We recently announced that we will celebrate the Mass of the Anointing of the Sick on Sunday, October 6^th at the 12:00 Mass. For many in the parish, this sacrament is not understood very well. In the “old days” it was called “Extreme Unction” and was given when someone was at the point of death. The Church’s teaching today is different.

     The teaching is based on the Letter of St. James from the New Testament. In the letter, St. James says the sick are to be anointed in order to raise them up and save them.So the Church teaches that great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive this sacrament.

     The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then again falls ill or if during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious.A sick person may be anointed before surgery. Elderly people may be anointed if they have become weakened even though no serious illness is present. Sick children may be anointed is they have sufficient use of reason to be strengthened by the sacrament. The faithful should be anointed when the time is right and the sacrament should not be delayed. 

     In the instruction on this sacrament, that Church reminds all of us that those who are seriously ill need the special help of God’s grace in this time of anxiety, “lest they be broken in spirit and, under the pressure of temptation, become weakened in their faith.” So through the sacrament of anointing, Christ strengthens the faithful who are afflicted by illness or injury, providing them with the strongest support. So the decision to receive this sacrament is left to each individual.

     I urge everyone to seriously consider whether or not they will make use of this opportunity to receive this sacrament.

God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

FALL FUND RAISER
 

Our Ninth Annual Clambake/Steak Bake/Autumn Raffle will take place on Saturday, October 26^th, beginning after the 5:30 Mass in our upper hall. Raffle tickets are now available at the back of the Church. All parishioners are asked to pick up their envelope with Raffle tickets, as this will save us the cost of mailing them to everyone.
    DINNER (as well as extra lottery drawing) TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE after weekend Masses at the main entrance to the church, in the cafeteria after the 10:00 Mass, and during the week at the rectory during business hours. Ticket prices: Clambake - $30, Steak-bake - $35, extra dozen clams - $10. In addition to great food, there will be plenty of refreshments, a basket auction, split raffles, sideboards and much more.
      WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS to help with this project: help set up, clean up, bake, and help in other ways. Please sign up in the church’s main entrance to help us out.

     PROGRAM BOOK Again this year, we are printing a program book for our Fall Fund Raiser. Parishioners, Parish Organizations, and businesses are invited to advertise or send their greetings showing support for our Parish. An ad can be placed in the book for as little as $10. Ad forms are in everyone’s ticket envelope. Additional forms are available at the back of the church. Everyone is invited to participate.