Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound

Here at St. John Evangelist Parish, we make an extra effort to stay connected with those parishioners who are not able to join us at Mass due to extended illness or physical/mental incapacities. Hospital or home visits, phone calls, our semi-annual card ministry, and the work of our St. Vincent DePaul Society combine together to make sure our homebound members know they are not forgotten. Our Homebound ministers have the privilege of taking our Lord, present in the Eucharist to those homebound members of our church, letting them know they are loved and being prayed for.

How do I, as a homebound person, arrange to receive the Eucharist?

The process usually works like this: A homebound person (or one of their family members) calls in to the parish office requesting that someone from the parish comes to their home to minister the sacrament. The team leader, currently Pat Rolewski, assigns someone to minister to that person. Sunday morning after-mass visits are the norm.

What does a Minister to the Homebound do?

The minister attends Mass at the parish, and then leaves for the home visit. After training, which is provided by our team leader, you will receive a 'home visit kit' which consists of a corporal (cloth), holy water, a small candle, a prayer book, and a pyx, which is used to carry the Eucharist in. The person you are visiting will be expecting you. When arriving at the home, there is a prayer format you follow, and the Eucharist is given to the homebound person. All the details of 'how and when' are explained during training.

Who can become a Minister to the Homebound?

As with all our ministers of the Eucharist, you must have a deep faith and believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. You must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the church. You must be willing to go out to the people, so transportation is necessary. Finally, you must be committed to ministering when you are scheduled.

If you are interested in more details of this important and rewarding ministry, please call the parish office and they will put you in contact with Pat Rolewski.