Multiple rows of wheelchairs lengthened the chapel pews at Holy Family Senior Living (HFSL) on February 19th for Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Schlert. Bishop, accompanied by Father Keith Mathur, Chancellor of the Diocese of Allentown, and Holy Family’s Chaplain, Father Paul Rothermel, administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to more than 20 residents during the Mass.
HFSL holds an Anointing of the Sick Mass every year around the time of February 11th, the World Day of the Sick, which Pope St. John Paul II instituted in 1992.
Bishop remarked on what a blessing it is for HFSL to have a chapel and Mass available, saying: “There aren’t many senior living facilities that can say one of the residents is Jesus! Here, we can.”
He began the Mass by thanking the staff, volunteers, and board of directors for their service, acknowledging that “it is through your ministry that our Diocese shows the compassion of Christ.”
Paul Bonnici, a resident of HFSL who also received Anointing, served as Lector for the Mass. Residents who were not able to come in person for the liturgy watched the Mass from their beds, thanks to a video livestream.
During his homily, Bishop noted how most of Jesus’ miracles had to do with the sick and suffering. “And now,” he said, “a primary role of the Church is to continue to bring Christ’s consolation and healing to His people.”
Bishop also explained that healing can take many forms, from the easing of pain to the spiritual strength to bear one’s condition. Most of all, Anointing “draws us [the Church] together in hope.”
After the homily, Bishop and the concelebrants administered the Sacrament. They walked around the Chapel, laying their hands on the head of each person to be anointed, praying for them individually. Then, Bishop and the priests went around the room with the Oil of the Sick, anointing the head and hands of each recipient with the prayer: “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.”
As staff helped residents depart after the Mass, it was clear that Christ’s compassionate hope had touched all attendees, not just the residents.
“That was a really moving experience,” commented John Lynch, Treasurer of the HFSL board of directors.
Director of Human Resources, Annette Etchberger, added: “It’s Masses like these that highlight our spiritual background at Holy Family and set us apart.”
Just minutes after ministering the Sacramental sign of Christ’s compassion, Bishop continued to model God’s concern for the sick during his walk to the post-Mass lunch. As he passed through the lobby, Bishop paused his conversation to help a resident fix her jammed walker.
“If they don’t give you a new one,” he joked, “then call me!”
The Anointing Mass at HFSL--and the loving camaraderie afterwards--exemplified the truth that Bishop taught in his homily: “We are all beneficiaries of the healing power of Christ when we can come together and pray.”
