Pastoral Care of the Sick
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5: 14-15).
St. Margaret’s parishioners surely reach out to the aged, infirm, and those who need the Church to come to them!
Specifically, the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties that come with grave illness or old age. When can someone receive the sacrament? Certainly, it is when the believer begins to be in danger of death due to illness or old age. Each time a Christian fall seriously ill, he may receive the Anointing of the Sick. In the sacrament, the priest uses oil blessed by the bishop (or if necessary, oil the presbyter himself blesses). The person is anointed on the forehead and hands, and this anointing is accompanied by liturgical prayer asking for the special graces to be received.
Anointing unites the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church. It strengthens the Christian to endure suffering in a dignified manner. It forgives sins should the person be unable to obtain the graces of sacramental Reconciliation. It restores health and is conducive to salvation; it prepares the gravely ill for passing to eternal life.
A Work of Mercy
Visits to the ill, aged, and infirm are made regularly by the Pastor and upon request by the sick person or their immediate family by calling the Parish Office. Emergency calls should be directed to the same number; the person should follow the automated prompts to leave a message with contact information and the Priest will soon return their call and prepare a visit as soon as possible.
The Church Comes to You!
A designated ministry for Eucharist to the Homebound provides regularly scheduled visits by parishioners to individuals who cannot attend Sunday Eucharist temporarily due to illness or surgery or more permanently due to age and health. Requests for Homebound Eucharist should be directed toward the Pastor.