[CCC], nos. 1520-23).

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. A person should be anointed before surgery when a dangerous illness is the reason for the intervention (cf. Rite of Anointing, Introduction, nos. 8-10). Moreover, “old people may be anointed if they are in weak condition even though no dangerous illness is present. [The faithful] should be encouraged to ask for the anointing, and, as soon as the time for the anointing comes, to receive it with faith and devotion, not misusing the sacrament by putting it off” (Rite of Anointing, nos. 11, 12, 13).

Always contact the office if it is foreseen that someone will be having surgery or hospitalization so that the Sacrament of the Sick may be given in advance. Please contact Berenice Zayas or Kris Larkey at 816-331-4713 if you or a loved one would like to receive this sacrament.