“Suffering is real. Jesus Christ gave us seven sacraments, one being anointing of the sick. We pray that the Lord will restore them to good health and offer to God the worship He is due. This evening, we thank God for their faithful witness.” – Bishop Earl Fernandes
Bishop Earl Fernandes celebrated a Mass for the Columbus Catholic Renewal (CCR) on Sept. 13 at Sunbury St. John Neumann Church and offered the sacrament of anointing of the sick to those in need.
Nearly 400 people attended, with about 100 receiving the sacrament. The sacrament is for those who have a serious or terminal illness, are facing surgery or are frail or weary from the burden of years.
Those who were to receive the anointing were seated in a special area. After his homily, the bishop moved among them, laying hands on all. Then the bishop and the concelebrating priests, Father Pat Toner, Father David Arroyo, CR, and Father Jins Devasia, anointed each with chrism oil.
In his closing remarks, Pat Shroyer from the CCR said, “One of my favorite quotes from Pope Francis is when he told bishops to get out of their offices, that a ‘shepherd needs to smell like his sheep.’ Tonight, you witnessed the shepherd of our diocese moving among and tending to his sheep.”
After Mass, prayer teams were available for individual prayer.
CCR was established in Columbus in 1979 by Bishop Edward J. Herrmann. It offers events and programs to make known the action and experience of the Holy Spirit. For more information, go to ccrcolumbus.org, or call Shroyer at (614) 886-8266.