Ministry to the Sick
The Ministry to the Sick is a pastoral ministry of caring for those hospitalized, in nursing homes, or confined to private homes. The purpose of the ministry is to demonstrate the care and concern of the faith community to the sick and the shut-ins. Ministers visit the sick or homebound to pray and to offer the Eucharist. The Director of Pastoral Care also communicates with the Priests when Anointing of the Sick is required.
The ministry is provided by trained and certified lay men and women, ordained deacons, and priests within our parish and the Diocese. Potential Ministers to the Sick are interviewed by the Pastoral Care Director and approved by Father Derk. They shadow an experienced minister to determine if this is the right ministry for them. A Diocesan FDLE and FBI clearance is required for ministers who are serving our most vulnerable people. Volunteers must be trained and fingerprinted. They must also have a specific prayer book and pyx. These costs are covered by the parish.
With the aging of our community and the various methods of treatment for disease, we have many parishioners who are living longer yet are no longer totally independent and cannot attend Mass. We also have parishioners who may be undergoing treatment or are scheduled for surgery and therefore cannot attend Mass. The Ministers to the Sick serve as a representative from our parish with visitation, encouragement, prayer, and the strength and healing power of the Holy Eucharist. These ministers are trained and formed to conduct a pastoral visit with time to listen and pray about the concerns of the sick or shut-in person and to share the Eucharist with them. They meet with the parishioners on a weekly basis wherever they are located: in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, the hospital, or in private homes.
The Ministers to the Sick meet as a group 4-5 times per year in the Religious Education Buildings. Meeting topics are both Educational and Spiritual and may be used for recertification.
*Fingerprinting is required for adult volunteers.
