The annual Healing Mass of Hope, Thanksgiving and Remembrance for cancer patients, survivors and families who have lost a loved one to the disease will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light in Cherry Hill.
Father Robert Hughes, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Camden, will be the celebrant.
“This Mass is hope for those currently journeying through cancer treatments, thanksgiving for those who have been through cancer and are in recovery or remission, and remembrance for those who have lost someone to cancer,” said Nicole Keefer, director of parish nursing for VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services Diocese of Camden, which is sponsoring the Mass.
Deacon Jerry Jablonowski, VITALity’s executive director, said it’s important to recognize individuals and families who have journeyed through cancer, as well as the work that many parishes do to support people suffering from the disease. In addition, the Anointing of the Sick will be administered to those in need of its healing grace.
“We include the Sacrament of the Sick within the Mass for those in the midst of their battle with cancer to give them the strength to endure their treatment and feel the healing presence of Jesus in their lives,” he said.
Added Keefer, “I think whenever someone is going through a difficult health situation, an anointing is a validation of admitting that you’re here [at this point in your life], you’re humbling yourself to God, and you’re saying, ‘I need your help. God, please help me on this journey.’”
She continued, “For people who have already journeyed through cancer, the sacrament can be a sense of closure and speak to the fact that you are on the other side and let this healing grace stay with you to keep you in remission.”
For those who are grieving someone who has died from the disease, the Mass is an opportunity of witness. “I’ve heard it said that grief needs to be witnessed, it needs to be heard; it needs to be seen,” Keefer said.
Following the Mass will be dessert and coffee and an opportunity to visit with others, including VITALity’s staff. R.S.V.P. by Nov. 27 to : VITALity-Events@camdendiocese.org.
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“No family is untouched by cancer,” Keefer said. “What the human body goes through to get into remission is taxing and has life-altering effects. So I think this Mass helps to show that we recognize that cancer is in our midst and that we are trying to help heal our diocesan community.”
The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light is located at 402 Kings Highway North.
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