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Ways to Involve the Parish Community

  1. Offer the Sacrament of Anointing during a Sunday Mass in the Parish or during a separate, designated liturgy (within or outside of Mass)
      • Send out an invitation by mail, phone, or email to all those who are sick in your parish and on the prayer or visitation list.
      • Assist with finding transportation for those who need it
      • Be attentive to accessibility needs for those who are gathering for the Sacrament (mobility, vision, etc.)
      • Consider hosting a simple reception after the Anointing of the Sick Liturgy
      • Make sure there are a sufficient number of ministers of hospitality and others to assist those who might need extra help at the liturgy or reception.
  2. During the month of February, have a special book for the sick displayed in the Church where parishioners can add the name of their family or friends who are sick. Remember them in the Prayers of the Faithful.
  3. Invite the Parish Nurse to have a visible role in the celebrations, perhaps invite him or her to provide information to the parish through the bulletin or social media
  4. Schedule an Anointing of the Sick liturgy at the nursing homes and long-term care facilities (apart from hospitals) within your parish boundaries.
  5. Remind parishioners that when they or a loved one are admitted to the hospital, to identify themselves as a Roman Catholic and state that they wish to be visited by a Catholic priest and be placed on the list for Holy Communion.
  6. Consider a parish novena to Our Lady of Lourdes.
  7. Consider offering a Blessing for the Sick and Blessing for Those Who Care for the Sick at the end of Mass.