Pastoral Care

Communion to the Homebound

The mission of this ministry is to mirror God’s presence to our sisters and brothers in the midst of life’s transitions; to provide a Gospel presence and a Eucharistic presence to the sick, homebound, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

If you or a loved one are ill, unable to attend Mass and would like someone to bring you Holy Communion please contact us at pastoralcare@smarymag.org so we assist you with your request.

Anointing of the Sick

To Request Anointing: Please call the Parish Office to schedule an appointment for anointing for yourself or your relative as soon as you are aware of the need, 480-279-6737.

Anointing of the Sick can only be administered by a priest and while the person is alive. Please DO NOT wait until someone is near death to have the person anointed! Although Anointing of the Sick was once known as “Last Rites,” waiting until a person is near death could risk that person not being able to receive the Sacrament if he or she should pass away prior to the priest being able to arrive.

This sacrament is intended for when “anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age” and “just prior to a serious operation” (CCC 1514,1515).

The Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening by the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude (CCC 1520).

These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, for,

“this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 'He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.'"  —Matthew 8:17