A big ringing with all the bells, that had its reason on Saturday evening.
Because with the festive church service, reception and a speech by a high-ranking guest, the anniversary celebrations on the occasion of “100 Years of Outpatient Nursing Tutzing” hit the final straight.
In St. Joseph even the President of the German Caritas Association did the honors.
Tutzing - Many of the around 180 guests at the church service already knew: The Pfronten-born and studied theologian came not only as a speaker in civilian clothes on his third visit to Tutzing, Dr. Peter Neher was primarily responsible for the service, with local pastor Peter Brummer as co-celebrant. Both know each other well, they were ordained priests on July 3, 1983 in Augsburg.
Neher outlined the development of outpatient nursing. Even before the founding year 1921, the Missionary Benedictines initiated this care. And as far as the present is concerned, more and more areas of responsibility would be added, such as palliative care and residential groups for people with dementia. Neher derived important impulses from the Corona period, namely a "newly won appreciation" for care professions. Therefore, he concluded: "As before the pandemic, nobody wants the conditions in nursing back."
Thanks were given to the sisters of the Tutzing monastery, the heads of palliative care and the supportive circle of friends. Overall, each individual is important. That is why there were many roses as a token of gratitude. After all, Elisabeth is the Patroness of Mercy and the rose is her symbol. The guests of honor also received roses, including Mayor Marlene Greinwald, Member of Parliament Dr. Ute Eiling-Hütig and Prioress Ruth Schönenberger.
As chairman, Pastor Brummer outlined the importance of the Nursing Association at the subsequent reception by the fire in the rectory as follows: "Help for fellow human beings is a strong element of faith." “A network of solidarity and several offshoots have also grown”, so recently in Bernried, where the supervised residential complex “Theresia-Petsch-Haus” will open on November 19th - as the last act to mark the 100th anniversary.
In his address in the Roncalli House, Peter Neher outlined the challenges of care for the elderly.
"It is worrying that a pandemic was needed to make politicians aware of the importance of the nursing professions." In addition to adequate pay, grants are also required to create such nursing networks as are exemplary in Tutzing.
Brummer added: “Being there for the needy is a core part of society and the church.” A core part in which he is already actively involved as a clinic pastor in Höhenried.
BY ANDREAS BRETTING