Answering the Call to Care: A Path for Every Willing Heart
Supporting Those Who Give Care in the Home
THE CALL
Katy Napper knows what it means to love deeply and practically. Her life’s work—teaching, nurturing, and mentoring Christian Science nurses and caregivers—has become a vibrant expression of divine Love made visible. While living at The Willows with her husband, Larry, Katy has continued to follow the call to support those who care for others, especially in home settings.
Soon after arriving, she recognized a local need: many individuals wanted to help fellow church members but didn’t know how. Common concerns included:
“I want to help, but I don’t know how.”
“I want to put my understanding of Christian Science into practice when I’m helping someone, but I don’t quite see the connection between spiritual ideas and practical needs.”
“I’d like to learn, but I can’t leave home for months to take a course.”
With support from Glenmont Christian Science Nursing, based in Ohio, Christian Science Nurse Connections (CSNC) in California, and The Willows, Katy proposed a bold solution: establish a dedicated teaching space within The Willows community. That vision became reality in the form of a two-bedroom training villa—not a care facility, but a fully equipped classroom complete with supplies, books, and a welcoming space for students to learn and stay.
THE PATH
From this humble villa, a stream of spiritual education and healing has flowed into the broader community. Over the past three years, the villa has hosted structured classes in ethics and skills, continuing education workshops, and mentoring programs. Classes cover everything from safe mobility practices to the deeper metaphysical foundations of Christian Science nursing. Katy has taught 4 five-day Retreats, Levels 1, 2, and 3 of Christian Science Nursing Education (classroom portions), and numerous Christian Science caregiver classes.
The Christian Science Nursing Retreats are often transformative experiences. “During the Retreat, participants often fall in love with Christian Science nursing,” Katy explains. Some go on to pursue it as a full-time ministry, while others discover a new path in public practice or deeper church involvement. The Retreats include Bible-based spiritual studies in the mornings and interactive workshops in the afternoons, creating a rhythm of inspiration, learning, and trust.
A Living Example of Healing Love
One unforgettable day, while receiving a bed shampoo from a student during class, Katy got a call for help. A woman had collapsed, couldn’t speak or move one side of her body. Wet hair and all, Katy and her student moved into action. Guided by prayer, they gathered supplies and headed out, affirming the spiritual ethics of Christian Science nursing—no diagnosing, just witnessing the presence of good.
Within 35 minutes they arrived. In another ten, the woman began improving—speaking clearly, able to grasp their arms and sit up. Soon, she stood and walked. “Healing unfolded as we watched,” Katy recalls, still awed by Love’s immediacy.
WILLING HEARTS
Ten residents at The Willows have completed the Retreat. These students now carry a renewed spiritual understanding and practical readiness to minister to one another. The ripple effect is real. She sees how having supplies and equipment immediately at hand, bed protection, mobility and comfort items, etc., supports healing. Donated supplies flow in and out, before they are needed, just like the stream of Love that animates the work.
“This is not a job,” Katy smiles. “It’s a holy mission, a consuming passion, a joy-filled hobby, and a full-time ministry.”
She sees herself as part of a broader movement to uphold Mary Baker Eddy’s provision for the Christian Science nurse to bless mankind — not only as a profession but as a living demonstration of Christly care.
“We don’t love our neighbor by allowing self-neglect,” Katy reminds us. “There is loving, trained care available—if only we know who to ask.”
And thanks to the quiet revolution underway in that training villa at The Willows, more and more people do.
If you or someone in your community would benefit from Christian Science caregiver training or support, or if you’re simply curious to learn more about what Katy is doing, reach out to her at knapper@glenmontcsn.com, to Christian Science Nurse Connections, or to Glenmont for more information.
Together, we are making channels for Love to flow—right into the heart of our homes.