Beginning the weekend of February 17 & 18, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick during weekend Masses four times per year.

In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.

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.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. (USCCB)

Fr. Jack regularly visits the homebound members of our parish for a visit and to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing with them two or three times per year, as well as periodic visits to nursing homes and hospitals, and in times of emergency. If you or a loved one cannot attend Mass and would like to celebrate the Sacrament, please contact Louise at the Parish Office at (413) 323-6272 to schedule a time.

The dates for the Masses with the Sacrament of the Sick for 2018 will be:

February 17-18, May 5-6, August 18-19, and November 17-18.