Communion for the handicap

[Spirithound]

You’re right. However, I have yet to see where there are attempts to make the confessionals remodeled for the handicapped. Seems as if this sacrament should be just as important as the Eucharist in our spiritual lives. When I walk into a church for the first time, the confessional is usually the first thing I look for. Besides the tabernacle, of course.

In two parishes I have been to (and confessed in), including my current parish, have wheelchair accessible confessionals. They are rooms, with a divider and grating for those who wish to confess anonymously, and option for face to face confession.

For Holy Communion, I think the best procedure is for the individual to speak to an usher before Mass, and a minister of Holy Communion (extraordinary or ordinary), would come to them.

 

[bpbasilphx]

\Interesting. Do you have any reliable stats to back this? There never was a “need” for the priest to leave the sanctuary because it was not allowed. That isn’t to say that people with disabilities weren’t present. How do people with disabilities arrive at Mass to begin with? What method did they use to arrive at their pew in the first place.\

**How did the handicapped people get to their pews in the first palce? Simple. They didn’t, because they stayed at home. Why did they stay at home? Because they couldn’t get into the church building, usually.

I don’t know how old you are, but there was a time when public buildings, especially churches, were built with big, long stairways going up to the only entrance. The Roman Catholic cathedral in my home town is one example, but not the only one I could give. The Baptist Church where I was raised was similar. So were the other churces in the neighborhood. And there were NO elevators.

The schools I attended were similar–big outside stairs, stair cases, and no ramps, lifts, or anything else. Certainly no ground-level entrances. Even the college I first attended (founded in the '60’s) had no elevators in the multi-story buildings. As I think about it, NO college I attended had ANY accomodation for the handicapped, or even elevators.

Churches and other buildings were designed this way because the handicapped, especially those in wheel chairs, were not expected, or even encouraged, to go out in public, as another poster has said. It never occurred to people that this was unjust.

Only in the 70’s, as I recall, did barrier-free architecture–first mandated by civil law–become the norm in desiging churches and other public buildigns.**

 

[SMHW]

I think that would mostly be determined by the lay-out of your church .

Exactly. A long narrow church might want to handle things differently from a cross-shaped church. A fan-shaped or round church would handle things differently still. And there will be considerable variation within any of the designs I’ve mentioned.

I know that our church has removed some single seats at the ends of rows in order to accommodate wheel chairs or other special seating. It 's understood that the next seat over is for any companion of the disabled person. The ushers make sure that the person is either brought forward for communion or that an EMHC comes to the person.

 

[Granatelli]

\Interesting. Do you have any reliable stats to back this? There never was a “need” for the priest to leave the sanctuary because it was not allowed. That isn’t to say that people with disabilities weren’t present. How do people with disabilities arrive at Mass to begin with? What method did they use to arrive at their pew in the first place.\

**How did the handicapped people get to their pews in the first palce? Simple. They didn’t, because they stayed at home. Why did they stay at home? Because they couldn’t get into the church building, usually.

I don’t know how old you are, but there was a time when public buildings, especially churches, were built with big, long stairways going up to the only entrance. The Roman Catholic cathedral in my home town is one example, but not the only one I could give. The Baptist Church where I was raised was similar. So were the other churces in the neighborhood. And there were NO elevators.

The schools I attended were similar–big outside stairs, stair cases, and no ramps, lifts, or anything else. Certainly no ground-level entrances. Even the college I first attended (founded in the '60’s) had no elevators in the multi-story buildings. As I think about it, NO college I attended had ANY accomodation for the handicapped, or even elevators.

Churches and other buildings were designed this way because the handicapped, especially those in wheel chairs, were not expected, or even encouraged, to go out in public, as another poster has said. It never occurred to people that this was unjust.

Only in the 70’s, as I recall, did barrier-free architecture–first mandated by civil law–become the norm in desiging churches and other public buildigns.**

That is another great post.

 

[Joannm]

We do not have ushers in our parish, although we have tried for years to get an usher society organized with no luck. We also have a very oddly designed Church (our original church was added onto in the early 50’s in a very poor design). The aisles are not big but we do have 4 areas reserved for those with disabilities. The EMHCs know to go to those rows first. If someone who is disabled sits in a different area there is no way to know to bring them communion unless a family member comes up toward the end of communion to tell the priest or minister to go to the person.

 

[amgp]

\Interesting. Do you have any reliable stats to back this? There never was a “need” for the priest to leave the sanctuary because it was not allowed. That isn’t to say that people with disabilities weren’t present. How do people with disabilities arrive at Mass to begin with? What method did they use to arrive at their pew in the first place.\

**How did the handicapped people get to their pews in the first palce? Simple. They didn’t, because they stayed at home. Why did they stay at home? Because they couldn’t get into the church building, usually.

