This week I’d like to talk about our ministry to the sick. As you know, we offer the sacraments of Penance, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Communion to parishioners who are homebound or live in the many care facilities in our area. When there is an emergency, we may also go to visit a parishioner in a nearby hospital or at their home.
T
he Lord provides the sacraments for the spiritual health of our sick and elderly to comfort them and strengthen them in time of need. The stories are sometimes very inspiring. For example, recently I visited a local nursing care facility and met a person who had not been to confession for over thirty years. It was a great joy to hear the feeling of relief when the person had finished and was ready again to receive our Lord in Holy Communion after so long a time.Our Extraordinary Ministers also visit the sick, especially on Sundays when the priests a
re busy in church. We have about twenty volunteers who visit more than sixty persons to bring them Holy Communion. This is a true work of love, to bring Christ in the Sacrament of love to His people. Jesus says, “I was sick and you visited me.” Our extraordinary ministers of Communion are a great example of stewardship of time, giving of themselves to those who are lonely and in need of healing. Please remember to pray for our ministers who share their time for the good of God’s people.
Speaking of visiting Jesus, we have more adorers on our roster since last week. The blessings of Eucharistic adoration are many. Just recently two young men came to me inquiring about a vocation to the priesthood. You can see that Jesus is blessing our parish already now that we are making Him more available in the Sacrament of his love.
Have a great week,
Fr. Hildebrand
