Anointing of the Sick

Emergencies
In the event of an emergency, when one is actively dying,
please call the Parish Office (856) 845-0123
After 4:00pm, please use the Emergency Line to reach a priest

At one time, what we practice now as the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick was offered only when a person was near death. This is why it was called, “Extreme Unction” (anointing in extreme circumstances) and commonly referred to as “last rites.” 
Today, any seriously ill or infirmed person can be anointed at any time; death need not be imminent. Persons scheduled for surgery likewise should be anointed before entering the hospital. The chaplain will anoint all persons admitted to the hospital, particularly in an emergency. 

​But when death becomes imminent, summon a priest immediately if you know the dying person has not been anointed (the chaplain if the person is in a hospital; a parish priest if they are at home or a care facility within the parish boundaries). 
If they have been anointed, however, there is no need for “last rites.” The dear one has already been graced with the sacrament and is spiritually disposed to enter the presence of God.

Hospital Visitations 

If a loved one is admitted to any hospital, please contact the hospital’s Pastoral Care office. Each hospital has an assigned, full-time Catholic chaplain who will be certain to administer the sacrament of the sick and arrange for regular reception of Holy Communion. Our parish priests try to visit hospitalized parishioners as well, as their schedules permit.

Sick Calls

If you know of any parishioner who is homebound and would like to regularly receive Holy Communion, we are happy to make arrangements for periodic visits by a priest and lay Eucharistic Ministers. Catholic residents of long-term care facilities within our parish boundaries are likewise visited regularly.