Receiving the Eucharist if housebound.
We can arrange for parishioners who, through illness, cannot attend Mass to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession) and Holy Communion at home. Please contact us to make the necessary arrangements. When appropriate the Sacrament of the Sick can also be administered. We aim for all parishioners who are housebound, permanently or temporarily to be visited by a priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion on a regular basis. Anyone who would like more information for themselves or for a friend/relation is encouraged to make arrangements by calling us on 01303 266430.
Sudden Critical Sickness
Every effort will be made in responding to emergency sick calls. These being where a friend or relative is thought to be at risk of imminent death. Once this situation is known and if needed, you have called emergency services, please contact us on 01303 266430 if you want a priest to attend to administer the Last Rites (also known as Sacrament of the Sick or Anointing of the Sick.)
Serious Illness and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Parishioners who have a serious illness or are planning to have major surgery, are encouraged to contact the parish priest before they are hospitalised in order to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
Question: Is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick just for those at imminent risk of death?
NO! The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. However, it is not only received in the case of imminent death. If you have a serious illness and/or are about to undergo major surgery the Church strongly encourages you to seek the grace of this sacrament. This is illustrated in the following quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 1514 "The Anointing of the Sick "is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived."
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Question: Can you receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick more than once?
YES! The Catechism of the Catholic Church states; 1515 "If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced."
Question:What is the scriptural basis of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
The following extract from the Letter of James is particularly relevant.
"Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (James 5:14-15).
Hospital Patients and the Data Protection Act - how to ensure Catholic priests and chaplains know you are there.
The data protection act now means that the old practice of hospitals providing information to hospital chaplains and parish priests about catholics who are patients no longer takes place automatically. Due to this new law, parish priests and hospital chaplains may not know a catholic has been admitted to hospital. You are reminded that if you or friend/relative are admitted to hospital or residential home you need to make sure the hospital/home records that you are a catholic. You need to make an explicit request that the Catholic Chaplain and/or parish priest is informed. This applies to all patients of any age. It is hoped that parishioners will avail themselves of this wonderful sacrament and do everything they can to encourage sick friends and relatives to receive it. If you or the sick person is a Catholic who has lapsed from regular practice of the Catholic Faith please still speak to a priest at Catholic Hythe about this sacrament. Centuries of practice of the Church bear witness to the value of this Sacrament and many parishioners, have experienced its graces. |
