St. Anthony on the Desert Pastoral Care Web

We were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

Emergency Clergy Support
In addition to scheduled visits in homes or hospitals, in the event of an emergency, the clergy can be reached at the following numbers:
The Rev. Dorian Mulvey 480.729.0415
The Rev. Susan Cihak 480.628.1082
The Rev. Grant Gilfeather 480.540.8480

Non-Emergency Pastoral Support
A special email is available to request assistance from any of the pastoral ministries listed and to provide information to the clergy regarding upcoming hospitalizations, medical treatments or other situations where pastoral care would be helpful:
pastoralcare@st-anthony.net

This email account is confidential and is monitored on a daily basis to insure timely care as needed.

Pastoral Care Ministries

The pastoral ministries at St. Anthony seek to offer support, care and God's abundant love. The following ministries make up our pastoral web where we seek to insure that all pastoral needs are captured.

Eucharistic Visitors
At the conclusion of each Sunday service, Lay Eucharistic Visitors bring communion to those unable to attend worship. Communion is regularly delivered to a nearby retirement community, to nursing homes, hospitals and private residences.
Ministry Facilitator - Deacon Susan Cihak

Healing Prayer Ministry
Every Sunday prayer ministers gather in the chapel during communion and following the services to offer prayers and the laying on of hands for those requesting healing prayers, and also prayers of thanksgiving for healing gifts received.
Ministry Facilitator - Rosemary Hansen

Helping Hearts and Hands
This pastoral care team serves in many different ways - providing meals for those dealing with health or personal issues, drivers to get to church or dosctors' appointments, cards filled with messages of love, check-in phone calls and hosting of funeral receptions.
Ministry Facilitator - Pat Schmid

Needlecrafts for Need
Members of this ministry team offer their creative gifts and skills to create prayer shawls, lap blankets, hats and baby blankets that are given to those dealing with illness as well as to area shelters surrounding each recipient with a tangible sense of God's love.
Ministry Facilitator - Janet Allen

Prayer Chain
This team of prayer warriors is on call for all prayer requests. Team members commit to pray daily for all concerns and are also called into action for immediate emergency prayer requests.
Ministry Facilitator - Inge Bolan

WMP - Transporting Grief into Joyful Living
Through a supportive group facilitated process participants share stories, reflect on ways of honoring their deceased loved ones and discover that God continues to lead them to new joy-filled times. This ministry team offers eight week workshops periodically throughout the year to meet the needs of parishioners and community members. The team is composed of clergy, trained facilitators, prayer partners and reception hosts.
Ministry Facilitator - Deacon Susan Cihak

Walking the Mourner’s Path - National Ministry
St. Anthony serves as home base for this ministry that offers training and assorted program materials to churches across the country. This unique grief program helps navigate those challening times following the death of a loved one. This ministry team is comprised of trainers, sales, marketing and administrative volunteers.
National Program Director - Catherine Gilbert