St Francis commemorates World Sick Day
The St Francis Care Centre also commemorated the day by showing love, care and prayer for those who are suffering from illnesses, their caregivers and their families.
Pope John Paul II initiated World Day of the Sick, an observation celebrated annually on February 11 as a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses.
Approximately 50 people attended the ceremony, including home-based care workers, social workers, nurses, patients and St Francis employees.
According to St Francis Care Centre manager Tilly Brouwer, Pope John Paul II was the head of the Catholic Church who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease as early as 1991.
“He then decided to create a World Day of the Sick only a year after his diagnosis,” she explained.
“And so we also pray for all those who care for all who are faced with illnesses, first and foremost for the sick person, secondly for those who are closely connected to that person and thirdly for all the medical staff who will provide care to him or her.”
During her speech, the manager informed the guests about palliative care.
“Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illnesses.
“This is done through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification, impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.
“It’s about relieving pain and other distressing symptoms, enhancing quality of life, integrating the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care among others.”
She stressed that a good caretaker should be respectful, empathetic, reliable, patient, cheerful, practical, qualified and observant.
Brouwer concluded with two quotes from Mother Teresa that are special to her.
“She said that the biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis but rather the feeling of being unwanted.
“She also said the following: ‘If you have a sick or lonely person at home, be there. Maybe just to hold a hand, maybe just to give a smile, that is the greatest, the most beautiful work’.”
Social worker Thuli Mbatha said that working with the sick is a huge responsibility and highlighted that empathy and generosity is very important when providing health care.
Deacon Bob Johnstone and Father Aaron Nakufa prayed for and blessed all the sick patients and staff members at St Francis and their loved ones.