I don’t know how old you are, but there was a time when public buildings, especially churches, were built with big, long stairways going up to the only entrance. The Roman Catholic cathedral in my home town is one example, but not the only one I could give. The Baptist Church where I was raised was similar. So were the other churces in the neighborhood. And there were NO elevators.

The schools I attended were similar–big outside stairs, stair cases, and no ramps, lifts, or anything else. Certainly no ground-level entrances. Even the college I first attended (founded in the '60’s) had no elevators in the multi-story buildings. As I think about it, NO college I attended had ANY accomodation for the handicapped, or even elevators.

Churches and other buildings were designed this way because the handicapped, especially those in wheel chairs, were not expected, or even encouraged, to go out in public, as another poster has said. It never occurred to people that this was unjust.

Only in the 70’s, as I recall, did barrier-free architecture–first mandated by civil law–become the norm in desiging churches and other public buildigns.**

So, prior to the 1970’s, handicapped people didn’t attend Mass?..right…

Besides, nobody here is talking about whether or not people with disabilities have access to churches. They obviously do because they’re inside of the building attending Mass. The poster is asking about the proper method to distribute Holy Communion to them without turning the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass into a circus. There have been several good suggestions in some of these posts.

My point is that all of the people attending Mass got into the building somehow, and had to use some method of transport to arrive at their pew. They also find some way of leaving the building to get to their cars to go home. If they can get to Mass, and they can get home from Mass, why is it such a dilemma to figure out how to transport them to the Communion rail?

At a televised Mass on EWTN, I saw Pope Benedict XVI give a woman Holy Communion who was carried to him on a stretcher. Neither he nor anybody else ran out into the nave to bring it to her. In my own parish, there are several people in wheel chairs who are pushed up to the Communion rail, as well as people using crutches, canes, etc. who present themselves at the rail. Even though it’s offered to them in the pew, they still go to the rail. We have reserved, handicapped seating available in the front pews, but they don’t always choose to sit there, and none of them complain.

When I asked a friend of mine who’s an amputee who uses his crutches to receive at the Communion rail, why he doesn’t wait for somebody to bring Holy Communion to him in the pew, he said that “Jesus didn’t go to the paralyzed man. The man was brought to Him”.

 

[zab]

So, prior to the 1970’s, handicapped people didn’t attend Mass?..right…

Besides, nobody here is talking about whether or not people with disabilities have access to churches. They obviously do because they’re inside of the building attending Mass. The poster is asking about the proper method to distribute Holy Communion to them without turning the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass into a circus. There have been several good suggestions in some of these posts.

My point is that all of the people attending Mass got into the building somehow, and had to use some method of transport to arrive at their pew. They also find some way of leaving the building to get to their cars to go home. If they can get to Mass, and they can get home from Mass, why is it such a dilemma to figure out how to transport them to the Communion rail?

At a televised Mass on EWTN, I saw Pope Benedict XVI give a woman Holy Communion who was carried to him on a stretcher. Neither he nor anybody else ran out into the nave to bring it to her. In my own parish, there are several people in wheel chairs who are pushed up to the Communion rail, as well as people using crutches, canes, etc. who present themselves at the rail. Even though it’s offered to them in the pew, they still go to the rail. We have reserved, handicapped seating available in the front pews, but they don’t always choose to sit there, and none of them complain.

When I asked a friend of mine who’s an amputee who uses his crutches to receive at the Communion rail, why he doesn’t wait for somebody to bring Holy Communion to him in the pew, he said that “Jesus didn’t go to the paralyzed man. The man was brought to Him”.

You do have a point. And I suspect that most people with disabilities who find a way to get to Mass do not expect to be treated specially. I also suspect that part of the reason for taking Communion to the people in designated areas is to keep the flow of traffic going smoothly. It makes it easier for everyone. But if people with walkers and crutches and wheelchairs want to go forward, so be it.

 

[Granatelli]

…My point is that all of the people attending Mass got into the building somehow, and had to use some method of transport to arrive at their pew. They also find some way of leaving the building to get to their cars to go home. If they can get to Mass, and they can get home from Mass, why is it such a dilemma to figure out how to transport them to the Communion rail?

Some of the elderly/infirm in my parish take a LONG TIME to get from their vehicles to their pews. Some are in wheelchairs. “Communion rail?” You must be kidding.

You should volunteer to bring one or more handicapped people to Mass for a few months. That will teach you a touch of compassion.

 

[hgaldys]

In the first 1969+ years of the Church, a lay person was never allowed to handle the sacred hosts (or the precious blood). Also, all Communicants who wished to receive had to present themselves at the Communion rail (the priest did not leave the Sanctuary during Mass).

Rather than question the poster’s motives for being an EMHC, we should be attempting to answer the question; Is there a Church document that provides instruction on how handicapped people may receive during Mass? Hearing about how Holy Communion is distributed in different parishes is interesting, but it doesn’t answer the question as to how the Church wants it to be done. (We all know that there are multitudes of abuses out there in parishes.) Can anybody provide a link to Church documentation on this subject?

