Prayer Circle Brings Peace to Birches Residents

We all know that healthy aging requires a nutritious diet and regular exercise, but there are other equally important but often overlooked factors that contribute to our overall health as we age.

Spirituality, for example, might not be the first lifestyle habit you think to cultivate in your quest for a long and healthy life, but a regular spiritual practice can make a big difference in how you age. Research shows that people with regular spiritual practices live longer, recover from illness and injury quicker, and cope with life’s challenges better.

As a Masterpiece Living community, The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills promotes all aspects of a healthy aging lifestyle, including spirituality. The Birches offers transportation to church services on Sundays, weekly rosary and communion, and regular visits from pastors, ministers, and priests of various traditions.

One spiritual program that has recently become very popular at The Birches is Wednesday morning Prayer Circle with Christian Church of Clarendon Hills Minister Amado Lobatos. Lobatos has been leading the circle for about a year, and residents have really taken to his simple but soothing style.

The circle meets every Wednesday morning for about a half an hour during which time Lobatos leads the group with a scripture reading, a personalized prayer for each participant, and a group song. Even though the prayer circle is a short, simple spiritual service, it seems to be just what Birches residents need.

“Everyone loves when Minister Lobatos comes on Wednesday. He has such a nice touch and everyone seems so peaceful afterward,” said Birches’ Activities Director Katie Klitchman.

Lobatos says he thinks a simple service meets the needs of Birches residents better than a long elaborate sermon.

“I don’t know that a big, meaty sermon is what they are looking for. Instead, I offer them love and a prayer for their peace, and they seem to like that,” said Lobatos.

As a minister, Lobatos finds working with seniors very rewarding. At his past church, Lobatos and other church members worked with an agency called Senior Home Sharing to arrange regular visits to a local assisted living community. The group planted flowers, read the Bible, and organized celebrations at the community to brighten the day of the residents.

Eventually, Lobatos hopes his church will become even more involved at The Birches, contributing other acts of service to The Birches community. For now, however, Lobatos is grateful for his weekly prayer sessions and the contribution he makes to the spiritual lives of Birches residents.

“I think it’s a very special time, and I love doing it,” said Lobatos. “The residents are just so sweet, and it’s very near and dear to my heart.”