Castleton seniors improve life one 'Mustard Seed' at a time

By KATHLEEN LAMANNA- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Older parishioners at Sacred Heart parish in Castleton are embracing a newfound social life: Mustard Seed, the parish's senior citizen group, has set a goal of helping them to socialize and stay healthy.

The group began in 2012 after many of the seniors attended an eight-week program called "Living Healthy with Chronic Diseases" that was presented by The University at Albany.

"It really helped individuals with chronic diseases to appreciate the smallest efforts to live healthier in terms of movement and exercise and diet," said Dan Forget, the parish nurse and a leading member of Mustard Seed. "Even the smallest things are a step in the right direction."

After the program concluded, the parishioners still wanted to meet as a group, so they formed what later became Mustard Seed. The group's slogan is, "From small efforts, with God's aid, positive changes result."

The group meets one afternoon a month, with up to 30 people from their 50s to 90s participating -- fewer in the winter months, because the "snowbirds" head south.

At the meetings, there is light physical activity and stretching, guided meditation, volunteer work, picnics, games or other activities. The activities are led by group members or occasional guest speakers.

There are games on the parish lawn, from bocce to a water balloon toss that was a favorite among participants. Mustard Seed also recently took 20 people to Park Playhouse in Albany to see "The Pajama Game." Guided meditation sessions are also popular.

"It's taking a scene from Scripture and basically placing yourself in that scene and being able to be there and observe very closely on what's going on and how that applies to you and our life," Mr. Forget told The Evangelist.

For Lou Nahm, a frequent participant in the group, her favorite activity is "game day. We have a very big turnout for that. We have everything from board games to Wii games. I really like getting together with everybody."

"We have fun, but we get serious, too," said Mr. Forget: In September, a guest speaker will address choosing healthcare proxies and developing living wills. Pharmacy students and pharmaceutical representatives have also come to meetings to answer questions.

"The biggest benefit [of the group] is socialization for people who wouldn't ordinarily have it," said Mary Lou Kulpa, who helps plan meetings.

Member Claire Ryan finds that the members will do "whatever happens to tickle our fancy."

Members even help the parish secretary by addressing envelopes or setting up tables for parish events. "Of course, we always start and end with a prayer," she said.

(The group is open to Sacred Heart parishioners and others; call Dan Forget at 518-732-2155.)[[In-content Ad]]