While patients and hospital staff can, very fortunately, call for the sacramental and pastoral services of a Catholic priest while in the hospital, a new fact of hospital life today is that patients are often very swiftly in and out of treatment. It is possible that the priest will not be able to see you as soon as you wish.

Therefore, it is better for you to talk to a priest here in our parish before you go to the hospital and receive all three sacraments that are available for those facing surgery, serious illness, or old age: Penance, the Annointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist.

In addition, the priests as well as the members of our parish who are involved in our hospital care giving ministry and home visitation will know about your illness and will be able to visit and support you through your recovery.

Many people tend to deny that they are sick and in need of prayers. This is a very human response which keeps sufferers from receiving what they need and deserve - and what the Church is ready to offer.

If you are ill, or a loved one is ill, or even while we are in good health, we may need to confront and replace the old idea that people should only be anointed with the Oil of the Sick at the hour of death. People once called these prayers and the sacramental anointing “the Last Rites”, as if the prayers were only for those who were already or very near to dying. This understanding and image is wrong. This sacrament of THE ANNOINTING OF THE SICK, a tangible sign of God’s love, IS FOR THE LIVING. (There is a special communion rite, called viaticum, and special prayers reserved for people who are close to death, but the other rites of pastoral care for the sick are intended for those who are seriously ill or facing surgery.)

Finally, your attitude during sickness or suffering will be helped by your stronger identification with Christ. Sickness is not a total disaster. If we turn to God with our complaints and fears, letting God answer us in God’s own way, and if we cooperate with those who can help us, then any sickness can end in God’s glory and prepare us for greater happiness.