“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ. 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 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.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1499, 1514-1515
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered to the dying as well as to those who are gravely ill or about to undergo a serious operation. This sacrament of mercy and healing offers prayers for the recovery, but its primary intention is to give spiritual strength and calm the soul of the one suffering from illness. Traditionally, this sacrament was referred to as Extreme Unction or Last Rites.
Please call the Parish Office at 303-849-5313 to schedule an anointing.
More Information
If you or a family member are going to the hospital, prior to going you should call the Parish Office to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. When you or a family member are hospitalized or are homebound and are in need of this sacrament, please call the parish at 303-849-5313. A new Federal privacy law could make it difficult for priests, deacons or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to visit the sick in hospitals and nursing homes. It is important for the patient or their immediate family to notify the parish office of hospital admission. We will not be able to get a list of Catholic patients from the hospitals.
It is also necessary for the patient or immediate family member to inform the hospital that they desire visits from the chaplain when they are admitted. This will allow us to visit. It is important that it is the patient or their family who makes these notifications, the privacy law will not allow us to respond if the request is made by a friend or some other non-family member.
If you anticipate a hospital stay or have a serious health problem, please ask Father for the Anointing after Mass. Waiting until the last minute could result in no priest being available, or no time for the priest to arrive. This sacrament is for healing and should occur early in the illness and when the patient is able to participate in it.
Funerals
If you have lost a loved one, please contact our Parish Office at 303-849-5313 so we can assist you in having your funeral.