Stewardship Minutes

Ellen Fuller

My fellow parishioners, Happy New Year!

My name is Ellen Fuller and my ministry minute is about the M. E. Cox Center for Elder Day Care, which celebrates their 30th anniversary in 2005.

Five years ago, I selected a tag for the Cox Center from the Christmas Gifts ministry. After fulfilling their modest request for a golf umbrella, which they needed for clients on rainy days, I became curious about the Center. So, I made an appointment to visit and was very impressed!

Even though I was still working then, the Cox Center’s wonderful staff was very creative in finding a way for me to volunteer. Using the “time, talent and treasure” approach to stewardship, they harnessed my limited time, with the talents of our dog, Nicoal. As a pet therapy dog, Nicoal lets me dress her up in feather boas, scarves and jewelry for fashion shows at the Center, as well as performs tricks.

Many parishioners have, or have had, loved ones benefit from the Cox Center’s programs. Originally I didn’t have a need for their services, but ultimately used my knowledge of their cost-effective caring to help a dear couple. Our friend actually became a client, after her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor and she couldn’t be left home alone, when I took him for doctor appointments. As he wished, she continued to live at home and attended the Cox Center, after he passed, until her death last year.

So, even if you don’t have a need for their services now, you may know of someone that might. For example, if you know of anyone with a medical concern, please ask for a FILE OF LIFE. The Cox Center works with the Parish Nurse Ministry to distribute these emergency medical pouches.

The Cox Center staff invites you to visit, learn more and become involved. The Cox Center is located in the “Compassionate Corner” of St. Nicholas, which also contains the Seton Youth Services shelter for male teens. For those of you that don’t know the location of this “Corner of Caring”, it is off the side parking lot, to my left, in the rear.

There is an insert in today’s bulletin with more information about the Cox Center, in addition to an article in this week’s “Catholic Virginian”. I’ll be out front, in the Commons, after mass, if you have any questions about the Center or would be interested in volunteering, making a donation, or buying See’s Candies, which funds their free FILE OF LIFE distribution.

Bless you and thank you for considering this important ministry!