Glad You Asked That: Frequently Asked Questions Installment #4

Questions are a normal part of transition. Here is a question we have been hearing recently from the parish community along with the answer.

Question

I want to talk to a priest, or want a priest to visit my sick or dying spouse or family member at home or the hospital. Who do I call?

Answer

We want to be there when you need spiritual support to face challenging moments and difficult stages of life. How we are able to provide that comfort and support is changing under our new pastoral model.

If the situation involves imminent death and the need for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and/or Anointing, please call the parish office at 253-383-2783. If it is after hours, leave a brief message with your contact information and a member of the parish will call the next business day to help make arrangements for a priest to respond to your request.

For situations NOT involving imminent death please follow the same procedure. In these instances, members of our parish staff and trained volunteers will also be available to help you through your time of need. Counseling, prayer, or simply providing a listening ear is something we— as fellow parishioners, can extend to one another.

Under this new pastoral model, we are taking steps to enhance the ability of our lay parish staff to minister to parishioners’ needs. We are currently assembling and training a team of volunteers with experience and backgrounds in counseling, social work, or pastoral care, who will be available to meet with parishioners and their families during these sensitive times. If necessary, these trained volunteers will help arrange for the presence of a priest (if needed for the Sacraments of  Anointing or Reconciliation). We are very confident in the ability of our parish staff and trained volunteers to fulfill some of the needs that have historically been handled by priests.

Feel free to share your questions and comments in the Glad You Asked Box in the vestibule of the Church, send us a message on Facebook, email us call us at 253-383-2783, send us a message using myParish— there are so many ways to reach us!