Guidelines for EMHCs leaving Mass

[Marita_Glasner]

Are there any guidelines for EMHCs leaving the church to take Holy Communion to the sick?

I visit two nursing homes in our parish each fortnight to offer Holy Communion to the Catholic residents. We go after Mass and have always been ‘sent’ by the priest right before the last Blessing - with a prayer and to reassure the residents that they are a part of the parish. Recently, a new priest has come and he has asked that the EMHCs process out after Mass with the other ministers - without a prayer or a thought that we go on behalf of the parish. We are free to stay and chat if we so desire.

 

[otjm]

If you are carrying the Blessed Sacrament at the time you leave Mass then you should leave as directed (processing out) and then leave to distribute.

To put it another way - you don’t go up to receive Communion, and stop there to have a chat with the priest, or deacon, or EMHC, or your neighbor…

I would not consider chatting with a neighbor after Mass to be a serious sin; but it is considered disrespectful of the Blessed Sacrament. Others may disagree ( including your new priest, possibly), but I doubt that you will offend anyone by simply leaving to go about your duties.

And if someone is offended ( you don’t need to be rude in moving on; just move on - or say simply that you are going to distribute Communion, smile and move on) - so, if anyone is offended, consider the source.

 

[anonymous_in_fl]

Our priest/parish has never had a “sending” rite for the EMHC’s taking the Eucharist to the sick. The pyx is left on the altar and right after the priest processes out after the final blessing we go up the altar, pick up the pyx, and go directly to visit the sick and take them communion.

There is no stopping to chat, no stopping for coffee, no running errands.

 

[MissRose73]

Our priest will call forward those taking the Eucharist to the sick/homebound to take their pyx then he imparts a blessing then tells them to go forth. Most wait til the final blessing and hymn then they go from there. From what I know, they are to not spend time socializing and stuff until after they take Communion to the person(s).

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Are there any guidelines for EMHCs leaving the church to take Holy Communion to the sick?

I visit two nursing homes in our parish each fortnight to offer Holy Communion to the Catholic residents. We go after Mass and have always been ‘sent’ by the priest right before the last Blessing - with a prayer and to reassure the residents that they are a part of the parish. Recently, a new priest has come and he has asked that the EMHCs process out after Mass with the other ministers - without a prayer or a thought that we go on behalf of the parish. We are free to stay and chat if we so desire.

If you are in possession of the Blessed Sacrament, you are not free to stay and chat. Absolutely not. When you are taking the Blessed Sacrament to the sick, you take it from Point A to Point B. Your priest should be the one doing this so those who are receiving may also be able to go to confession first.

 

[ProVobis]

Which became my grip when I was recently hospitalized. Why not just visit the sick, ask if they need prayers, etc? Once you get to distribute the Sacred Body, now you must follow the rules and this isn’t especially desired if one is not properly disposed or unable to receive for whatever reason. Is the patient’s spirituality really addressed here more than the minister’s?

And I’ve said enough.

 

[MissRose73]

Which became my grip when I was recently hospitalized. Why not just visit the sick, ask if they need prayers, etc? Once you get to distribute the Sacred Body, now you must follow the rules and this isn’t especially desired if one is not properly disposed or unable to receive for whatever reason. Is the patient’s spirituality really addressed here more than the minister’s?

And I’ve said enough.

Our diocese has better guidelines that are enforced more now for those who bring Communion to the homebound. They had to attend a workshop along with those who serve as EMHCs at Mass and must be commissioned too. The EMHCs are given a sheet with a prayer service they can lead with the person(s) they are administering Communion to. They are to carry the pyx in a burse, and have been told they are to go immediately after Mass to the person(s), and no socializing after Mass in the gathering space or parking lot.