Any individual in critical condition, hospice, or facing imminent death should receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. The sacrament can also be performed upon someone in preparation for a serious (scheduled) medical procedure or someone with a serious illness, physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick can only be performed by priests.
Hospital chaplains and nursing home or assisted living facilities have the cell phone of the priests to contact them in case of an emergency. Families or individuals in homes in need of the sacrament can also request it by contacting either parish office.
During the Rite of the Anointing, the priest begins with the sign of the cross with holy water to remind us of our baptism. Scripture is read, and the Sacrament of Penance will be offered. Then, the priest will lay his hands on the sick person’s head. Then he anoints the person’s forehead and palms of their hands with the oil of the sick, which is blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass. Holy communion may be received at this time, and the priest blesses all present before departing.
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.