Pastoral Care Ministry Question

[Chaffa55]

Greetings,

As part of our parish pastoral care ministry, I bring Holy Communion to residents of a local nursing home. I usually attend Saturday vigil mass; prior to home visits, I return to church Sunday morning to obtain consecrated hosts. After the visits, I return to church and replace any unconsumed hosts to the tabernacle. In our church, the tabernacle is in a side chapel, some distance from the sanctuary.

Here is my question. May I obtain the hosts for my ministry on Saturday after vigil mass and keep them in a secure place in my home until Sunday mornings and my nursing home visits?

My intent is to save some time and driving Sunday morning. Also I wish to not be disruptive of those who are in prayer before the tabernacle before Sunday mass. However, my main concern is to be properly respectful of our Lord’s precious body. I’d appreciate assistance with this matter. Peace and blessings, John

 

[water]

Greetings,

As part of our parish pastoral care ministry, I bring Holy Communion to residents of a local nursing home. I usually attend Saturday vigil mass; prior to home visits, I return to church Sunday morning to obtain consecrated hosts. After the visits, I return to church and replace any unconsumed hosts to the tabernacle. In our church, the tabernacle is in a side chapel, some distance from the sanctuary.

Here is my question. May I obtain the hosts for my ministry on Saturday after vigil mass and keep them in a secure place in my home until Sunday mornings and my nursing home visits?

My intent is to save some time and driving Sunday morning. Also I wish to not be disruptive of those who are in prayer before the tabernacle before Sunday mass. However, my main concern is to be properly respectful of our Lord’s precious body. I’d appreciate assistance with this matter. Peace and blessings, John

I don’t think you could. I am required to go straight to the Nursing Home as soon as I have the Host. I could ask for you and get back to you. I normally get up 6:00am and get ready to go to the Church to ask for the Host before the early mass starts. The part of getting up early is tough but worth it. I am not looking for any other alternative to make it easier for me.

 

[puzzleannie]

Here is my question. May I obtain the hosts for my ministry on Saturday after vigil mass and keep them in a secure place in my home until Sunday mornings and my nursing home visits?

no unless there is some urgent reason, and even then only with permission of your pastor. Convenience is not urgent, danger of death is urgent, and then, why would the minister wait until the next day?

You must leave the church with the sacrament and go directly to those who will be receiving it, with no stops along the way, and if possible, without speaking to anyone. you are of course using a pyx or other approved vessel for this.

God bless you on your ministry to the sick and elderly, very much needed and appreciated.

I have never been anyplace where lay ministers were allowed to removed hosts from the tabernacle for this purpose. Here the priest calls those who are ministering to the sick after communion and distributes the hosts they will need himself.

 

[water]

I have never been anyplace where lay ministers were allowed to removed hosts from the tabernacle for this purpose. Here the priest calls those who are ministering to the sick after communion and distributes the hosts they will need himself.

I am not allowed either, but in the morning, the one who is in charge of the entire ministry removes the Host. I am sure the pastor allows her to do this but I am not sure if this is violating any rules.

 

[Chaffa55]

I have never been anyplace where lay ministers were allowed to removed hosts from the tabernacle for this purpose. Here the priest calls those who are ministering to the sick after communion and distributes the hosts they will need himself.

First, thanks for your responses, I will observe my current practices. Secondly, I will bring Annie’s point to the attention of our parish liturgist (she runs the PC ministry). Blessings, John

 

[m134e5]

You may have a secure place in your home, but is it really secure enough? Is it really dignified enough? I do not think convenience is enough of a reason to store the Sacrament in a place other than a tabernacle for that long.

 

[Joannm]

No, you are not allowed to bring the Eucharist home for any reason except to bring it to someone who is sick. You cannot even go to the store after mass with the EUcharist after getting it at mass. You have to go directly to the sick person. You cannot even get it before mass and sit in the church to attend mass. Our priests cannot even keep it in the rectory.

 

[Chaffa55]

Thanks for your responses. I will continue to acquire the consecrated hosts Sunday morning, immediately before the nursing home visit. Blessings, John