Ottawa Cornwall Catholic Seniors

“...the prayer of the elderly can protect the world, helping it perhaps more effectively than the frenetic activity of many others.”

The Ottawa Cornwall Catholic Seniors (OCCS) is a group of representatives from parishes throughout the Archdiocese, who are committed to caring for a growing senior population, both virtually and in person, in “a church without walls”. We want to help

• shut ins
• family caregivers
• seniors who lack mobility financial resources or social connections
• those with progressive dementia
• socially isolated and lonely seniors.

Following Christ’s example of caring for the needy, the OCCS seek to

• define
• develop
• share

initiatives from their respective Parish Seniors Ministry. Join the OCCS parish network and see what we’re up to, to share ideas and to learn!  Help us to spread the compassion of Christ and the joy of living with our seniors. For more information contact Pat Marsden-Dole.

The 2016 Census revealed that for the first time ever the number of seniors (65+) outnumber children (14 and younger) - 5.9 million to 5.8 million! In fact, Canada's seniors population has almost doubled from 3.5 million to 6.2 million during the last 20 years. By 2037 the number of adults 65+ is expected to reach 10.4 million. In the next 10 years 1 of every 4 Canadians will be over the age of 65.

Unfortuntaely, publicly funded health and social services are already under strain. In following Christ's example, family and community members are called to more and more supplement these services. Although caring for the needy is an essential element of our faith it is sometimes difficult to put into practice without guidance. To that end the Archdiocese has established a seniors ministry - Ottawa Cornwall Catholic Seniors - to assist families, volunteers and parishes.