September 15, 2008

The people of a parish are the primary pastors of any church.  The bonds of family and friendship are forged over many years of shared memories.  These are the people we trust, and these are the people we all naturally turn to in times of distress..  However, there are times when you need or want a visit from your priest.  When these times occur, the priest of St. Anne’s, Fr. David Sivret, has the following policy:

•  Any parishioner may call at any hour of the day or night, seven days a week, in the event of a pastoral crisis, such as someone dying, someone in grave danger, some catastrophe has befallen.
•  Any parishioner may call for non-crisis visitation and spiritual development on a personal basis at any reasonable time, or ask in person at Church services or events to set up an appointment to meet pastorally.
•  Fr. David will be glad to visit at a mutually convenient time on a fellowship basis any parishioner who invites him.
•  It is expected that if anyone in the parish knows of a pastoral need someone will pass this information on to Fr. David.  It is better to receive several calls on the same issue than to not know of someone’s need.  Please remember that the hospital will only call a priest if the patient specifically requests it.

When to Call a Priest

• When someone is dying.  The priest should be called after the family, before the funeral home.  If possible, the priest should be called in time to say Last Rites.  For parish members, the priest should be assisting the family with the funeral home personnel and funeral planning.
• When someone is ill or hospitalized.
• When someone is experiencing distress and needs pastoral care.
• When someone wants to discuss spiritual or theological matters.
• When someone has reason to celebrate.
• When someone just wants to talk to a priest.

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