"The Anointing of the Sick 'is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.'"

The Catholic Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual illness, ideally at the beginning of an illness. For more information, please contact Fr. Del Staigers at 513-688-3144.  You may also e-mail dstaigers@stveronica.org.   After hours, call the parish office (513-528-1622) and follow the prompts to reach a priest directly in case of serious illness or death.  The Sacrament is celebrated after all Masses on the fifth Sunday of the month.

It is appropriate for our parish to gather with those who are weakened due to age or illness so that we can ask for Christ’s healing on all those who need God’s strength.  This is also a good time for reminders regarding pastoral care of the sick: 

• If you are having a scheduled medical procedure, and would like to be anointed, please call the parish office to schedule a time to be anointed. Any of our priests are willing to come to your home, or you can come to church to be anointed at, or after, one of our Masses.  Many medical procedures are scheduled ahead of time; please remember to do the same regarding Anointing of the Sick. 

• If you or a loved one are hospitalized, please call the parish office to let us know. Hospitals do not call us to let us know when a parishioner has been admitted.  If you want a visit from Fr. Del, or another pastoral minister, the only way we know that you are in the hospital is if somebody calls us to let us know.  We are happy to visit the hospital, but we need to be contacted visit parishioners in the hospital, but he needs to know! 

• Fr. Del is always available in emergency circumstances if there is a serious illness or death.  Call the parish number (513-528-1622) and follow the prompts (press 4).  If either priest is not available when you call they can help you get the assistance you need.  Area priests are assigned “on call” days at Mercy Anderson & Clermont, so priests tend to be available in case of emergencies. 

• For people that are homebound, Communion is brought on a weekly or frequent basis.  If you, or somebody you know, is not able to leave his or her home, please call the parish office. 

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated after Masses when there is a 5th Sunday of the Month.