, or even to write thank you notes for flowers or other gifts the priest may have received while in the hospital. These services are greatly needed and appreciated.

Finally, the group offers its services to a priest convalescing at home.  People are needed to cook meals, clean the house, wash clothes, make phone calls and even simple things like answering the phone so the patient can sleep.

The group meets on the third Saturday of every month.  There are no fees, but members must be Catholic, and are encouraged to have a personal prayer life.

The organization was formed in 2003 as a women’s group called the Handmaids of Mary, the Helper and later,  incorporated men into the group as Servant Sons of Mary, the Helper.

For more information, contact Theresa Catteruccia at 318-640-1378.