Hospital Ministry

"Hospital Ministry" is a broad term which covers ministry to local hospitals, nursing and assisted living homes, as well as to shut-ins and others.  Due to a shortage of priests, the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks does not currently have a priest assigned as "Hospital Chaplain."  In order to best serve the people of the diocese, chaplain duties are covered by a combination of local pastors, priests and deacons, as well as members of the laity, mostly through the Stephen Ministry program.  This ministry is presently coordinated by the Office of Stephen Ministry Outreach.

24-Hour Emergency Priest Contact Number

The Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks maintains a 24-hour phone for Catholics in the Fairbanks area who have an urgent need to be seen by a priest.  Call 907-978-5281 to leave a confidential message.  Your call will be returned within an hour.  (For non-emergencies, please wait until regular hours and contact your local pastor.)

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital

Monday through Saturday, Stephen Ministers or other Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist visit the hospital, pray with patients, offer Holy Communion, and arrange for those patients requesting the Sacraments of Reconciliation or Annointing of the Sick to be visited by a priest.

Nursing Home Masses

Mass or a Celebration of Word and Communion is offered each week for residents of Denali Center and the Fairbanks Pioneer Home.  The Mass or service is held at Denali Center every Monday at 10:00 AM, and at the Fairbanks Pioneer Home every Wednesday at 10:00 AM.

Unable to get to Mass due to illness or infirmity?

If you are temporarily unable to attend Mass, contact your parish office to request a visit by your pastor or an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.  If you will be homebound for a longer period of time, arrangements can be made for Holy Communion to be brought to you on a weekly basis.

Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska
Shanna Karella
Director of Stephen Ministries
1316 Peger Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709-5199
907-374-9553 907-374-9580 (Fax)
shanna@cbna.org