"Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
Matthew 25: 37-40

Anointing of the Sick
It is the prayer of the Church that those who are sick will be healed by God in their body, mind, and spirit? Who should receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick? All persons who are seriously sick, children who have reached the age of reason, the elderly, before a sick person has surgery, or a sick person who has lost consciousness or the use of reason who as a Christian believer probably would have asked for it were they in control of their faculties. Whenever possible, the Sacrament should be received in a communal celebration. The sacrament of anointing can take place at any Sunday or weekday liturgy, but when necessary can be administered at any time.

Bereavement
Our HOPE (Healing, Opportunity, Peace and Encouragement) Committee offers support and resources for those experiencing a loss, sponsor special Masses of remembrances for those who have lost loved ones, and may provide assistance for a funeral. Contact Kathy Grapski at [email protected]. 

Clergy Visit / Saint Paul Pastoral Visitors
We can arrange for our Pastor or a Deacon to visit our elderly shut-ins, chronically ill. Also, Saint Paul Pastoral Visitors is a group of volunteers representing Christ and Saint Paul Catholic Church, coming together to supplement the Pastor's visits. We provide friendly visits in support of the elderly, homebound, sick and shut ins, and group home residents, meeting them where they are, and walking with them in their experiences. Fulfilling our baptismal call as adult disciples, Pastoral Visitors seek to be attentive to the loneliness and spiritual and emotional needs of those they visit. 

Elderly Care Outreach
We provide telephone companionship, references to community resources, pastoral visitors and communion as needed for the elderly. 

Eucharist for the Homebound
To receive the Eucharist by an Extraordinary Ministry to the Sick, contact us and arrangements will be made for a time that is convenient for you. Extraordinary ministers can also bring the seasonal liturgical gift such as Ashes on Ash Wednesday, Palms on Palm Sunday. 

Meals for the Homebound
During a family crisis having dinner prepared for the family can be a welcome relief. Parishioners have volunteered to make and deliver a meal to homebound persons with short term needs such as a person recovering from a hip or knee replacement or someone with long term needs such as the chronically ill. Other examples are a mother with a newborn baby, a family at home whose primary caregiver is hospitalized, a family of a hospitalized or ill child. Dinners are enough for a family regardless of size and are usually provided every other day unless more is needed. Services can be provided for one to two weeks, or after an evaluation as needed. Contact Andrea Marshall-Chite at [email protected].

Support during Hospitalization
Please inform us if you will be hospitalized. In case of emergency, tell the hospital that you are a Catholic and would like to receive the sacrament of anointing, or call Saint Paul Church and we will arrange for the sacrament to be administered. A Priest, Deacon, or a representative of Saint Paul Church will visit local area hospitals. For a planned hospitalization, let the hospital know that you are a Catholic and would like to receive the Eucharist. If Saint Paul Church is informed of a hospitalization, we can call ahead to the Chaplain's office for you. Our Priest, Deacons, and Extraordinary Ministers can also bring the Eucharist to the hospital. Don't wait alone. If you are in a crisis and there is no family to wait with you, remember Saint Paul Church is your family and we will wait with you, but you must call us. Let us pray with you and for you, at the Mass, and on the prayer chain. 

To send a Prayer Request Email [email protected].

For Montgomery County Hospice resources
Visit www.montgomeryhospice.org/. 

If you need pastoral care assistance or for further information on any aspect of our Pastoral Care Ministry, please contact Deacon Huguley at [email protected] or call the Rectory at 301-253-2027.