Phone chats dial up parish connections

"So, are you trying to keep warm in this cold weather?" Judy asks her elderly listener.

"Oh, this is terrible," Mrs. Powers replies, frustrated with the harsh March conditions. "We don't need this snow. And they say we've got more coming Wednesday."

Their conversation eventually covers other topics, such as family, Mrs. Powers' hobby of doing puzzles, and events happening at St. Patrick's Church in Albany, where both are parishioners.

Contacts

The program includes 10 callers who keep in touch with 16 elderly members of the parish, according to Debbie Divorl, a coordinator of the program.

After looking at lists with names of older parishioners who are shut-ins or receive flowers at Christmas and Easter from St. Patrick's, the parish called them to see if they would want someone to keep in touch with them every week or so through the Telephone Reassurance Program. Volunteers offered to help after hearing about the program at Mass or reading about it in the bulletin.

Wired together

Judy calls Mrs. Powers each week to see what's new. They have never met; but from their phone calls, they have developed a close relationship.

"I fell in love with her immediately," Judy said. "She's just a nice lady. I look forward to calling her." With a daughter who works long hours and a granddaughter in college, Mrs. Powers seems to appreciate their weekly chats, which usually last about 10 to 15 minutes.

Dialogue

"How are you feeling?" Judy asked Mrs. Powers.

"I had two nurses come and check me out," Mrs. Powers answered. "I'm as well as I could be. It's that chronic sinus. My eyes are alright, and the murmur in my heart isn't any worse."

After talking about the weather and how fed up with winter Mrs. Powers has become, Judy asked, "Have you done any puzzles lately?" Getting an assent, Judy offered her an incentive to stick with her hobby: "I'm going to have to get you some frames so you can sell these."

Keeping in touch

"My husband says I don't know how to say, 'No,' especially for children," Judy says.

Mrs. Powers' granddaughter is home from college this week but has laryngitis. Although she wants to see her, Mrs. Powers has just gotten over illness herself and doesn't think it would be a good idea.

They've covered the weather, family, puzzles and parish news, so they wrap up their chat with Judy telling Mrs. Powers, "It's good talking to you."

Very good, indeed.

(03-18-99) [[In-content Ad]]