Care for the Sick and Dying

When you or someone you love becomes ill, is scheduled for surgery, returns from the hospital, is struggling with mental illness or some addiction, it is easy to feel frightened, alone and overwhelmed. Consider requesting the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick or entering their names in our Parish Book of Prayer. If you are unable to join us for prayer due to illness, someone from the parish can bring you communion. Call the Parish Office.

If you or someone from your family will be entering a hospital, please call and let us know. When you are admitted to the hospital, you will need to authorize the hospital to let us know that you are in the hospital.

Prayer of the Church - What about the "last rites"? 

The scriptures present to us a Jesus who heals. The implication for us is that we as a church continue the work of Jesus – including the work of healing. That is why we have a Health Ministry in our parish. The Church has three rites of prayer to care for the sick.

In the past we may have let healing be the work of priests, sisters, and chaplains. We may have heard others talking about calling the priest before someone is about to die and ask for the “last rites.” We used to think that the anointing was our “last rites” – “extreme unction” we called it. But we know that you don’t have to be dying to be anointed. The strong grace of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick is available to all who are seriously sick. This sacrament is ideally celebrated before one enters the hospital or at the hospital with family and friends gathered around. When there is the opportunity to plan ahead, we can celebrate anointing at one of our weekday masses or on the weekend or in someone’s home if they are unable to come to the community. It is meant to be prayer that strengthens and comforts those who are ill or who are about to face serious surgery. Please contact the Parish Center and let us know. If you are admitted to the hospital, they will ask you if you want your church to be notified. If you don’t tell them you are a member of St. Anne and that you want us to be notified, we won’t know and won’t be able reach out in care and prayer. Remember to place the name or names of those who are ill in our Parish Book of Prayer.

The Church’s care of the sick has two other rites that are not often understood by many.  One is called viaticum and the other is called commendation of the dying. Viaticum is intended for those who are clearly on the journey to death. It is a Latin word which means “food to go with you on the way.” When communion is shared with those who are dying it is called viaticum. The bread of life, the cup of eternal salvation – these are our final nourishment of this earth and our promise of safe passover to the next. Jesus said that those who eat of this bread and drink of this cup have life to the full. We have a ministry dedicated to bring communion to the sick and to those who are dying. It is food for the journey and keeps one connected to the body of Christ.

Commendation of the dying is a special prayer of the church for those who are very near death. It is best celebrated with family and friends gathered at the hospital or one’s home. It is a prayer of comfort and letting go. Those present pray powerful verses from the Scriptures, a litany of the saints, prayers for the one who is about to die, and share peace with all present. It is one of the most sacred experiences I have the privilege of participating in.

When I anoint someone or bring viaticum or pray the commendation of the dying, I do so in your name and the entire church community. That is what the ordained do. However anyone can bring viaticum or pray the commendation of the dying.