February 11, 2017

Annual Anointing Mass offers hope and healing

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Julie Beaulieu

FEEDING HILLS – On a cold February morning, dozens turned out for the Hampden West Deanery’s annual Anointing of the Sick Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Feeding Hills, Saturday, Feb. 11. Father Steven Amo, pastor, was the main celebrant, with concelebrants Father Thomas Shea (retired) and Father Henry Dorsch, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Southwick.

“If I didn’t go to the hospital that night, I would’ve died in my sleep,” said Betty Briggs, cancer survivor. Briggs and her husband, Robert, belong to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Springfield. She said her illness is the reason she and her husband attend the Mass each year.

“I consider my remission a miracle,” she continued. “We both prayed and believe that our prayers helped.”

Briggs went for treatment at Mercy Medical Center.

“We wanted to come and be anointed and pray for our health,” said her husband. “Also, Betty is preparing for knee surgery this spring,” he added.

World Day of the Sick, an observation started by Pope John Paul II, is a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses. The day coincides with the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes and is always held on Feb. 11. On this day, people around the world take the time to pray for the sick and their caregivers.

“Our deanery has hosted this event since 2003. Sacred Heart has been chosen to host it the past several years due to the building’s accessibility. Even people from beyond the deanery come, but today, people who are elderly and/or frail shouldn’t be out in weather like this,” said Father Amo of the cold temperatures and snow-covered ground.

“The heart of our Lord’s ministry is fundamentally about healing and that’s God’s way of showing that he want’s something better for us — for us to be made whole,” added Father Amo.

Due to the inclement weather, only about 30 people attended the Mass this year.