Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s of the Lake,

On TUESDAY JUNE 7TH we are going to celebrate the SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK at a special ‘Healing Mass’ at 11 AM at the church of St. Mary’s in Lakewood [No 8:30 am Mass this day]. Being one of the Seven Sacraments, this Sacrament has its base in this Bible passage: ‘Is anyone among you sick? S/he should summon the presbyters (priests) of the church, and they should pray over him/her and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him/her up. If s/he has committed any sins, s/he will be forgiven.’ (James 5: 14-15).

 This Sacrament of Anointing confers a special grace & blessing upon the person experiencing the difficulty

inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age. In this Sacrament, along with the Scripture readings, prayers and petitions, the priest uses the Blessed Oil to anoint on the forehead and on the palms of the hands of the sick person

praying that the soothing & comforting, easing & healing power of Jesus be with the person so that s/he may have the relief & healing –especially the peace of mind & the strength of heart --always trusting in the Loving Care of our God, even when the person is facing a grave sickness or an imminent death. The Prayer which the priest uses during the Anointing is as follows: ‘Through this Holy Anointing, may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. R./ AMEN! May the Lord who frees you from sins save you and raise you up. R./ AMEN!’ The Sacrament of the Anointing is oftentimes celebrated in the hospitals, nursing homes or in the residence of the sick person. It can also be celebrated in a context of a Mass (as we are doing on June 7th). The sickness can be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual... and is usually serious innature. The person is the one who judges the condition of the sickness and requests the Sacrament. Oftentimes, a person may request the Sacrament before having a major surgery. It is also to be noted that the Anointing can be received more than once (for example, when the sickness gets more serious).

Will you arrange your time and bring your family members and/or loved ones to this special ‘Anointing Mass.’ As a ‘work of mercy’, you may consider inviting and/or bringing a neighbor or a friend to this special Mass. As always: don’t hesitate to contact me or the Parish Office when a family member is seriously ill, and I will arrange to have the Anointing at home as well.

   

Fr. Philip