Pastoral Care
When to Call a Priest
Any parishioner may call at any time during the day or night, seven days a week, in the event of a pastoral crisis such as a death in the family, serious illness, an accident, or any other pastoral emergency (888-270-5538).
Parishioners may call or email clergy directly in order to set up an appointment for a non-crisis visitation. A priest can be called whenever someone is near death in order to administer Last Rites and pray with the family.
Please call the Pastoral Care Team at Saint John’s:
- 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 wishes to talk in order to gain spiritual comfort
Pastoral Care Visits
When parishioners are sick and/or hospitalized, we will be happy to make provisions for a scheduled visit. You may request a pre-surgery visit, time spent with the family during surgery or post-surgery, homebound or visits in nursing homes. In case of an extended hospital stay, a member of the pastoral care team is available to bring communion or just a spiritual presence. The goal of our visits is to provide comfort, to pray, to perform the laying on of hands for healing if desired, and to share Holy Communion. To receive a hospital or a medical care oriented facility visit, contact the cathedral’s office or call Saint John’s clergy directly. Please do not presume others will notify us for you. Please note that we do not add anyone’s name to our prayers and intercessions list unless we have permission from the individual, even if a clergy person makes a hospital visit.
Pastoral Counseling
As is true with most parish clergy, priests are not certified and trained professional counselors. They are, of course, willing to listen carefully, offer aid and encouraging direction if appropriate, provide spiritual insight and perspective on a given situation, make an assessment of what is needed, and make proper referrals to individuals who are certified and trained to respond to certain needs. By Canon Law, a clergy person may not meet more than three consecutive times with an individual on the same “clinical” topic before making a referral to the appropriate trained professional.
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Birth of a Child
The clergy of Saint John’s Cathedral are always delighted to come to the hospital the day of or after childbirth to offer a brief service of thanksgiving. It is particularly appropriate to include any siblings and close family members in this heartwarming occasion.
House Blessing
Occupying a new home can be a joyous occasion. The clergy are available to help sanctify your new home by offering a blessing on behalf of the church. If convenient, prayers for the several rooms of the house may be offered. The priest, with members of the household and others as convenient, moves from room to room saying a prayer over each space.
Reconciliation of a Penitent
In the Episcopal tradition, we make a public and corporate confession of sin each time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist. Sometimes people desire and situations warrant making an explicit, private confession of sins to a priest, from whom the individual seeks absolution. When the penitent has confessed all serious sins troubling the conscience and has given evidence of due contrition, the priest gives such counsel and encouragement as are needed and pronounces absolution.
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Spiritual Direction
At Saint John’s we value sharing the stories of our journeys in faith with a trusted companion. We are blessed to have an in-house team of certified Spiritual Directors ready and willing to meet with fellow parishioners. Please contact Canon Katie to learn more and be referred to the Spiritual Direction team.
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Eucharistic Visitors
As part of our Pastoral Care Team at Saint John’s Cathedral, we do have trained lay Eucharistic Visitors to provide the sacrament of Holy Communion to those who are hospitalized, homebound, or in nursing homes. Those engaged in this ministry must be licensed by the bishop and undergo a diocesan training session before any visitation is done.
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Care Advisory Board
This group provides education and resources for the more practical matters in the life of a church. Please contact Canon Katie with questions.
Email Katie