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Ministry to the Sick, Terminally Ill or Dying

Anointing of the Sick

The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is an extension of Christ’s own healing ministry. It can be celebrated in any location.  Ask your parish (Click here for the nearest parish) about the scheduling of public celebrations.  Most parishes, care facilities, and hospitals have volunteers who will bring holy communion regularly to those who are unable to come to church for an extended period of time.

Call your parish or the nearest parish to request the anointing of the sick or other services. If someone is:

  • At home and seriously ill
  • Have serious surgery

Call your parish, the nearest parish (Click here for the list of nearest parish) to request the anointing of the sick or other services. If someone is:

  • In a skilled Nursing or other care facility and is seriously ill
  • In the hospital and seriously ill

Last Rites

Preparation for death (the “last rites”) eases the way for Catholics about to enter into eternal life.  Note that this preparation, which is not the same as the anointing of the sick, can take place whenever the person is ready to receive it and is not restricted to the time immediately preceding death.  It is better for this preparation to take place when the person receiving it can understand and participate in the rites. 

  • If someone is at home and dying or terminally ill. Call your parish or the nearest parish (Click here for the nearest parish)to request preparation for death (the “last rites”). 
  • If someone is in a skilled nursing or other care facility and dying or terminally ill. Call your parish, the nearest parish (Click here for the list of parish) to request preparation for death (the “last rites”). 
  • If someone is in the hospital and dying or terminaly ill. Contact the spiritual care office of the hospital or call your parish to request preparation for death (the “last rites’).   A Catholic priest is on duty 24 hours a day for every hospital in Santa Clara County.  If the need for a priest is immediate, you may get a quicker response by contacting the hospital staff or calling the answering service to request the priest on duty, especially if your own parish is far from the hospital.

While a priest cannot administer the “last rites” to persons who have already died, he can bless the body of the deceased and lead the family members in prayer, if they wish. 

  • If someone has died at home. Call your parish or the nearest parish  (Click here for the nearest parish) to request the presence of a priest. 
  • If someone has died in a skilled nursing or other facility. Call your parish, the nearest parish (Click here for the nearest parish)  to request the presence of a priest.
  • If someone has died in the hospital. Contact the spiritual care office of the hospital or your parish to request the presence of a priest.