Dear Parishioners:
Last Friday was World Day of the Sick which always falls on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pope Francis writes: “The supreme witness of the Father’s merciful love for the sick is his only-begotten Son. How often do the Gospels relate Jesus’ encounters with people suffering from various diseases! We do well to ask ourselves why Jesus showed such great concern for the sick, so much so that he made it paramount in the mission of the apostles, who were sent by the Master to proclaim the Gospel and to heal the sick.”
This is a good opportunity to pray for the sick and those who care for them. Also, to understand more about the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Suffering and illness affect us in body and spirit. If one member suffers in the Body of Christ, the Church, all the members suffer with that member. In times of frailty, sickness, medical treatment, or surgeries, the parish family assures the infirmed of our care and support through our prayer, personal visits, and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for all who face a serious illness or surgery or are impaired by infirmity. This Sacrament confers a special grace that unites the sick person more intimately to the Passion of Christ. This is for their good and for the good of all the Church. It gives comfort, peace, courage, strength, and even the forgiveness of sins if the sick person cannot make a confession. Sometimes, if it is the will of God, this sacrament even brings about the restoration of physical health. In any case, this Anointing prepares the sick person for the journey to the Father’s House.
Yet all too often, families and loved ones wait until someone is near death and unconscious to call the priest. They should call while the person is alive and conscious although suffering in sickness. It is a healing Sacrament that brings the power of Christ to the sick. It is distinct from what many call “Last Rites,” or Viaticum. When the Church offers Holy Communion as food for the journey to eternal life. Suppose you know you will be hospitalized for a planned surgery. In that case, you should contact the parish before you enter the hospital to arrange a time to celebrate the Sacrament. Often the Sacrament of Anointing can be celebrated after Mass. Call the Parish Office to make an arrangement for the Sacrament.
If someone is in the hospital, simply notify the Catholic Chaplain. They will make arrangements for the Sacrament of the Sick to be offered. If someone is in the hospital, please realize the parish priests are no longer notified by the hospital staff as it is against privacy laws. So if you or a loved one is in the hospital, please let the parish know.
Bishop Evans, Fr. Mahoney, and I and all the area parish priests serve Kent Hospital once or twice a month for a twenty-four-hour period. We continue our regular parish duties, but we make ourselves available for emergencies and for those nearing death who need the sacraments.
We also continue to offer Mass at the local nursing home facilities monthly. In addition, every Sunday at the 9:00 am Mass, our OLM Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick bring Communion to the nursing homes and to all those shut-in at home due to illness or infirmity. Fr. Mahoney and I are available to visit the sick, administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, Confession, or arrange for regular reception of Holy Communion for those shut-in. If you, a member of your family, or a parishioner you know require visits or the Sacraments, please let us know.
We are often the last to find out someone was in the hospital or sick for a while. Sometimes it’s a matter of privacy, but sometimes it’s because a family member neglects to tell us. Some parishioners move away to nursing facilities far from the parish, and we are not informed. Sadly we don’t find out until they’ve died and a funeral has to be arranged.
The Sacrament of the Sick is for both the living and the dying. Please do not hesitate to call for the Catholic Hospital Chaplain, a local priest, or your own parish priest when you or your loved ones need the Sacraments. Pray for the sick and caregivers.
Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless