By Paula Day

The afternoon sun, filtered through stained glass windows, bathed the chapel in muted light.

Archbishop James Lyke, OFM, his brown Franciscan habit large on his frame, sat leaning slightly forward, his eyes closed.

One by one his brother priests, over 60 in number, laid their hands on his bowed head and prayed for healing. The words of Jesus, "Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there in your midst," came to mind. Father Henry Gracz, vicar for clergy, later called the day a "great gift."

The priests gathered July 8 in the chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home in Atlanta in response to a proposal by Father Pat Bishop, chairman of the Priests' Council. They came to celebrate the sacrament of the anointing of the sick with the archbishop and any other priest who wished to be anointed.

Father Edward Dillon, vicar general, led the penitential rite and Father Frank Forts proclaimed the Gospel. Father Richard Brennan was cantor.

Father Ken Bayer, MSFS, Father Walter Donovan, Father Michael Hogan, Father Cayet Mangiaracina, OP, Father Jorge Christancho and Father Patrick Mendola, OFM, received the sacrament also.

Father Gracz anointed first the forehead and then the palms of the archbishop with oil. Then he traced the sign of the cross on the foreheads and palms of the other priests also using the oil of the sick consecrated by Archbishop Lyke at the Holy Week Chrism Mass. Then each priest laid his hands in prayer on the archbishop and the six priests.

After the anointing, the gathered priests prayed the Lord's Prayer and the archbishop gave the final blessing.

Father Ken Bayer, who is suffering from chronic myelocytic leukemia, told the priests that efforts are underway to identify a bone marrow match with a member of his family before he begins Interferon treatment. He thanked them for their support and prayers.

The hope had been that Monsignor John McDonough and Father Hugh Byron would also be able to receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, but both were unable to attend. Both have cancer, as does Archbishop Lyke.

In Closing, the archbishop said he was reminded of the words of the Easter Proclamation, "Oh happy fault ... which gained for us so great a redeemer."

"It's almost like my illness is a 'happy fault' causing the people, Religious and presbyterate to pray for me." He said he is taking it one day at a time, "putting everything in God's hands, confident that everything will turn out all right."

Father James Lonergan, chaplain at Fort McPherson, said afterwards that in his 26 years as a priest it was the first time he had taken part in such a gathering of priests to pray for the healing of brother priests. "That's the way the sacrament should be celebrated," he added, "in community."

Monsignor McDonough returned home to Holy Spirit rectory from St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta just a few days before the healing service. He was hospitalized while undergoing radiation treatment for the cancer that has spread to his brain from other areas of his body.

According to Mrs. Murphy Faust, his secretary for almost 30 years, he is comfortable and appears to be "a little stronger." He is cared for by a registered nurse from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. and two nurses' aides the rest of the time.

Mrs. Faust said cards are "very welcome." Monsignor McDonough reads each one he receives.

A huge going-away supper and reception was celebrated for Father Byron at St. John Neumann parish, Lilburn, on Sunday, July 5. Father Byron returned to his home in England July 12 to be near his immediate family while continuing to undergo chemotherapy.

Former parochial vicar at St. Thomas More, Decatur, and St. John Neumann, Father Byron has been undergoing cancer treatment during the past six months for myeloma. He said that his doctors advised him that he could travel to England and receive treatment there, while living near his family. He said he hopes to return to Atlanta in 1993.