BIDDEFORD — About 100 elderly men and women were anointed at St. Andre Health Care Facility in Biddeford on Sunday, as Bishop Robert Deeley performed the Sacrament of the Sick. 

Residents of the facility and several members of the public received the sacrament in an overflowing community room at the center, just for the chance to see the bishop.

The event took place as part of World Day of Prayer for the Sick, which was held on Saturday. The Catholic Church has celebrated the day since 1992 to remind those of the faith to pray intensely for the sick, reflect on and respond to human suffering and to recognize and honor all people working to take care of those who are sick.

The anointing of the sick is administered to individuals suffering from deteriorating physical, emotional, or mental illness, said Dave Guthro, communications director for the Portland Diocese.

Guthro said the blessing is also given to those who experience a sudden medical crisis, who are scheduled for surgery — including routine procedures — and given to those who are elderly, and weakened by advanced age.

In addition, it is given to those suffering from chronic or long-term illnesses, including those struggling or recovering from alcoholism or other addictions and those being treated with chemotherapy, radiation or physical therapies.

Deeley offered several words of encouragement for those at the 96-bed facility, which is the only Catholic facility in York County, said Executive Director Steve Alaimo.

“We come together to pray for the World Day of the Sick, to remind us of God’s presence with us and of his care for us,” Deeley said. “God cares for each of us, God loves each of us no matter what happens in our lives, no matter who we are.”

The Sacrament of the Sick can be celebrated several times in the course of an illness or disease, Guthro said. The purpose, said Deeley, is to remind those who are at the end of their lives that their purpose while living has not been wasted.

“What happens for (the sick), there’s a sense that they’re not alone, that God is with them,” Deeley said. “It’s an assurance of God’s presence to those who suffer or are in pain.”

Alaimo said he was proud to host not only the bishop, but several members of the community.

We do get a lot of residents from all over that live with us,” Alaimo said. “It was excellent (to host Deeley) in terms of — I was looking around, and — it wasn’t only Catholics; it was people of all faiths here, and to have the bishop be able to bless everyone was great.”

Deeley reminded those at the facility that they are loved, by both God and their community.

“God cares for each of us, God loves each of us no matter what happens in our lives, no matter who we are,” he said. “Even though we’re no longer able-bodied, does that make us useless? No. Each one of us has our own worth, just because we are children of God.”

Sunday, he said, was a day to praise those at the end of life for their caring and lifetime of devotion to their religion.

“Today, we remind ourselves of the worth of each person … every person, even those at the end of life, have a dignity and mission in life,” he said. “Nobody becomes useless. We each have our own worth.”

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.