I’ll be up front with you, for many Catholics, the “healing Mass” can be a little “off putting.” Catholics are not Evangelicals in our prayers—for many of us, prayer is a private thing. We are not Baptist in our singing—and while we love good music and sacred songs, the swinging and swaying isn’t easy for us. Yet, as Catholics—we seek the prayers of others in our needs—whether we are sick, preparing for surgery or an MRI, or hoping to get the promotion at work—if someone is willing to ask God to bless us, we are “O.K.” with that. In fact, Pope Francis has made it a bit more popular…and easier…for us to ask others to pray for us. The Pontiff himself is fond of asking people to pray to God to bless him.

When it comes to scary illnesses or real tragedies, the quietest of Catholics will reach out to others for help. I know I did when I was preparing for my kidney transplant, and all your prayers worked! On Friday, November 13, our parish will celebrate a Mass of Healing at the Friday daily Mass. The intention of the Mass will be for God’s abundant blessings upon all who are sick and are facing tough times. We will use a special Mass of healing and then, after the Mass, I will offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. This is not “last rites.” This is one of the seven sacraments of our Church instituted by Christ for our benefit. Christ knows we need this grace and healing, and so offers it to us in the form of a sacrament. I hope you will come or bring a family member or friend to receive God’s grace in their struggle.

Members of our parish’s Health and Healing Ministry, who have been trained by the Archdiocese of Hartford, will be on hand to privately pray for your personal intention as you are anointed. “Where two or more are gathered in My Name, I am with you,” says the Lord. You will not need to tell them your illness or issue, but simply as you come forward for the anointing, they will ask God to abundantly bless you and protect you, bringing you to a complete recovery. I hope you will consider partaking in this Anointing of the Sick and in the heartfelt prayers of others who care about you, simply asking God to be with you. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.