Pastoral Ministry

Pastoral care is provided to the people of our parish beginning with the Baptism of infants. Parents may contact the pastoral minister, Mary McMahon, to arrange for the sacrament and for a program of preparation for themselves and for godparents if they live in the area.

Any person who is troubled spiritually or emotionally by circumstances in their life and needs someone to listen to their concerns is welcome to call on us. For those seeking reconciliation with the church, the pastor is available for confessions on Saturdays from 3:00 - 3:45 PM or by appointment. A divorced person seeking an annulment can submit a Request for Tribunal Study with the assistance of the pastor or pastoral minister.

Whenever a parishioner becomes homebound or moves to a nursing home we count on family members to let us know of the change in circumstances so we can be attentive to their loved ones needs. Once a month, on Visitation Sunday, dedicated Eucharistic Ministers bring communion to parishioners who are no longer able to attend Mass in church. This is in addition to hospital, nursing home and home visits made by the pastor and pastoral minister. When a family member is hospitalized it is helpful to notify us because the hospital's pastoral care office may not always have them listed under our parish name. We are always hopeful that upon admission to the hospital a person is asked if they have a particular parish affiliation, but sometimes, especially in an emergency, that is not clarified.

Mass is offered once a month at Lathrop Home and Rockridge Retirement Home as well as regularly scheduled visits by parish visitors for rosary and communion. A special afternoon Mass with the Communal Anointing of the Sick and Elderly is held annually in the fall. The Sacrament of Anointing is for those who are weakened by age or disability and for anyone in the area with physical or mental illness, regardless of age. In addition, those who suffer from an addiction or anyone anticipating major surgery is welcome to attend.

When there is a death in the family the pastoral minister assists the family in ways they might wish to participate in the funeral mass. Individual pastoral care is available to those grieving the loss of a loved one and referrals can be made to area bereavement groups.

To speak to someone about any of the above you may call Mary McMahon, Pastoral Minister, at 586-0040.

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