“Both the sacrament of Reconciliation and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick celebrate and carry out the healing ministry of Jesus,” states Celebrating Sacraments from Saint Mary’s Press. “The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, however, offers persons strength, peace, and courage to overcome the hardships of serious illness or the increasing frailty of old age.”

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states that the “Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient. The Sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after the anointing but becomes ill once again, or if, during the same illness, the person’s condition becomes more serious.”

Appointments for the sacrament may be made by contacting the rectory at 201-384-0557. In light of recent changes concerning the Patient Privacy Act, it is becoming difficult to visit those hospitalized. If you or someone you know would like a visit from the clergy during a stay in the hospital, please contact the rectory and leave the name, hospital, room number and approximate length of stay.

As a parish, we would like to stay connected to our homebound. Please let us know of anyone who would like to receive Holy Communion or of any lonely person who would appreciate a visit.

“The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.

“At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'”

—  The Catechism of the Catholic Church 

St. Mary’s Mass schedule affords the opportunity to participate in the Eucharist at your convenience. The Eucharist is celebrated every day of the week.

Photo courtesy of Clip Art

“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.”

—  The Catechism of the Catholic Church 

Priests are available for confession on Saturdays between 4 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. in the Upper Church. Private confessions are available at any time. Please contact the rectory at 201-384-0557.