More than 200 people gathered at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Blacktown, on Saturday, 10 February, for a Mass for those in need of healing, to mark World Day of the Sick.
Pope St John Paul II decreed the first World Day of the Sick in 1992, to be held every year on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes – this year on 11 February – as a recognition of Mary’s power of prayer and faith in the act of healing.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, led the Mass at Blacktown, which included the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. It was preceded by a formation discussion session led by Deacon Dr Michael Tan on Pope Francis’ message for this year’s World Day of the Sick.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, anoints a woman during the 2024 Diocesan World Day of the Sick Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Families made up much of the congregation at the Mass, and most who attended came forward for the anointing by Bishop Vincent and the concelebrating priests. Some of those who were not physically able to come forward were ministered to by the priest going to anoint them.
In his homily, Bishop Vincent spoke of Isaiah’s words to the people in exile, in which God was reminding them that “true faith was not about building magnificent temples and elaborate ceremonies; they learned that being God’s people was not about being strong and powerful in the worldly sense. It was all about humble faith and tenacious trust”, Bishop Vincent said.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, delivers the homily during the 2024 Diocesan World Day of the Sick Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
This was exemplified by Mary’s faith and trust in Jesus, and her “solidarity with the afflicted”, he told the congregation.
“Such selfless love is a love that we are all challenged to make our own – even those of us who ourselves are sick and suffering.”
Deacon Michael, who was also a deacon assisting at the Mass, said that Bishop Vincent’s homily reminds us of the role of Mary in showing the way to “faithful and humble discipleship – for those times when we become sick or are dying, as well as for the times when we are caring for the sick and the dying”.
Fr John Frauenfelder administers the Oil of the Sick to a gentleman during the 2024 Diocesan World Day of the Sick Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
He said Pope Francis’ message for this year’s World Day of the Sick – in which the Pope says that “the first form of care needed in any illness is compassionate and loving closeness” – was a profound truth which should be “the primary response in any illness”.
“So what the Pope says calls us to recognise the primacy of the domestic church (the family) in forming attitudes, values and beliefs towards the sick and dying,” he said.
Thomas Cheung, a member of the Diocesan Healthcare Ministries Formation team, gave the example of a person he knew who was dying in hospital, found his faith and was baptised before his death.
“Family and friends prayed for him and visited him every day and every night. He couldn’t speak but his appreciation and faith shone,” he said.
“Carers and volunteers became the hands and feet of the Lord. No matter [whether it was] prayers, kind words, a smile or just to be there – that goes a long way.”
View images from the 2024 Diocesan World Day of the Sick Mass here or below:
