Denver Catholic

9 DENVER CATHOLIC | MAY 27-JUNE 9, 2017 not just for those last moments. When we approach, we want to assure the person of God's love and mercy. I've seen many times, especially with my ministry with Divine Mercy Supportive Care, that this [sacramen- tal moment] is God's providence. This is how he is trying to approach this person to prepare them for eternity. DC: How do you comfort the person? FH: By trying to help them realize they are a child of God and by virtue of their baptism, they now have an opportunity to achieve so much more, so let's use these last days or months to be aware of eternity and how best to spend this time, not in hopeless- ness and despair, but in hope. We focus on what Christ has done for us and, now, what we can do for him. God respects our liberty and free choice. I help them along to make an Act of Contrition; I offer the sacraments, an apostolic bless- ing. I encourage them to give them- selves to Our Lady by praying the rosary, or to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet. These things remind them that God loves them. DC: How do you feel about minis- tering to the dying ? FH: I've always had a devotion to the sick and dying. I remember being in high school and volunteering at the hospital. I've always been interested in that aspect of the priestly ministry. It's such an important part of our vocation as priests. One saint said if we help to facilitate with the salvation of a soul it contributes to our own salvation. Much like the Scripture verse "charity covers a multitude of sins" (I Pet 4:8). DC: Are there particular Scrip- tures that are read to the dying ? FH: Some of the psalms, especially Psalm 51, "The Miserere," (Have Mercy), which is beautiful. Halfway through it is the verse [paraphrased]: "Sacrifices and oblations you do not look for, Lord, but a humble and con- trite heart you will not spurn." It's also read before the funeral, before the procession of the body into the church. I get a little emotional about that because it's so true, we can do great things, but if we're far away from God it means nothing to him. The Church has a rich tradition of providing ministry to those who are sick or dying. The sacraments of Anointing of the Sick, Confession and Holy Commu- nion make up what are called the Last Rites. Congratulations to the St. Mary's Academy Class of 2017! Daria Marie-Rose Boulos Kaile Catrina Brogan Gillian Rose Burnham Lauren Whitney Carroll Rachel Suzanne Cella Angela Sofia Colorado Sarah Elizabeth Cowden Brionni Cherine Dawkins Aracely Franco-Ugarte Julia Margaret Gabriele Sarah Louise Gamel Adrea Jean-Alexis Gentry Gabrielle Lau Ga Wei Giuliano Tate Shaw Given Catherine Nicole Golinvaux Amanda Catherine Hall Molly Elizabeth Hamilton Rachel Marie Henderson Hannah Elizabeth Hess Macey Marie Hills Reese Jillian Hopp Delaney Hazel Huffman Caroline Marie Jeffords Meghan Mary Kane Eleanor Jiwon Kim Margaret Anne Longenecker Gabriela López López Gabriella Sue Lorance Miranda Kathleen Loughry Marla Dair Loya Alexandrea Meagan Maerz Kailey Jane Mahoney Alaina Aman Masood Emma Liane McGhee Desirèe Nicolle Mullins Viridiana Bonilla Ortega Caroline Cella Osborn Jordan Anne Pearson Alexandra Grace Reddington Celine Mackintosh Rojel Jessica Edith Santos Ceili Rose Sauer Ellie Jeanine Seebaum Kaya Grace Shearer Daisy Lee Simpson Ambar Irabelle Solis-Fuentes Hannah Michelle Staker Jeeyu Sung Sarah Jo Sutherland Anne Marie Tobler Ciela Angel Alma Vega Courtney Catherine Wilson Laura Katherine Windler Anahi Dimas Zacarias Watch Father Hearty talk about PAS at denver- catholic. org stock photo

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