The Church today encourages the celebration of this sacrament when one of the faithful “begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 73). If one recovers, the sacrament may be administered again later. Someone who is ill may be anointed before a serious operation, as may the elderly when they become notably weakened with the advance of age.
INDIVIDUAL ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Periodically during the year, the Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated at Mass for all of those who need the grace of healing and hope provided in this sacrament.
The priests, deacons, and lay ministers of the parish are interested in visiting parishioners when they are in the hospital. However, hospitals no longer automatically inform parishes when a parishioner is admitted. We will be able to visit only if we know you are in a hospital. It is most helpful to us when you or a family member notifies the parish office.
Trained women and men journey with parishioners who are sick, grieving, home-bound, or hospitalized during times of serious illness or other significant life events, lending spiritual, emotional, and physical support as needed.
Holy Communion is brought once a week to those who are sick or unable to go to church on a regular basis. If you or a family member wants to receive communion at home on a regular or temporary basis, please call the parish office.
Contact: Sue Wilbert [email protected]
While patients and hospital staff can, very fortunately, call for the sacramental and pastoral services of a Catholic priest while in the hospital, a new fact of hospital life today is that patients are often very swiftly in and out of treatment. It is possible that the priest will not be able to see you as soon as you wish. Therefore, it is better for you to talk to a priest here in our parish before you go to the hospital and receive those sacraments that are available for those facing surgery, serious illness, or old age: Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist.
In addition, the priests as well as the members of our parish who are involved in our hospital caregiving ministry and home visitation will know about your illness and will be able to visit and support you through your recovery.
Many people tend to deny that they are sick and in need of prayers. This is a very human response. However, it keeps sufferers from receiving what they need and deserve – and what the Church is ready to offer. If you or a loved one is ill you may need to confront and replace the old idea that people should only be anointed with the Oil of the Sick at the hour of death. People once called these prayers and the sacramental anointing the “Last Rites,” as if these prayers were only for those who were already or very near to dying. This understanding and image are wrong.
There is a special communion rite, called viaticum, and special prayers are reserved for people who are close to death, but the other rites of pastoral care for the sick are intended for those who are seriously ill, facing surgery, or struggling with the frailties of old age.
Finally, your attitude during sickness or suffering will be helped by your stronger identification with Christ. Sickness is not a total disaster. If we turn to God with our complaints and fears, letting God answer us in God’s own way, and if we cooperate with those who can help us, then any sickness can end in God’s glory and prepare us for greater happiness.