Saint Max Church

Pastoral Care of the Sick

What is Pastoral Care of the Sick

Jesus Christ is our model for the pastoral care of the sick. He healed people in every walk of life. Christ’s intent was to bring spiritual and physical healing. Thus, pastoral care is a holistic approach which promotes care to the whole person.  The diversity of pastoral care can be as simple as making a visit to the sick. We bring Christ through our presence. Listening, praying, reading scripture, and simply being present to the sick delivers comfort and caring in a way that shows the community continues to be mindful of those that are ill.


Priests are given the responsibility to prepare the sick for the reception of the Sacraments of Eucharist, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick. Likewise, a caring ministry continues to be a responsibility of not only clergy but by all followers of Christ.  All Christians are encouraged to visit the sick. In volume I, The Rites of the Catholic Church reminds us that since the sick are unable to celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist with the community it is essential that pastoral visits by clergy and trained Extraordinary Ministers often include Holy Communion as a means to sacramentally unite the sick to the Lord as well as to the parish community from which their illness has separated them. The Rites of the Catholic Church also states, "For the sick the reception of communion is not only a privilege but also a sign of support and concern shown by the Christian community for its members who are ill."

Ministry Contacts

Lakmé Kodros
(513) 777-4322
Ext 105

Homebound, Hospitalized and Nursing Homes

If you have a sacramental emergency that requires the immediate assistance of a priest, please call Fr. Jim at 513-777-4322 and choose option 1.

To make arrangements for reception of the Sacraments of Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, Penance and/or visits to the hospitalized or seriously ill parishioners, please contact Lakmé Kodros at 777-4322, Ext. 105, lkodros@saint-max.org. Please note that if you are in the hospital, privacy regulations prohibit the hospital personnel from contacting your parish. Therefore, you or your family members should let us know directly by calling the parish office.