The parish priests bring Holy Communion to the homebound parishioners on a monthly basis, at which time the Sacrament of the Sick would be administered to the shut-ins in their home. Parishioners entering the hospital or undergoing medical tests are always invited to receive this sacrament prior to the hospital procedure.

However, civil law prohibits a priest from visiting the infirm without prior permission. Please contact the Parish office if anyone in your family is in need of the Sacrament. St. Patrick's Church offers two special Anointing of the Sick Masses each year.

In the past, anointing was done near time of death. The new rites restore a proper balance between the pastoral ministry to the sick and the pastoral ministry to the dying.

Theology today understands anointing as the Sacrament of the Sick; the former conditions for its reception, i.e. danger of death, has been replaced by the concept of illness.

Consequently the healing effects of the sacrament (cf. James 5:14-167) now find renewed emphasis. The Anointing of the Sick is the prayer of Christ and His Church for the physical and spiritual health of the seriously sick person.

Who may be anointed:

1. A sick person may be anointed before he or she undergoes surgery, whether or not the surgery is serious.
2. Persons with chronic illness.
3. Old persons, even if they are not suffering from a dangerous illness.
4. A seriously sick child may be anointed in order to be comforted by the Sacrament.
5. Mentally and emotionally disable persons.

You are warmly invited to consider receiving this wonderful Sacrament if you are in need of the special healing touch of Christ due to your illness.