Anointing of the Sick

“Are there people sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up. If they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.” (James 5:14-15)

This Sacrament, formerly called “Extreme Unction” or “Last Rites,” is administered on an individual basis as necessary. It is properly administered to one who is in mortal peril, is seriously ill, or in lesser cases, is dealing with a chronic health condition. It can also be administered in advance of surgery. The sacrament of anointing should not be administered more than once for the same illness, unless the person (partially) recovered and fell ill again, or if the illness has become significantly worse.

Both Lancaster General Hospital and Lancaster Regional (St. Joseph) Hospital have full-time Catholic priests as chaplains. If anointing at the hospital is needed in an emergency, please have the hospital contact the chaplain.

If a friend or family member of the parish is in the hospital (including other Lancaster area hospitals such as Heart of Lancaster in Lititz, Hospice in Mt. Joy, etc.), please call the rectory.

IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY AFTER THE OFFICE IS CLOSED, then please follow the directions in the switchboard for the emergency contact.

We also provide the Sacrament of Anointing during Mass on the 3rd Friday of each month, and on the 5th Sunday of the month at after the 10:30 am Mass.

Visiting the Homebound

Holy Communion is carried to homebound parishioners by Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion.

The priests are available for you if you would also like to receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and/or the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation.

Please call the rectory to make arrangements for these visits. We are pleased to visit the homebound…please do not hesitate to call us.