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Abstract

Sacraments are a foundational part of ritual and doctrine with the Roman Catholic Church. The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is performed by a priest with the use of prayer and blessed oils, which focuses on preparing an individual for death or for resorting health. The purpose of this research was to observe two local parishes and understand how their practice of Anointing of the Sick translated into a ministry that works in conjunction with local members, nursing homes, and hospitals. Key elements include understanding how ministers are trained, how information about these programs is spread, and what specific actions each parish takes to meet the needs of their members. Both parishes met the standards set within the Diocese of Orlando, but improvements should be made with regard to increased communication between the church and nursing homes, and with parish members. The lack of strong communication only leads to difficulties for those seeking assistance from the parish. Findings suggest that there is a need for a Catholic nursing home within the Diocese due to problems within individual facilities. A Catholic nursing home within the area would lead to stronger support for the sick and elderly and their families, and would also encourage a more community based Anointing of the Sick practice.

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