Anointing (Pastoral care of the sick/housebound)

Young, middle-aged or elderly can be affected by physical or mental illness at any time. It can be relatively minor, reasonably substantial or concerningly severe – and can be short, medium or long-term.

Those who are sick and/or housebound, those who care for them or who worry about them, are of special concern to the Parish – and they are remembered regularly in prayer.

If you have a medium to long-term substantial sickness – or are similarly housebound – and would like a visit from the priest, please contact the Parish Office in the first instance. Fr Chris would be very happy to visit to offer support, and to offer comfort in the Sacraments of Confession/Reconciliation and/or Holy Communion. In certain circumstances, you may be offered the Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing). At one stage, this Sacrament was seen as being only for those who were critically ill. This is no longer the case, and it is now more fully understood to be a Sacrament of Healing for body and mind – for the whole being of the person who receives it – giving great strength and comfort, not only to them, but also to their families and friends, and those who care for them or who worry about them. The Sacrament of the Sick can be received at regular periods during the course of an illness, or during a state of infirmity and frailty.