Thank you, I guess I did not think I would come under attack for posting this question. I am a devout Catholic and feel very blessed to be an EMHC. I am also Sacristan for the parish, so I see ALOT! I really just want some documentation. I will have to think twice about even looking at these posts in the future.

 

[hgaldys]

Have the Pastor address the issue. It is his responsibility not yours to set policy.

He has, and states we will only go to the “Handicapped” areas. Now, I am being asked to write an informative article so everyone understands. I am Sacristan and EMHC trainer. Just looking for a few words of wisdom to inspire me because I have been trying to do this for two months and I can’t figure out what to say!!!

 

[marytk]

I never feel like I am delivering peanuts at the ball park. There are times when I feel profoundly blessed to be able to bring the Lord to someone who is suffering.

 

[thomas_jd]

He has, and states we will only go to the “Handicapped” areas. Now, I am being asked to write an informative article so everyone understands. I am Sacristan and EMHC trainer. Just looking for a few words of wisdom to inspire me because I have been trying to do this for two months and I can’t figure out what to say!!!

It seems you have answered the question.I suggest you assign locations to distribute Communion. As the trainer , a hard and thankless job, once instructed do what you think best. Have a announcement preceding mass or after the Homily ( either way is permitted).
There is no directions that I have found either. Good Luck!

 

[Mrs_Sally]

You’re right. However, I have yet to see where there are attempts to make the confessionals remodeled for the handicapped. Seems as if this sacrament should be just as important as the Eucharist in our spiritual lives. When I walk into a church for the first time, the confessional is usually the first thing I look for. Besides the tabernacle, of course.

The confessionals may not be remodeled, but confession does not need to happen in a confessional. The priest and penitent can meet in an aisle of the church, in the priest’s office, at the penitent’s home, etc.

 

[StillWondering]

When you bring the Eucharist to those who are handicap, do so with reverence and you will not feel like you are bringing a treat. At circumstances where it is at a place outside of the usual path for the ministers, I feel there needs to be an usher to protect the Eucharist. It both is important to have a protector just in case and it reminds everyone of the reverence of the moment and protect people from thinking it is a mere treat to be passed around.

In case your parish is making Holy Communion into something that is lacking in reverence and more of a social communion, bring your concerns up to the pastor. Everyone has a duty to speak up when we see something that is not right.

 

[ProVobis]

When you bring the Eucharist to those who are handicap, do so with reverence and you will not feel like you are bringing a treat.

I agree. At the hospital when I was visiting my dying father a priest would come around and say a few prayers with us before he gave us communion. I think this should be the norm. Or is it already?

 

[katiebelle08]

I am an Extra Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist (the correct title for Eucharistic Ministers I am told) and am facing controversy about bringing communion to the handicap present in the church. Some would like specific designated areas for the handicap, others think we should walk all over the church making sure everyone has received communion. Sometimes I feel like I am delivery popcorn/peanuts at a baseball game looking for people. Is there any documentation that I can read up on?

Well in my parish I am an Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion and normally our handicap members try and sit on the ends of what ever row they prefer to sit in so the EME’s can easily get to them. We also try and take a look through the Church before Mass begins so we know where the handicap people are. Also we talk to the Ushers because they will be able to tell us if they are anyone who will not be able to come up through the communion line.

I don’t know if there is any documentation of any proper way of communicating the handicap at Mass, other than reverently just as you would for everyone who comes up to the Altar in the Communion line. Of course this is advice and what we do at my parish and we are quite small. But I do also visit many parishes and this is the same way that they do it.

 

[tinalewis]

Thank you, I guess I did not think I would come under attack for posting this question. I am a devout Catholic and feel very blessed to be an EMHC. I am also Sacristan for the parish, so I see ALOT! I really just want some documentation. I will have to think twice about even looking at these posts in the future.

Boy, can I ever relate. I’ve felt at times that it’s open season to bash EMHC on this forum, like we’re intent on making everyone miserable and doing everything wrong just to frighten and be rude to good and holy people. It doesn’t matter to me if anyone respects me personally, after all who am I? But I do expect to be shown respect from Catholics for the job I do.

 

[tinalewis]

I agree. At the hospital when I was visiting my dying father a priest would come around and say a few prayers with us before he gave us communion. I think this should be the norm. Or is it already?

It’s the norm.

 

[amgp]

But I do expect to be shown respect from Catholics for the job I do.

Actually, there are Catholics who resent EMHCs, or should I say, they resent that EMHCs are allowed. Many Catholics feel that only an ordained priest or deacon should be allowed to touch the sacred species.

 

[ProVobis]

It’s the norm.

Which prayers before distributing communion outside Mass are the norm?