‘Is any among you sick? Let them call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over the person, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick,
and the Lord will raise them up; and if they has committed sins, these will be forgiven.’
James 5:14

This Sacrament is part of the larger pastoral care that the Church offers to those who are sick, housebound and/or unable to be part of the worshipping community at church.

This ministry to those who are unwell or housebound is an extension of Jesus’ actions when on earth he himself visited the sick and dying, bringing healing, peace and life.

We do this with weekly visits with Holy Communion. Sacrament of the Sick is also available to those who request it.

We find that many of the people we visit are an inspiration to us. They are the “power house of prayer”. They are the “oil that keeps the wheel turning” through their pain, suffering and lonely hours.

While a number of parishioners undertake ministry to the Sick, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is undertaken by the Parish Priest.

The Sacrament is available individually as required by those who experience infirmity in their lives. This can be experienced in the privacy of the home, or a hospital.

A communal celebration of the Sacrament is made monthly throughout the year. Please contact the Parish Priest to see when the next service is scheduled.

Since the earliest days of the Church this sacrament has been celebrated. Until recently, the emphasis was on preparation for death, and it was referred to as “Extreme Unction” (the Last Anointing or The Last Rites). However, the Second Vatican Council restored an emphasis on prayer for the physical and spiritual healing for all seriously ill persons. The sacrament should not be deferred until the person is dangerously ill and on the point of death.

For more information on the pastoral care of the dying see the relevant section on Death and Dying

Each hospital in the Wellington Region has a chaplain who is available for an anointing of the sick.