If you would like to be anointed with the oil for the sick, please contact the Parish Office.

Anointed in Christ with the Oil of Hope 

Miracles do happen. Just look around and see how many people are visiting Lourdes, Fatima, etc. Some are physically ill; many are spiritually sick. We all look for healing and we all know that it is much more difficult to heal a broken heart than a broken leg. We all are in need of the healing touch of Jesus, the Healer.

Sacraments are channels of healing, forgiveness and constant love. No wonder why in the Catholic Church they are the main focus of the Church's activity. In the sacraments we offer our worship in union with our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Healer, God the Father gave us. As Christians, we believe that through the Church, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ pours out His redemptive love upon everyone who is God's child.

The sacrament of anointing of the sick is not an exception from this case. This sacrament implies an anointing with oil (on forehead and hands and, if necessary on the sick place of the body), while praying. First, the priest anoints the forehead, saying: "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit..." Then, he anoints the hands, saying: "May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up..."

There is a rich history behind the sacrament of anointing of the sick, which makes us under-stand better what this sacrament is all about. The way we understand this sacrament today is based on how the Church tried to understand and explain it throughout centuries. Some people may understand this sacrament as an 'action' or 'something' which should be accomplished only before death. No wonder why in the past it was said about this sacrament as, "the last rites." Even today we can hear, unfortunately pretty often, the same, old expression.

Others will see in the anointing something magic and mysterious which, occasionally, can "even" heal. Nothing is more wrong than these opinions.

The scriptural references of this sacrament teach us a lesson: the anointing should not be seen as "the last sacrament."

"And the disciples cast out many demons and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them." (Mk 6:13)