God's gifts - Parishioner volunteers in big way
By KATIE LEFEBVRE
Globe staff reporter
Posted July 25, 2002

COON RAPIDS - The gift of time is something that some people take for granted. Rosemary Paulsen of Annunciation Church gives her time freely.

One of Rosemary's main gifts of time is as a parish nurse. Since 1995, she has visited the shut-ins and nursing home residents. She visits with them, prays with them, gives them the church bulletin and brings them communion.

"I feel it is very important to keep them connected to the church community," said Rosemary. "As a parish nurse, we look at the whole person: mind, body and spirit."

The focus for her ministry is the Prayer of St. Francis, the Beatitudes and The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

"Our Lord has called us all to continue his work on this earth," commented Rosemary. "By our baptism we were given permission to do this. It is our responsibility. I believe it is what God wants."

In 1997 her ministry became more intense after going to Medjugorje. She started the Divine Mercy Prayer Group in her parish, and encouraged the start up of the 31 Club for vocations to priesthood and religious life and as well as the Green Ribbon Campaign in support of family farmers sponsored by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.

"We are all in great need of prayers," said Rosemary. "We now have a rosary prayer group at the nursing home every week and the residents really look forward to it."

Rosemary is always looking for ways to improve herself by taking classes to better serve others. She has taken the BeFrienders training through the diocese, which is to "provide a ministry of presence to persons during life transitions or when a pastoral visit is desired."

Another class is the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) course, which she describes as "a clinical, adult education process that prepares individuals to minister - integrating their knowledge of faith and health."

"The courses help me to understand myself which in turn helps me to help others," said Rosemary. "Listening skills are important and are taught. I thought I was a good listener until I took these courses."

She is also a member of the Peace and Justice Committee for the diocese and the Iowa Citizens for Community improvement.

"I try to let my voice be heard by talking to legislators and I try to keep our parish members informed of social justice issues in my newsletter," added Rosemary who writes a weekly newsletter for her parish.

Besides being a parish nurse and being a member of different committees, Rosemary does a lot for her parish. She is a Eucharistic minister, a cantor and helps set up for Masses. She is on the parish guild.

For the next two years she will be the secretary for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, and vice president for the Council of Catholic Women for the South Central Deanery.

"I bring the Lord to people to let them know that they aren't forgotten," said Rosemary. "That is why we are here, to love people."

One of her favorite prayers is the Serenity prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

"There are a lot of more things I would like to do, but working full time has its drawbacks," said Rosemary. "I would love to one day be able to spend all my time in this ministry. I love people and I want to help them whenever I can."

Rosemary is a full-time registered nurse at St. Anthony Westside Clinic in Westside.

"Time has always been a problem, never enough, but I do the best I can and I think the people enjoy my visits," said Rosemary.

Rosemary likes the passage "The love of Christ compels us to live not for ourselves but for him who died and rose for us."(2 Cor 5:14-15) She says it is the reason we are here on this earth.