Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered to anyone who feels the need for healing from any illness, physical or spiritual. A sick person may be anointed before surgery, for the recovery of their health and for their spiritual strength.
Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament that gives a person grace as strengthening, peace, and courage to overcome the difficulties that are associated with disease, illness, broken relationships, spiritual desolation and dying. Along with the sacrament of Confession, it is considered a sacrament of healing.
Anointing of the Sick creates a union with the Passion of Christ (Jesus’ suffering on the cross). Just as Christ suffered and was glorified, a personalso receives grace through suffering, a consequence of original sin, so that there is a healing of the soul. And because Christ’s sacrifice brought salvation to the human race, when we are united with his suffering we can offer it in union with his suffering for the good of others.
Anointing also brings grace upon the whole of the Church because each member of the Church is united as one in the Body of Christ. It brings the forgiveness of sins if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Finally, this sacrament can be seen as preparation for the final journey to heaven mostly for those that suffer from serious or terminal illness and infirmity. When the Eucharist is given to someone who is dying, this is called viaticum, ‘food for the journey’.
Just as not all illnesses are visible, our mental health can also need healing.
Receiving the Anointing of the Sick Sacrament
The Anointing of the Sick is takes place:
Communal anointment of the sick takes place at 10.00am on the first Friday of every month at St. Joseph’s and St. Elizabeth’s.
Communal anointment of the sick takes place at 7.00pm on the first Friday of every month at St. Edmund Campion.
Communal anointment of the sick takes place at 10.00am on the first Friday of every month at St. Thomas More.
The Anointing of the Sick can only be carried out by a priest. If you would like to arrange for a priest to make a home visit, please e-mail or ring our priests.
St. Joseph’s and St. Elizabeth’s – Fr Ephraim Odhiambo eodhiambo@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Tel: 07785 727951
St. Edmund Campion – Fr Liam Cummins
lcummins@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Tel: 07776 580596
St. Thomas More – Fr. Kevin Hughes
khughes@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Tel: 07941 528933
Anointing of the Sick in Hospital
If you know of somebody in a local hospital who needs to be anointed, please contact the Hospital chaplains.
Frimley, Heatherwood and Wexham Park
Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 4184
Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospital is Kay Gatt on 07759 560894 or 0300 615 3660.
Royal Berks Hospital:
RBH Hospital Chaplain
Monday – Friday from 8.00am to 4.00pm via 0118 322 7105.
Urgent and Out of office hours: contact switchboard (0118 322 5111) to ask for the on call chaplain.
Hospital visits
If you are going into hospital or know or someone that is, please inform the hospital chaplain on arrival. Please also let your priest know so that arrangements can be made for a visit.
Please note that under the Data Protection Act, hospital staff cannot disclose patient information. We rely on Parishioners to keep us in the loop.
Housebound visits
If you know of anyone who is sick and/or housebound please let priest know via the parish office so that a visit can be arranged.
Healing Masses
WHAT IS A HEALING MASS?
Healing Masses are opportunities to directly seek physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual healing.
During the Healing Mass, the sacrament of Anointing the sick is also administered communally.
These Masses include a homily that is focused on healing, prayers of the faithful that are directly asking God to heal us, and prayers after communion that are prayed by the Priest to help facilitate greater healing in our lives.
The Mass is the most powerful way that we can seek healing as Christians. Jesus is present in the Mass through the Scriptures, through giving Himself to us in His Body and His Blood, and through our worship of Him. He is the one who heals us. The Mass helps to facilitate the healing that Jesus wants to give to all of us.
These special Masses will take place on the first Friday of each month:
St. Joseph’s – 10.00am
St. Edmund Campion – 7.00pm
St Thomas More – 10.00am
MARK 6:13
And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
