How can I take the Eucharist to the sick

[caroljm36]

I’ve been trying to get more involved in the various ministries at my church, and inquired about how I could visit the elderly in nursing homes under the auspices of the parish. Somehow this morphed into taking the Eucharist to shut-ins, which could be a way of getting into nursing homes for me. Late one night a fellow parishioner called and talked to me about it and I was tired and felt kind of intimidated. Me, giving the Eucharist to somebody? Isn’t a priest the only one who can do that? He never called back and now I wonder if I didn’t sound enthusiastic enough. I had just gotten back from a long meeting and was pretty tired.

Really, I am confused and feel a little unworthy. Is it really okay to do this? If so I think I’d like it, but I was afraid it might be some new or bogus practice to relieve priests of their rounds at the homes and hospitals.

 

[RichT]

I along with 19 others were recently commissioned as Ministers of Care at my parish. Our responsibilities include taking the Eucharist to the homebound, those in the hospital, and those in prison. Yes this is a perfectly legitimate ministry, and a very rewarding one at that. There simply are not enough priest to visit every Catholic in need of communion. Of course there are certain duties ony a priest can do, but we are allowed to bring the Eucharist to those who can’t otherwise make it to mass on Sunday. I would encourage you to talk to your priest about this ministry and if you feel called, go for it!

 

[Mysty101]

caroljm36:

Really, I am confused and feel a little unworthy. Is it really okay to do this? If so I think I’d like it, but I was afraid it might be some new or bogus practice to relieve priests of their rounds at the homes and hospitals.

Bogus? Hardly–there are far more patients and homebound and far less Priests, so the need is definitely genuine.

God bless you for your generous heart in considering this much needed ministry. First of all try to determine if you are OK visiting the sick—it can be very depressing. There are nursing homes, hospitals, and the homebound. I personally prefer the hospital, but that is an individual decision. If you visit a homebound patient, you can develope more of a relationship, if you wish. Nursing home may also combine the role of a pastoral visitor, if this is what you wish to do. The hospital is more of a one time visit, so you do not get too attached.

If you prefer an institution over a home visit, call the institution (probably the volunteers office) and they can put you in touch with the priest or pastoral care director. Sometimes the institutions prefer that you get your training in the Parish, but they will tell you what to do. If they tell you to get EMHC training in your Parish (It is basically the same training as an EMHC for Mass, with a little more added to minister to the sick), or if you prefer visiting a homebound person, call the Parish office. You can make the call–perhaps the other person did think you weren’t really interested–they will not want to pressure you.

God bless you

 

[Joe_Kelley]

It’s really a great ministry. The side benefit is that you get a lot of people praying for you. The gratitude of those you serve is overwhelming.

I know at least three cases where I was the last one to give someone communion, even though we didn’t know it at the time. They remember it, and it’s great to have them praying for me now.

 

[caroljm36]

Thanks everyone. Yes I felt overwhelmed at first but by the next day I realized I really wanted to do this, provided I wasn’t participating in something not authorized by the Vatican.

Do I need one of those visitation kits?

 

[stbruno]

Many dioceses provide specialized training for those who visit the homebound since it takes some practical training when people have limited physical capacity to receive communion. i.e. they suffer from strokes, having feeding tubes etc, oxygen. You will be instructed how to fraction the host or even offer spiritual communion. More than likely you will be provided a pyx( the special container) which is the proper container for carrying the hosts to the homebound, plus there even may be a sending ceremony which is part of your church’s way of getting the parish family involved in the prayers for the sick. It may sound overwhelming, but the rewards are amazing, plus then you will be properly commissioned for the ministry. I strongly suggest talking to your parish priest to find out where the ministry is taught, or perhaps they do it right within your parish. God bless you for this vital ministry.

 

[Franciscum]

caroljm36:

Thanks everyone. Yes I felt overwhelmed at first but by the next day I realized I really wanted to do this, provided I wasn’t participating in something not authorized by the Vatican.

Do I need one of those visitation kits?

They are not mandatory, but I sure use one. That way I have a crucifix and two burning candles as I offer communion. I also have a thin piece of board covered with a corporal onto which I place the full pyx and the crucifix/candle combination.

 

[Mysty101]

caroljm36:

Do I need one of those visitation kits?

Don’t get anything until you decide or are told what type of visits you will be making.

If you would like to visit the nursing home, call there and ask if they have a Pastoral Care dept. Try that first, unless you want to do the homebound ministry. It will be harder to switch, if you start doing the homebound.

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

When I do wake services, the families always say that their loved one was most grateful for the folks that would come to their home, or hospital room, or nursing home and bring the Eucharist.

May God bless all those who do this special ministry,
Deacon Tony SFO