Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Elder Ministry leader, Sandra Breakfield (at left) had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis Jan. 31 during the international conference on pastoral care of the elderly held in Rome Jan. 29-31. More than 550 people from 60 countries attended the three-day conference at the Vatican Jan. 29-31. Pope Francis blessed the participants of the international conference during their audience at the Vatican. (Photos provided Vatican Media)CHARLOTTE — Sandra Breakfield thought she was being scammed when she got a call from a man claiming to be from the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.
The longtime leader of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Elder Ministry Program has taught senior citizens about phone and email scams over the years, so she ignored the phone call.
Then the man emailed her. Still suspicious, Breakfield alerted the diocese’s technology services staff. They did some checking, and learned that the man trying to reach her was legitimate – he works for the Vatican office responsible for elder ministry, and he was inviting Breakfield to a conference in Rome with the pope.
The two connected, and they met at the three-day international conference on the pastoral care of the elderly in Rome held Jan. 29-31.
“I saw him immediately (when I got to the conference) and his reaction was, “’You really do exist! I really exist! This is amazing!’” Breakfield said. “It was a warm welcome from him. It was incredible, it truly was.”
“The Richness of Many Years of Life” conference was the first of its kind, drawing 550 people from 60 countries. It was in response to Pope Francis’ call to emphasize senior adults’ indispensable role in dialogue with young people, in the transmission of the faith and in the youths’ rediscovery of their own roots.
Breakfield said the conference “embraced the richness of each person and the lives they have lived – their wisdom, knowledge, history.” It also stressed the importance not to forget about older adults’ continued participation in the life of families and parishes today, not just in past.
“When you think about the influence of seniors in family and church (life), they are and continue to be the backbone, offering so much experience, expertise, knowledge, living their faith,” Breakfield said.
The conference highlighted the importance of people as storytellers and how they impart the faith to others.
“The elderly are storytellers, sharers of their life experiences and their faith,” Breakfield said. They can be an “encouragement for others as they have lived a life and can help us in our experiences along the way.”
She added, “It’s about love – to love one another, respect the worth and dignity of each and every person, and the value they bring.”
Breakfield said an amazing highlight of the trip to Rome and the conference was the opportunity to meet Pope Francis.
“When I actually had the opportunity to shake hands with the pope, I felt like he had a firm grip on my hand. We were looking eye to eye. I felt like he was seeing me. That was a ‘wow factor’ for me.
“I said thank you and on behalf of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, extended greetings. It was a very humbling experience, it really was,” she said.
Coming away from the conference, Breakfield said, she gained a deeper appreciation of her work and the importance of serving others through Catholic Charities.
“We can’t as individuals do it (this ministry) by ourselves. But collectively as the Body of Christ, anything is possible. By following the direction of our seniors and stepping up to meet their needs; that is an incredible and wonderful opportunity.”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
For more information
Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte hosts many events and workshops throughout the year for elderly parishioners around the diocese. Go online to www.ccdoc.org to learn more about Elder Ministry. Questions? Contact Sandra Breakfield, Elder Ministry Program director at 704-370-3220 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
