"Anointing of the Sick is the the sacrament that is received by those who are ill or suffering.  By the sacred anointing and the prayer of the priest, the whole Church commends those who are sick to Christ.  The sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gifts of strength, faith, peace, and courage, and his or her suffering is united with the suffering of Christ for the building up of the church."

Source:  Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1520-23

 The Sacrament of Anointing is celebrated after the 9:30 a.m. Mass, in church on the first Sunday of every month.

     At times even some "Seasoned Catholics" get stumped by the question "What is the difference between Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites?"  Many of us get confused and believe it is the same thing just a different way of naming it.  Well, there is a difference, but the majority of people wanting “Last Rites” really are looking for an anointing.

     From Apostolic times, those who ministered to the Christian community were urged to lay their hands upon the sick and to anoint them.  The purpose of anointing is to bring healing.  Most often this healing is spiritual, but on occasion, if God so desires, it may also be physical.  Healing should not be confused with curing.

     In the past, Anointing of the Sick was most often reserved to those in imminent danger of death.  This is no longer the case.  In fact, the preference is to celebrate this sacrament as often as the sick person feels would be helpful.  While it is administered to those with a life-threatening disease or condition, it should not be put off to a time when the individual cannot actively participate in the rite—in fact, it can be administered at first diagnosis and as often thereafter as appropriate; perhaps at significant points in the progression of the disease.

     Please do not wait until the last moment to celebrate this sacrament in the company of friends and family.  Its effect on the patient and others will be more peaceful and comforting when it is not celebrated in an atmosphere of crisis.  If at all possible, please do not put off Anointing of the Sick to the last moment; call us well in advance to permit a proper celebration or join us on the First Sunday of each month in church, after the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

     There is some confusion, often engendered by the media, over what is sometimes called “The Last Rites.”  Contrary to widespread misunderstanding, this term is not “simply” the same as Anointing of the Sick.  The proper celebration for those about to die is Viaticum, the last time that person receives the Body and Blood of Christ.  This is a special Eucharistic service celebrated near the time of death.  Viaticum may be administered by a priest, deacon or a trained layperson.  If administered by a priest, an opportunity for Reconciliation (or confession) may be provided as part of the rite if the patient desires.

     There is a provision for Viaticum to be administered together with Anointing of the Sick if the patient has not recently been anointed.  When these two rites are celebrated together, they are often called “Last Rites,” although this is not the proper term for it.

     "Extreme Unction is another term, very common in past centuries but rarely used today, for one of the seven sacraments, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, which is administered both to the dying and to those who are gravely ill or are about to undergo a serious operation, for the recovery of their health and for spiritual strength. Unction means an anointing with oil (which is part of the sacrament), and extreme refers to the fact that the sacrament (at least until recent years) was usually administered in extremity—in other words, when the person to whom it was being administered was in grave danger of dying."