Continuing the healing ministry of Christ in the world today, the Church takes special care for those who are sick. The Church also has a special sacrament for those who are seriously ill in which the sick person is anointed with oil. It is important to note that it is celebrated for those who are sick – the Church cannot anoint someone who has died and it is not a last rite of commendation for the dying. Someone may be anointed before surgery, elderly people may be anointed on account of the weakness of age, sick children may be anointed, and the sacrament may be repeated if the illness becomes more serious. The minister of anointing is the priest who acts in the name of Christ and the Church.

As a sacrament, anointing gives the sick person God’s grace to cope with suffering and brings to bear the ministry of the whole Church in love and care. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, the whole person is helped and saved, sustained by trust in God and strengthened.

In individual cases, parishioners are invited to contact the parish office so that the priest can visit and celebrate the sacrament with the sick person and their family.