By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them and indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.  Catechism of the Catholic Church 1499

Pastoral Care of the Sick: Please notify the parish office when a member of your family from the parish is in the hospital or if someone is unable to attend Church and wishes to receive Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

The Church, through its Funeral rites, commends the faithfully departed to God’s merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins.  At the Funeral rites, especially at the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice, the Church affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great Communion of Saints.  Though separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession.  At the rite of Final Commendation and Farewell, the Church acknowledges the reality of separation and commends the deceased to God.  In this way it recognizes the spiritual bond that still exists between the living and the dead and proclaims its belief that all the faithful will be raised up and reunited in the new heavens and a new earth, where death will be no more.  

Funeral planning takes place during a meeting between the Priest of the Funeral Mass and family members of the deceased. If a Funeral Home is involved in the arrangements, they will assist in scheduling this meeting. If a Funeral Home is not involved in the arrangements, please call the Parish Office directly at 301-797-9445 to schedule a meeting.