The sick must thank God, their caregivers

The parish of Our Lady of Lourdes marked its feastday with a Eucharistic celebration on the evening of Feb 11, participated by parishioners and Catholics from all over Ipoh.

Feb 27, 2015

IPOH (Herald Malaysia): The parish of Our Lady of Lourdes marked its feastday with a Eucharistic celebration on the evening of Feb 11, participated by parishioners and Catholics from all over Ipoh.

The Mass was celebrated by his Lordship, Bishop Sebastian Francis, Our Lady of Lourdes parish priest, Frs Robert Daniel, Anthony Pillai, Michael Dass, Francis Xavier Selvarajoo, deacon Simon Anand, and Fr Vijay J of the Paraclete Ministry from Hyderabad, India.

The bilingual Mass in Tamil and English, also included anointing of the sick.

In his homily, Bishop Sebastian said that the sick can be a source of strength for their caregivers by praying for them.

“Each day, the sick face difficulties with their illnesses and this is a test of their Christian faith.

They should thank God and pray also for their caregivers.

This is the way that is most glorifying to Jesus, as they continue steadfastly to pray every day in their own way, despite their sufferings.

The friends of the sick, in loving the sick and sharing the faith with them, show them how Jesus is at work in their lives, he said.

We all need healing because we want to die in a state of grace. We pray for total and complete healing, no matter what our limitations are.

St Paul said he prayed that the Lord Jesus keeps us whole in soul, body and Spirit, to prepare us for the final judgment and the second coming of Christ.

There are many other stories in the Bible that speak of healing, for example, the woman with haemorrhage who touched Jesus’ cloak and was cured.

Then there were the four friends who lowered their sick friend from the roof to Jesus seated below,” he said.

Bishop Sebastian thanked caregivers and friends of the sick who had given their time and effort in caring for the sick. In doing their work, the Lord had produced something that was most inspiring to others.

“Today, we celebrate the two Sacraments — the Holy Eucharist, and the Sacrament of anointing of the sick.

“We must surrender our lives, spirit and soul to God. Your mission is not yet over.

“We pray for this great healing, for that is the commandmentof Jesus,” he said.

During offertory, the sick in wheelchairs, carried up the gifts.

After Communion, OLOL parish priest, Fr Robert Daniel thanked the bishop and priests for celebrating the feastday Mass, adding that the parish would have its usual feastday processionthe Saturday of that week and invited everyone for refreshments in the parishhall.

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