COLESHILL, England, MARCH 15, 2011 (Zenit.org).- On Saturday, U.K. Catholics will observe a national day of prayer for dementia in remembrance of the 820,000 people in that region that suffer from this illness.
Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham stated: «I am very pleased to commend the day of prayer for dementia on March 19.
«It is a way of highlighting the daily struggle that many people experience just to keep going on life’s path and it is a good opportunity for us to ask Our Lord to strengthen them on their pilgrimage of faith.
«It is also a way of encouraging each of us to be a support and understanding friend to those who experience dementia and those who take care of them.»
Frances Molloy, charity manager of the Pastoral Care Project, which is organizing the day, affirmed, «We are so thankful for Archbishop Longley’s support and are also delighted to have the support of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Mental Health Project 2010-2012 Day for Life funds to enable the project to produce resources to raise awareness with schools.»
The organizers are offering prayer cards and other resources for the celebration of this day. They are encouraging people to wear the color yellow, and use yellow ribbons and balloons on this day to promote the campaign.
The Pastoral Care Project noted that the «familiar prayer, the sacraments and mass» helps people with dementia to «connect with the Lord» and «to live in the present moment, whether in care settings or in the community.»
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On the Net:
For more information: www.dayofprayerfordementia.org.uk
