Anointing Mass held in Remsen

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Posted November 14, 2002

REMSEN - The elderly from Happy Siesta Nursing Home and those from St. Mary's Parish joined students from St. Mary's High School and Grade School for an anointing Mass at 10 a.m. on Nov. 7 in the high school's gym.

"We invite anyone from the parish or surrounding parishes," said Mary Arens, campus minister at St. Mary's High School.

The Mass celebration has been held for several years as a way to bring the ages together to heal the sick and bring youth to the elderly.

"It's a Mass for spiritual healing, emotional healing, physical healing," said Arens. "We think it is important to have our students be present in the midst of the elderly and pray with them and show them that we care for them."

Students from the sophomore class helped wheel the residents from Happy Siesta to the gym at St. Mary's.

"We are backdoor neighbors to St. Mary's," said Leone Sand, employee at Happy Siesta. "We go just out our backdoor and down half a block and across the alley, and we are in St. Mary's gym."

Fifteen residents from Happy Siesta were in attendance with about 100 total who were anointed by four priests, Father Richard Remmes from Marcus, Father John McGuirk from Sheldon, Father Tim Johnson from Remsen and Father Jim Tigges from LeMars (St. James Church).

"They think it is great," said Sand. "They love the special attention. They love being anointed. They like just getting out. It was a beautiful day."

Following the anointing liturgy, entertainment was provided for everyone. The high school band and choir and the junior high choir performed.

"After that, we hosted a luncheon for them," said Arens. "The ladies of the parish come and help prepare the meal so it's really a group effort."

The day is special to the elderly as well as the students. It gives the students a chance to put their hand on the shoulder of the suffering, commented Arens. The students help the elderly in a way that only God knows.

"The students love it," said Arens. "It is special to them and all the people enjoy it."