For Priests and Parishes
Faith filled parishioners are a tremendous resource for Priests!
1. Seek and identify Seniors who desire the Sacraments.
1. Do you visit a care facility, if so, are you aware of Seniors who desire the Sacraments at the care facility?
2. Are you a volunteer at a care facility, or do you know someone who is?
- Seek out and identify Seniors who desire The Sacraments.
- Are there forgotten seniors in the facility?
- Ask facility staff or other parishioners if they are aware of any Seniors who may desire the Sacraments.
- Are there Seniors in your parish community who cannot leave home and may desire the Sacraments at home?
- Talk to others in your parish: Has a Senior been ill or unable to attend Mass recently?
2. Provide information to the parish Priest as efficiently as possible.
Make sure you know which parish covers the location of the facility. Certain parishes have a someone in charge of assisting The Priest; however, smaller parishes may not have these types of roles. Make sure you know who to contact and provide the information to the correct person to avoid confusion. Some care facilities—such as nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice centers may have a Catholic Priest chaplain assigned. If a Priest chaplain is assigned, provide that information to him.
Plan and call ahead to understand how best to supply the information to the parish. If it is your parish, find out what the process is and utilize it. We must be diligent of making the process as efficient as possible for Senior desiring The Sacraments and The Priest administering The Sacraments!
As the number of Seniors residing in care facilities increases, our role as advocates for Seniors desiring The Sacraments and as a resource for priests will grow significantly!
Resources for Parishes
Respect Life Program: Clergy Kit
The Dignity of Older People and their Mission in the Church and in the World

