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Ministry to the HomeboundHomebound ministers joyfully bring the Good News and Eucharist to parishioners in their homes, in the hospital, and in retirement and assisted living/care facilities. This ministry critically keeps those who are isolated from the community physically in spiritual communion with the Body of Christ. It is a grace-filled ministry that requires prayerfulness, listening, empathy, caring and presence.
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Anointing of the SickIn the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient. When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. ~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults |
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ReconcilationEvery day before Mass
or by appointment It is humbling, yet necessary, to admit that we are not perfect. Through the grace of this sacrament, we are not only be mindful of our failings but must voice them to another. The priest as the symbol of a loving God receives that which causes us pain and lifts it up to God for healing. In that admission of falling short, we are forgiven and made new again--and invited to renew our commitment to be transformed into all God hopes and dreams for us. |