Jesus' healing ministry today - MAY 14, 2006

Next Sunday at the 11:30 a.m. liturgy, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick. Following the mass there will be a luncheon in the church hall. Some of my favorite pastoral moments have been at such healing masses. I can remember as a young priest at Holy Trinity in Central Falls we would gather all our communion call people together on Columbus Day for a special mass. It was so important to communicate to our home bound that they are an important part of our parish family. At St. Luke’s we have a vibrant ministry of pastoral care. Over 20 Eucharistic ministers bring Holy Communion to the infirmed in nursing homes and private residences. We have a bereavement committee that reaches out to people who have lost loved ones. One of the most evident dimensions of Jesus ministries was healing. On almost every page of the New Testament Jesus reaches out to heal a sick person. Come and join us next Sunday as this healing ministry of Jesus continues in our contemporary parish setting. One final note; you do not need to be at death’s door to be anointed. People facing surgery or with a chronic condition can also be anointed.

Fr. Bob Hawkins, MAY 14, 2006