By Maureen Kight, Representing The Holy Spirit Prayer Group and prayer room ministry
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14
God’s perfect timing and the importance of listening to the lead of the Holy Spirit was evident in the time of the first healing mass and anointing of the Sick with Fr. Kilian on February 29, 2020. Over 100 people received this sacrament for healing and many came for individual prayers after mass with our prayer teams. Who would have known that within 15 days that Covid would be a pandemic, and public meetings would be shut down. Our churches were closed before Holy Week, through Easter, Pentecost, and many months thereafter. We were able to watch mass on TV. Oh, how we longed to be together and receive Christ in Eucharist. It was months before we could come back together with limitations.
We finally had another healing mass a year and a half later on September, 2022. Fr. Kilian offered a mission with a healing mass on a Monday, March 13, 2023. After Fr. Kilian announced that he would be moving to another parish he wanted to offer one more healing mass and that was celebrated on June 10, 2023. We have been blessed by Fr. Kilian’s care for his sheep. He is continuing this ministry at his new parish.
Moving forward our churches are opened and we hunger for God’s touch in our lives. Our church is open every day for mass, adoration, and prayer. Now we will move forward with Fr. David Kulandaisamy who wants to continue the healing masses at least three times a year. Our next healing Mass will take place September 23, 2023 at the 8:00 am mass.
The healing mass includes the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The mass opens with a time of penance for forgiveness of sins. The anointing is offered within the mass and before receiving Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The oil used in the blessing of each person has been blessed by the bishop. The priest will anoint your forehead and your hands accompanied by a liturgical prayer asking for a special grace of this sacrament.
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration, whether it takes place in the family home, a hospital, or a church, for a single person or a whole group. This sacrament is intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness. The first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening peace and courage, to overcome difficulties that go with the condition of serious or chronic illness or the frailty of old age.
Following mass healing prayer is offered to any who would like individual prayer. There are teams of two who will pray with you for your physical, spiritual, and emotional needs for yourself, family, or friends. These teams will be stationed around the church.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
