St. Alphonsus Parish Launches Nourish for Caregivers Ministry

New monthly support group provides practical, emotional, and spiritual aid for those caring for loved ones.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:09pm

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A soft, abstract image of an elderly couple holding hands, surrounded by warm, blurred pools of light and color, conveying a sense of comfort and community.The new Nourish for Caregivers ministry at St. Alphonsus Parish aims to provide a welcoming, faith-based community for those caring for loved ones.Philadelphia Today

St. Alphonsus Parish in Maple Glen, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has launched a new monthly support group called Nourish for Caregivers. The group, which is the fifth such ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, aims to provide practical, emotional, and spiritual support to those caring for spouses, aging parents, children, and others. The group is led by parishioner Maryanne Burgmann, who cared for her late husband Mark during his battle with Parkinson's disease.

Why it matters

As more families navigate the challenges of caregiving, ministries like Nourish for Caregivers can be a valuable resource, offering spiritual and practical support to those who often feel isolated and overwhelmed. The group provides a faith-based community for caregivers to share experiences, access resources, and find the emotional and spiritual sustenance they need.

The details

The first Nourish for Caregivers meeting at St. Alphonsus Parish will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 3 to 4:15 p.m. in the church narthex meeting room. The group will meet monthly and focus on different faith-based caregiving topics. Maryanne Burgmann, who co-leads the group, knows firsthand the difficulties of caregiving, having cared for her late husband Mark during his battle with Parkinson's disease. She hopes the group will help other caregivers feel less alone and provide them with the support they need.

  • The first Nourish for Caregivers meeting at St. Alphonsus Parish will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • Maryanne Burgmann's husband, Mark, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Parkinson's disease in May 2023 and passed away in November 2024.

The players

Maryanne Burgmann

A retired Catholic school teacher who is co-leading the new Nourish for Caregivers ministry at St. Alphonsus Parish. She cared for her late husband, Mark, during his 18-month battle with Parkinson's disease.

Mark Burgmann

Maryanne Burgmann's late husband, a retired Philadelphia police captain who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Parkinson's disease in 2023 and passed away in 2024.

Msgr. Brian P. Hennessy

The pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish, who mentioned the parish was considering starting a caregiver ministry, which prompted Maryanne Burgmann to get involved.

Lisa Rodgers

The discipleship formation director at St. Alphonsus Parish and a former caregiver for her parents.

Amy Juarez

The care manager of the new Catholic Charities of Philadelphia parish eldercare program, who is helping Maryanne Burgmann and her co-facilitators get the Nourish for Caregivers ministry off the ground.

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What they’re saying

“I just want them to know they're not alone.”

— Maryanne Burgmann, Co-leader, Nourish for Caregivers ministry

“This is going to touch and help so many people. I wish something like this had been available for me, something faith based. It's hard to know when you're in the moment what resources are out there.”

— Lisa Rodgers, Discipleship formation director, St. Alphonsus Parish

“It gives people who are in the here and now a space to go to and interact with other caregivers. The group dynamics are wonderful.”

— Amy Juarez, Care manager, Catholic Charities of Philadelphia parish eldercare program

What’s next

The St. Alphonsus group will meet the third Thursday of every month, and each gathering will focus on a different faith-based caregiving topic. The discussion at the first meeting on April 16 will be about 'Roles in Caregiving and Decisions We Make'.

The takeaway

The launch of the Nourish for Caregivers ministry at St. Alphonsus Parish highlights the growing need for faith-based support and resources for those caring for loved ones. By providing a community of shared experiences, practical tools, and spiritual guidance, the group aims to ease the isolation and challenges often faced by caregivers.