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Extreme Unction - Anointing of the Sick

Extreme Unction is also called the Anointing of the Sick. "By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ."

If you are someone in your family would like to request this Sacrament please contact the parish office. 

For more information on the Sacrament of Extreme Unction - read the Catechism of the Catholic Church Article 5 online. 


END-OF-LIFE PREPARATIONS

Dear Friends,

Periodically I am approached by people who recognize the need to be prepared for their, or their loved one’s, end-of-life. Many of us have questions about how, as a Catholic, one can prepare for end-of-life health care decisions as well as for funeral arrangements, etc..

I do not encourage using the common secular “Advance Directives”, otherwise known as a “Living Will” that are handed out by various secular sources. These are written from a secular world view and in some cases can lean in the direction of going against God’s plan for us as articulated by our holy Mother the Church.

The National Catholic Bioethics Center has a very good resource entitled “A Catholic Guide to End-of-Life Decisions which can be purchased online. This publication includes an explanation of Church teachings touching on the topics of advance directives, euthanasia, and physician assisted suicide. It also includes a “Medical Power of Attorney, a Health Care Proxy form, and the Advance Medical Directive form.

The Catholic Guide to End-of-Life Decisions may be obtained at the following website:
https://www.ncbcenter.org/store/catholic-guide-to-end-of-life-decisions-english-pdf-download

Additionally, resources for helping to prepare for the rites and other arrangements surrounding one’s death and funeral may be found here:
https://www.archgh.org/media/15347/a-planning-guide-for-eol-care-071720.pdf

It is important to be prepared in advance for the sacred event of our passing from this phase of life. These preparations will enable us to express our wishes and ease the burden of our loved ones in their time of loss.

Oremus pro invincem (Let us pray for each other),
Fr. Paul Felix
Pastor