St Paul’s Catholic Church

Mount Lawley

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Celebrating the Sacraments of Healing at St Paul’s

The Lord Jesus Christ, Physician of our souls and our bodies, forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that His Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, His Work of healing and salvation, even among her own members.  This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing:  the sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1421)

RECONCILIATION

Confessions are heard in the parish church on:
Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:15pm
Saturdays from 4:30 to 5:15pm
and First Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 9:45am.

Communal penance services are celebrated seasonally, with several priests available to hear individual confessions after a short service of scripture, prayer and preaching.

Individuals may make an appointment with the priest to celebrate the sacrament; this may especially be appropriate when the person wishes to discuss a situation in some detail and receive appropriate advice, as well as absolution.

RECONCILIATION

Parish children celebrate the sacrament for the first time in year 3, and receive their instruction either in a Catholic school or by attending the classes for state school children that are held on Wednesdays during school terms, from 4pm to 5pm at St Paul’s Primary School in Mt Lawley.  For information, please contact the parish office.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Parishioners who are seriously ill, preparing for surgery, or debilitated by old age are encouraged to contact the parish priest to receive this sacrament, either at home or in hospital.

Communal anointing services are celebrated at appropriate times during the year, either in the parish church or in the Menora Gardens Retirement Village Chapel.

LAST RITES

Parishioners who are gravely ill and approaching death should be fortified by the Last Rites of the Church, which include:

  • Confession (if the person is conscious and able to confess; otherwise the priest will give absolution without individual confession)
  • Anointing
  • Papal blessing (the special blessing and indulgence given by the Holy Father’s authority at the time of death)
  • Viaticum (‘food for the journey – the person’s last Holy Communion).

It is good for family members and friends to be with the sick person during the time before death, to support him/her with prayer.  It is highly recommended to read Scripture and pray prayers that are familiar to the person (e.g. the Rpsary) so that he/she can join in, at least silently.