Ministry to the Sick

Parishioners who are patients in our local Scranton hospitals are visited by volunteers on a weekly basis. Volunteers help to brighten the day of sick person and convey the good wishes of a caring parish. Volunteers are scheduled on a rotating basis serving one time per month. Volunteers are trained for this ministry and are provided with pastoral materials that are shared with patients. If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact the parish office at (570) 342-4881.

Due to changes in privacy laws (the HIPPA laws), hospitals can no longer share the names of patients with the parish. If you would like a volunteer or the pastor to visit your loved one in the hospital, you must call the parish office [(570) 342-4881] and inform the staff of your loved one's name, the hospital and room number.

Parishioners who reside in local nursing homes may often feel isolated from their parish family. Visitors help them to feel connected and informed. Parishioners who volunteer for this ministry will visit a particular nursing home once a month. They will spend some time with our parishioners sharing news of the parish through bulletins, conversation, and spiritual encouragement. A brief training is provided for all volunteers. If you are interested in serving this ministry, please contact the parish office at (570) 342-4881.

The law places similar restrictions on nursing homes' abilities to share patient information with the parish. If you would like someone from the parish to visit your loved one, please contact the parish office [(570) 342-4881].

Parishioners who are confined to their homes due to age, illness, or infirmity, may receive the Eucharist at home. Holy Communion is taken to our homebound members each Sunday after the 8:30 a.m. Mass (usually starting at 9:30 a.m.).  

If you have a loved one who is unable to attend Mass on the weekend, please inform the parish office at (570) 342-4881, so he/she may be added to the list for a home visit.

The Allied Services is a complex of buildings located on the Morgan Highway. Allied Services provides rehabilitative, assisted living, and nursing care services to disabled and elderly persons from the community. Since Allied Services is located within its boundaries, Mary, Mother of God Parish attends to the spiritual needs of the patients and residents who live in these facilities.

Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center: Each Saturday, teams of volunteers lead a prayer service for those residents who are able to assemble together. Volunteers also take Holy Communion room to room to all Catholic residents.

Allied Services Rehabilitative Hospital: Each Monday afternoon, teams of volunteers distribute Holy Communion door to door to all Catholics who are medically able to receive.

Those who volunteer for these ministries are placed on rotating teams and serve approximately once every five weeks. New members are always needed and welcome to join at any time. Training is provided. For more information, please contact the parish office at (570)342-4881.