While Christ's suffering and death on the cross are indeed terrible to think about, the resurrection would not have been possible without them. God brought an overwhelming good out of this darkness.

Following Christ's example, Catholics believe that by offering their suffering and uniting it to Christ's, their suffering takes on a special form of prayer for the Church and the People of God. (CCC 1499)

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick provides a special grace that commends the sick and suffering to the suffering and glorified Lord. This grace gives the person the strength to bear his or her suffering and helps him or her unite that suffering with Christ for the good of the Church.

In practice, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick includes readings, prayers, a blessing, and anointing with sacred oil by a priest or bishop.

"The special grace of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:

• the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and the good of the whole Church;
• the strength, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
• the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance;
• the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
• the preparation for passing over to eternal life"

Last Rites is often confused with Anointing of the Sick. While the two are not the same, Last Rites does include the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Last Rites refers to the Catholic ritual that occurs as a man or woman nears the end of his or her life. Last Rites includes the Sacraments of Confession, Eucharist, and Anointing of the Sick, and some special prayers and blessings.

If your loved one is ill or you wish to receive Last Rites, please contact Stacey Knepper in the St. Elizabeth/St. Dominic Parish Office to set up a time for Fr. Wheeler to come administer the Last Rites. In Case of emergency and the parish secretary cannot be reached, contact Fr. Wheeler directly.