Stewardship Minutes

Stewardship Talk
Regina Thomann

My name is Regina Thomann.

When my husband Ralph and I joined this parish family 17
years ago, I knew I wanted to be as actively involved as I had been in in
our former.parish.

I sought out my first contact with fellow parishioners in a small group
by attending weekday mass. I quickly learned that St. Nicholas sponsored a
Young at Heart Group for the aging members of the parish and several who
were weekday mass attendees. St. Nicholas was also responsible for two
monthly masses at two of the nursing homes in our area. I linked up with
the same group of weekday mass attendees to be participate there as well.

As I began visiting these nursing homes, I became very aware
of the need for touch that the residents showed. They always welcomed a
touch of an arm in passing, or the shaking of a hand always drew a smile
to their faces. At the sign of peace during the liturgy, they hungrily held
on as if I were a family member or a close friend.

I wondered to myself if there was a ministry I could offer
the residents that would nourish this need of the human touch . Though not
trained to be a manicurist, I offered to come and care for the fingernails
of the residents. The Activities Director enthusiastically welcomed my
offer, and thus, my ministry listed there as "Pretty Nails" was born 12
years ago.

Although freshly polished fingernails are the outward signs
of my time spent at the nursing home, it has been a time of sharing, and
contact with the so called "outside world." There are the blessed who have
family members and friends, but sadly for many, that is a void.

I have heard stories and tales, laughed, prayed, joked ,
sang and danced with them to lift their spirits , I have received so much
more in return. I know that in touching them , I touch the hands the
hands of someone is a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a grandma to
someone. Most strikingly, I know I touch the Lord's hand as I touch each
one of them.

Although the aged residents make up the greatest percentage
of a nursing home occupancy, there are many young people there as
well...there are those disabled through tragic accidents, debilitating
disease, and even spousal abuse who long to have their day brightened by a
visit , a smile ,or a touch..

Perhaps your heart is being called to share those gifts too!