Warming Hearts Evangelization Campaign

A Guide for Catholic Parishes and St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) Teams to Evangelize in Nursing Homes

Overview

Warming Hearts is an evangelization initiative designed to help St Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) teams and other Catholics share the Gospel with elderly men and women. The initiative focuses on bringing the love of Christ to residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other senior care communities.

This work is deeply rooted in the Church’s mission and directly fulfills the Corporal Work of Mercy of Visiting the Sick. Many residents experience isolation and loneliness and are often especially open to spiritual conversation, prayer, and companionship—making this apostolate both timely and urgent.

What Is Warming Hearts?

Warming Hearts is an evangelization campaign centered on intentional visits to:

• Nursing homes
• Assisted living facilities
• Senior living communities
• Hospice facilities (when appropriate and permitted)

The goal is to offer authentic human connection, prayer, and the saving message of Jesus Christ in a warm, respectful, and pastoral environment.

Why Nursing Home Evangelization?

Evangelizing in senior care facilities is especially fruitful because:

• It provides an indoor and warm setting, allowing evangelization to continue year-round
• Facilities generally welcome visitors who uplift and engage residents
• Many residents are near the end of life, making evangelization time-sensitive
• Residents are often spiritually receptive and grateful for prayer and conversation
• This apostolate clearly fulfills a Corporal Work of Mercy

How to Evangelize

Warming Hearts can be carried out through both individual and group-based evangelization. Facilities may prefer one approach over the other, so flexibility is important.

Individual-Based Evangelization

One of the most effective ways to begin is through individual, room-to-room visits, especially with residents who are unable to leave their rooms due to physical or cognitive limitations.

Steps for individual visits:

• Ask the facility (when permitted) for a list of residents who cannot leave their rooms and are open to visitors
• Complete all required registration and screening processes
• Visit residents using the Saint Paul Street Evangelization method: Listen, Befriend, Proclaim, and Invite
• Keep visits respectful, gentle, and attentive to the resident’s energy and needs

Group-Based Evangelization

Group settings allow for greater structure, safety, and ease of coordination. Depending on the facility, group gatherings may be held in common rooms or activity spaces.

Possible group activities include:

• Playing music (live or through a speaker)
• Singing familiar hymns (including seasonal carols during Advent and Christmas)
• Leading a Bible study or book study
• Offering a Catholic Alpha or similar evangelization series
• Praying the Rosary together
• Reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture (Lectio Divina)

When permitted, consider inviting a priest to provide:

• Confessions
• Anointing of the Sick
• Baptism (if needed and properly arranged)

Team Guidelines

To ensure safety, fruitfulness, and professionalism:

• Never evangelize alone — a minimum of two evangelists per visit is required
• Start small:
  • Begin with two to four evangelists
  • Become familiar with the facility’s procedures before expanding
• Dress modestly and professionally
• Always respect residents’ physical, emotional, and cognitive limitations

Getting Started: Practical Steps

1. Contact the Facility

• Call or email the nursing home or assisted living facility
• Introduce yourself as part of a local Catholic parish or SPSE team
• Ask about opportunities to visit residents for spiritual support and prayer

2. Understand the Facility’s Process

Many facilities require:

• Completion of registration or volunteer forms
• A copy of your driver’s license or identification
• Approval for individual or group activities

Become familiar with these requirements before scheduling regular visits.

3. Identify Residents Most in Need

When allowed, ask for a list of residents who:

• Do not attend group activities
• Rarely leave their rooms
• Are unable to attend Mass (some facilities provide transportation to Sunday Mass)

Equipment & Logistics

When planning group activities:

• Ask if the facility can provide:
  • A screen or television
  • DVD player or HDMI access
• Ideally bring:
  • Your own laptop with videos downloaded in advance
• Always coordinate setup, technology, and timing with facility staff

Kickoff & Participation

• Begin with a soft launch involving only a few trained evangelists
• Once processes are established, set a broader kickoff date for additional participants
• Promote the initiative within:
  • Parish ministries
  • Evangelization teams

Provide:

• A short orientation or training meeting
• A simple overview video (recommended)

Final Encouragement

Warming Hearts is a powerful and compassionate way to continue evangelization during the winter months while serving some of the most spiritually and emotionally vulnerable members of our communities.

By bringing Christ into nursing homes and assisted living facilities, we warm hearts—through prayer, presence, and the saving message of the Gospel.

Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25