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Sacrament of the SickAnointing of the Sick
Visits to the Homebound
& Rites for Emergencies -
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The Church offers the Anointing of the Sick to Catholics in a variety of circumstances. It is helpful to know that the Sacrament is available, as well as when and how to request a Priest.
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Are there people sick among you?
Let them send for the priests of the Church,
and let the priests pray over them,
anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
The prayer of faith will save the sick persons,
and the Lord will raise them up.
If they have committed any sins,
their sins will be forgiven them.
-Ritual of Anointing of the Sick, James 5:14-15Anointing of the Sick, not to be confused with Last Rites (a term not officially used in the Church), is a Sacrament offered to Catholics who have a serious illness, and are in need of healing. The Ritual, administered by a Priest, includes the laying on of hands, the anointing with the oil, and may also include the other Sacraments of Reconciliation or Communion.
Parishioners who know that their loved one is persistently ill, or anticipate a medical procedure, should request God's grace and mercy in this Sacrament. Those that expect that this Sacrament is only available to those who are actively dying may be mistaken. This Sacrament is normally celebrated in the midst of Family or of Community, rather than a private event (with the exception of a Sacramental Confession).
Parishioners who attend Mass, or make appointments with our office, may visit our Church to receive the Sacrament. For more information on receiving a priest visit for the homebound or for an emergency, please refer to the subsequent tabs.
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Homebound visits, often in proximity to the First Friday, or upon within the request of the family, usually include Communion, and may also include the Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation (if requested). Homebound Parishioners, who are unable to regularly participate in the our Sunday worship should feel welcome to contact us to receive these Sacraments.
◦ Fr. Jim Mott- retired Pastor at 80 continues to do spiritual ministry, especially to the home bound. He was first assigned here in 1972 and served for 15 years, 8 as pastor. He then returned in 2007 to administer the parish until he began ‘limited service’ 3 years ago. He did this so he could stay in touch with families whom he has known for 50 years.
"It’s very rewarding to be able to pray and administer the Sacraments with family members to loved ones who have gotten to know one of their priests. It’s comforting for the ill to see a familiar face behind the Roman collar. Our priests are here for you. "
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The Sacrament of the Sick is most often sought out under the title of "Last Rites," with the assumption that it is only available for those who are actively dying. Our Priests offer an abbreviated version of the Anointing of the Sick for those in Emergency. This Rite allows the Priest to offer absolution for sins to a dying person who is too incapacitated to Confess their Sins, in addition to the Anointing of the Sick. Communion may be given as "Viaticum.
The reasons that a family may request a priest for an emergency include receiving a terminal prognosis or being brought to a Hospital for an Emergency and await a prognosis. Although the priests are available after business hours, it is important to reach out to a priest sooner, rather than in the last moments. One may keep in mind that the Sacrament of Anointing is always available to those who are sick, and arrangements may be made further in advance without waiting for a crisis.
Our Priests also receive emergency phone calls from Kaiser LAMC on Sunset, for staff that call on behalf of Catholic patients. Although they visit parishioners who might happen to be in another hospital, our priests may only commit to one place at a time. All anticipated Hospital visits or medical procedures warrant an advance request for an Anointing from us, or their parish priest, within the week of the medical appointment. A priest may not be immediately available for those on their way into a planned medical procedure.
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