St. Joseph's Basilica

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Parish Care to the Sick

 

Anointing of the Sick:

Our seriously sick parishioners may request the Sacrament of the Sick. Please contact one of our priest at 488 - 7295 to set a time for the anointing. In case of emergency, please call 984 - 9768.

For emergency only, contact the priest - Ph: 984-9768

WHAT IS THE PARISH CARE MINISTRY?

1. A Service - To offer care and support for the sick and homebound of our parish. We serve, in special ways, members of our parish community who are unable to join us in celebrating our faith.

2. A Privilege - To bring Holy Communion to parishioners who are unable to gather for Sunday Eucharist, and who request our service.

3. A Blessing - To provide opportunities for others in our community to worship God.

The Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ

"Following the example of Jesus' own actions, the Christian community strives to break down barriers of isolation felt by those who are sick or dying, to include them as full members of the human community, and to provide hope of an ultimate healing of sin and death. The Church, Christ's body today, does this through visits to hospitals, continuing care and palliative care facilities, senior residences and homes." (Source: Archbishop's Office, 2006).

WHAT IS OUR VISION?

The vision of the Parish Care Ministry is:

"Community in Christ"

HOW DO WE SERVE OUR FAITH COMMUNITY?

We offer sick and homebound parishioners opportunities to stay connected with the Parish and to grow as a Community in Christ through:

- Distributing Communion to the Sick
- Assisting residents to Mass in the hospital chapel
- Leading Liturgy of the Word - in assisted living facilities
- Sacristan service in hospital chapel

MINISTRY BY PARISH PRIESTS

Our Parish serves the sick and homebound through:

- Leading prayers of the faithful at Masses, including prayers for the sick
- Ministering the Sacrament of the Sick - in hospitals and assisted living
- Celebrating Mass in community settings - assisted living facilities
- Ministering Reconciliation

WHO ARE THE PARISH CARE MINISTRY?

Parish Care Ministers must have a deep reverence for the Holy Eucharist and a desire to serve God and the parish by offering care and compassion to those who are sick or homebound.

Parish Care Ministers include:

- The Parish Priests
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Porters at the Edmonton General Continuing Care
- Certified Pastoral Care Visitors
- Musicians and lectors

"WHAT DID JESUS DO?"
"I was sick and you took care of me." Matthew 25 : 36

If you know a parishioner who is sick or in need of pastoral visits, please make him/her aware of this service.

Call 488 - 7295

HOW DO YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF THE PARISH CARE MINISTRY?

1. Contact the Parish Care leader as listed in the Parish Bulletin.

2. Pray for guidance and/or speak with one of the Parish priests.

3. Consider the qualities outlined by Pope Paul VI in 1973.

Pope Paul VI's instructions on the qualities of ministers who distribute communion include the following:

"The faithful who are special ministers of communion must be persons whose good qualities of Christian life, faith and morals recommend them.

Let them strive to be worthy of this great office, foster their own devotion to the Eucharist, and show an example to the rest of the faithful by their own devotion and reverence toward the most august sacrament of the altar."

How do we help?

1. We offer you time, support and opportunities to observe the services before making any commitment.

2. Offer a "buddy system" for support.

3. The Parish subsidizes the cost of the Pastoral Care Visitors' Program course to prepare people for this ministry.

IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION OR HAVE QUESTIONS

Please contact Anne Givens at 453 - 5654 or acgivens@shaw.ca or speak with any member of our Parish Care Ministry.

Christ -
Has no body now on earth but yours,
No hands, but yours,
No feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which Christ's
Compassion is to look out to the world.
Yours are the feet which Christ is
to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands, with which Christ
is to bless all people now.

Teresa of Avila