The two sacraments of healing maintain that faith as Christ walks the journey of life with us:
The sacraments of Anointing of the Sick, and of Penance.
Anointing of the Sick and Penance
Life is a sacred gift, and all persons are made in the image and likeness of God. No matter how small or insignificant a person might seem to the world, they are beloved of God. Care of the sick, and of the dying, and of those enduring terminal illness, and of their loved ones, is a central part of the Church’s ministry of love and prayer. In caring for the dying, in particular, the Church on earth accompanies a person on their final journey back towards the Creator, towards eternal life.
End of life care is a journey of accompaniment, and at the heart of it, involves the sacraments of healing, namely the anointing of the sick and of penance, whether that is in a care institution or at home. It is always best to alert the priest while a person is still conscious, so that they may more fully engage in the sacraments. However, circumstances are always beyond our control, so please contact us as soon as you can, and we will do our best to respond to you.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the ancient way in which the Church comforts her sick and dying members with the forgiveness of sins and the earnest prayer for healing. It is available to those who experience sickness or deterioration in sickness. It is not merely for the immediate end of life, since the sacraments, properly, sustain our lives of faith and hope on earth. If you would like to receive the Sacrament, even if you are not housebound, please just speak to a priest at any time.
Sick and Housebound
If you, a relative, or neighbour is housebound, through sickness, disability, or old age, home visits can be arranged both with a priest and with lay people. Please just get in touch with us if you or your friend or relative would like or needs a visit from a priest. Please be aware, that perhaps for circumstances beyond their control, the current priest may not be fully aware of their housebound status, so please continue to keep us updated.
Please just call 01603 624615 or email the Cathedral Office at parish@sjbcathedral.org.uk.
Care Homes or Hospices
If you or a relative or friend is in a local care home or hospice and requires a visit from a priest, please contact the Cathedral Office by telephone 01603 624615 or email parish@sjbcathedral.org.uk. If your relative is moved, we might not know about it. We welcome updates about our parishioners, just in case we don’t know they have been moved, or have deteriorated in health.
A private house, or a care home, or hospice which is outside of our parish may have to be referred to the local parish priest, however, in an emergency or according to pastoral necessity, we will try to assist as much as possible if the parish priest himself is not available.
Norfolk & Norwich Hospital [NNUH]
The NNUH has its own chaplaincy, including a duty Catholic priest chaplain, and a team of Catholic volunteers. If you or your relative is in hospital and requires a Catholic priest, please contact the NNUH chaplaincy directly 01603 287470 or inform the ward itself that the Catholic priest is required. Then the correct duty chaplain will be called by the chaplaincy. Immediate action might not be able to be taken if you leave a message on the Cathedral Office telephone.
The Seven Sacraments
Contact Details
Cathedral Office
Norfolk & Norwich Hospital Chaplaincy
