Pastor’s Letter: May 10, 2026

Pastor’s Letter: May 10, 2026

8 May 2026 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,

Blessings to you all and Happy Mother’s Day to all of our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and other special women who help us know the love of God! In his The Training of Children, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen wrote, “The mother to the child is the incarnation of gentleness, meekness, forgiveness, understanding…The mother reveals that other attribute of Divinity—which is mercy, love, and forgiveness.” Of course, as we grow, Sheen notes that we experience the imperfections of one another. Still, he says, parents can be that image of justice and mercy for their children that help teach the child to seek out God. Mother’s Day is always a great day to be thankful for our mother’s “yes” to the gift of our life.  Know of my thanks and prayers for all of our mothers!

As we continue our reflections on Anointing of the Sick, this week we focus on the fruits and effects of the Sacrament. As our Catechism teaches, the Sacrament brings us “a particular gift of the Holy Spirit” that is “one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age” (CCC, 1520). This gift helps grow trust in God and protects against temptations in the midst of suffering. Continuing, “This assistance from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God’s will. Furthermore, ‘if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven’.” This passage highlights for us that the grace is primarily focused on interior healing. However, there are times when a physical healing is also granted. We entrust this to God’s wisdom and understand that the gift of a physical healing is for a purpose. We especially strive to trust God’s wisdom when the physical healing isn’t received.

The next fruit of this Sacrament of Healing is “union with the passion of Christ.” As St. John Paul II and others taught, suffering is a unique opportunity to be joined in union with the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. United with our Savior, our suffering can take on meaning and greater fruitfulness. (CCC, 1521). One thing that is hard to remember in the midst of suffering is that, united with Christ, it can become a powerful source of grace and blessing. It is hard when we are suffering to think outwardly in that way, but our suffering can provide the means to unite with Jesus that we don’t find anywhere else in our lives. Many saints have shared how they have drawn closer to Jesus through their trials.

Along these lines, in this Sacrament we receive “an ecclesial grace…by celebrating this sacrament the Church, in the communion of saints, intercedes for the benefit of the sick person, and he, for his part…contributes to the sanctification of the Church and to the good of all men…” (CCC, 1522). So not only is there fruit from uniting with Jesus, we also experience a deeper unity with the Body of Christ, the Church. This unity is fruitful in both directions—our faithful suffering can strengthen the Body of Christ and we can receive true help from our community of faith—both in prayer and in service. In our parish, we pray for the sick regularly, both at Masses and through our parish prayer chain.

A final and very significant fruit for those who are near death, Anointing provides “a preparation for the final journey…The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it. It completes the holy anointings that mark the whole Christian life: that of Baptism which sealed the new life in us, and that of Confirmation which strengthened us for the combat of this life. This last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life like a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Father’s house” (CCC, 1523).

For those at the last moments of life (and are able to receive), the Church offers the Eucharist as viaticum—a word that means “food for the journey.” This gift of Communion recalls the promises of Jesus that “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day” (John 6:54). As a special gift to those who are dying, priests also have the ability to pray what is called the Apostolic Pardon. This powerful prayer which grants an indulgence, has been updated in the latest Order of the Anointing of the Sick and of Their Pastoral Care. There are two options for what the priest can say: “By the authority given to me by the Apostolic See, I grant you a plenary indulgence and remission of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.” Or “Through the sacred mysteries of human redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishments of the present life and of the life to come; may he open to you the gates of paradise, and lead you to everlasting joys. Amen.” These prayers remind us once again of the wonderful saving action of the Cross of Jesus—and that He always wishes to give us what we need, whether it is strength and healing through life or preparation and readiness for eternal life.

As we are now just a couple of weeks away from Deacon Blake’s ordination to the priesthood, next week we shift to look at Holy Orders. Know of my prayers and blessing for you all this week!

In Christ,
Father Luke