The pastoral ministrations of a Catholic Priest are intended to afford spiritual guidance, encouragement and support, and the help of the Sacraments to practicing Catholics who are suffering from a debilitating condition, are facing serious surgery, or are struggling to cope with the emotional challenges which sickness or a hospital stay can produce. A Catholic Priest is also available for those lapsed Catholics wishing to reconcile themselves with the Church.
A Priest should normally be called by the Pastoral Staff or Chaplain of the Health Care Institution (hospital, nursing homes, hospice care). In an emergency a family member or Health Care staff person may also call. Only one person should call, and only one priest should be called. This is to avoid confusion and the unnecessary inconveniencing of a second Priest. Check at the nurses' station for procedures to contact the "on duty" priest chaplain.
Other than the Institution's Catholic Chaplain, the Priest called upon should be from the Parish where the person is registered and practices.
A Priest may be called whenever the Sacraments of Confession (Penance), Anointing of the Sick (formerly called Last Rites), or Eucharist (Communion) are desired, although for Communion a lay Eucharistic Minister may also be available.
Since the Sacraments are for the living, and to help the Christian face the difficulties of disease and the fear of death, the Priest should be called if at all possible well before the person loses consciousness or is at the moment of death, even several days prior when death is in sight.
Area Hospital Pastoral Care Offices
If it is a non-emergency please call the Pastoral Care office at the hospital. If it is an "after hours" emergency, call one of the pastoral care office numbers below and they will be able to contact the "priest chaplain on call" who will be able to assist your request. There are priests assigned by the Archdiocese as chaplains to each of the hospitals listed below.
| Abbott Northwestern (S. Mpls) | Methodist (St. Louis Park) |
| Pastoral: 612-863-4370 Leave Message for Catholic Chaplin |
Pastoral: 952-993-6050 Fr. Tom McDonaugh |
| Hospital: 612-863-4000 | Hospital: 952-993-5000 |
| Henn Cnty Medical Center (HCMC) (Downtown Mpls) |
North Memorial (Robbinsdale)* |
| Pastoral: 612-873-2260 Leave Message for Catholic Chaplin | Pastoral: 763-520-5626 Fr. Jim Livingston |
| Hospital: 612-873-3000 | Hospital: 763-520-5200 |
| Mercy (Anoka-Coon Rapids) | Unity (Fridley) |
| Pastoral: 763-236-8738 Fr. Peter Ali |
Pastoral: 763-236-4536 Fr. Peter Ali |
| Hospital: 763-236-6000 | Hospital: 763-236-5000 |
* Holy Communion is brought to Catholic patients at the hospital each weekday. Eucharistic ministers from St. Raphael's Parish bring Holy Communion to this hospital (North Memorial) on Thursdays.
Please save and post this important information in a prominent place for your convenience. The above information will be updated twice a year in the parish bulletin.