Anointing of the Sick

There is quite a bit of confusion and mystery surrounding the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. In many cases, this was once called "extreme unction" or "last rites." In recent years, the Church has moved away from this language, because it suggested that the Sacrament could be recieved only once and that it was to be received only in the last moments of life. Neither of these suggestions are true.

The Cathechism puts it this way: "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.'"

If you or someone you know needs the anointing, please call the office at (517) 323-2379. Our Priests are willing to set up appointments for the anointing, especially if some kind of medical procedure is planned in advance. Additionally, any priest is able to get into the hospital, hospice, nursing home, private residence, etc. in emergency situations.

Additionally, St. Gerard hosts a quarterly Mass that also includes the opportunity to be anointed. See the parish bulletin for those date.