Communion to the Sick and Home Bound
There are two reasons the Church reserves the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle: To offer a special place of prayer and to be able to bring Holy Communion to the sick and homebound who are not able to attend Mass. Sometimes, a person asks for an extra host when they come forward in the communion process. This is not a good practice. First, being new, I do not always know the person asking for a host. I presume many other communion ministers may not know them as well. Second, I may not know the person to whom they are bringing Holy Communion. In addition, at daily Mass, it can throw off the count of hosts set out for the assembly.
The first is important because we want to ensure those bringing communion to the sick are properly trained and formed in this important ministry and receive ongoing support. It is important to know who is representing the parish community and bringing the Eucharist to the sick. It is possible an unknown person could be seeking to get a consecrated host for a reason other than bringing it to the sick. (My Deliberative strength makes me think of these things.) We are obligated to protect the Blessed Sacrament. We also must ensure all those ministering in this area are up to date in our safe environment protocols.
Second, it is helpful for the parish to be up to date on who is receiving Holy Communion at home or at a care facility, so we can offer other forms of pastoral care as well and include them in our prayers.
To accomplish these goals, we will be asking those taking communion to the sick get the Blessed Sacrament after Mass and record their visit in a notebook the parish will provide. The sacristan can assist them.
Would you consider this ministry? As we hopefully emerge from Covid, we may have more requests. It can be a very powerful and rewarding ministry bring the Lord present in the Eucharist to the sick. Do you know of someone who may need Holy Communion brought to them? Please call Laurie at the parish office to find out more about this ministry or to request a home visit.
Moreover, if buy chance you stop by the church for a moment of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, please say a little prayer for parishioners who are sick or homebound