Praying for the Sick
 
It as natural as breathing for Christian people to pray for those who are sick.  When we hold sick people up in prayer, we are asking the Lord to bring them physical and spiritual healing.  We pray that they will have hope in the healing power of God.  Most importantly, we pray that those who are ill will trust in the Lord that no matter the outcome, that He walks with them on their journey of suffering.  It is at the heart of the Paschal Mystery that Christ experienced the same suffering we do.  In knowing that, we take comfort that the Lord knows our pain and understands our experience.  At St. Michael, we pray for the sick at every weekend liturgy.  It is a long-standing tradition for us to pray for the sick, sometimes even after they are well!  We want to continue that tradition.  To do that most effectively, it is time once again to start with a fresh list.  Beginning next weekend, we will start with a new list.  If you or someone you love is to be in the Sick List, please contact the office this week to be include on the new list.  Following this letter, please see the guidelines for adding parishioners, family, and friends to the Sick List. It is a delicate balance to make sure we are sensitive to the needs of the sick and their families. Thank you for understanding and cooperation.

Sick List Procedures

• People will be added to the Sick List only with their permission, or at the request of the immediate family.  This is to protect the privacy of the individual.

• Names will remain on the Sick List for three weeks.  If at the end of three weeks the person is to remain on the Sick List, you must notify the office.

• People may be added to the Sick List that is read at Mass, the bulletin Sick List, or both. The three-week guideline applies to both.