Our call as Ministers to the Sick and Home-bound is to be present to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Christian presence is the gift we bring to the sick.
“The faithful who are ill are deprived of their rightful and accustomed place in the Eucharistic community. In bringing communion to them the minister of communion represents Christ and manifests faith and charity on behalf of the whole community toward those who cannot be present at the Eucharist. For the sick the reception of communion is not only a privilege but also a sign of support and concern shown by the Christian community for its members who are ill” (Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rite of Anointing and Viaticum, 73).
Community Communion Services
In addition to visiting private homes, we coordinate Communion Service to Fairport Baptist Home, Aaron Manor, Heathwood Assisted Living, Jefferson Senior Apartments, Memory Care at Creekstone, Northfield and the Woodland’s Independent Senior Living Center according to a set schedule.
What is the Ministry to the Sick and Home-bound?
The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion brings the comfort of Christ in the form of the Eucharist to those who cannot come to church. We bring the Church to people who cannot physically come to church. In this way, the sick and homebound are united to the Body of Christ present in our community. We continue the healing and compassionate ministry of Jesus, as members of His Body. It is always in Jesus’ Name that we visit.
This is not a private but a public act of representing the Church as an institution and as a parish.
What is required to become part of this ministry?
This ministry provides training, and the new minister is also mentored by an experienced Eucharistic Minister to the Sick and Homebound.
The minister needs to be a baptized Catholic and an active member of the parish who participates in weekly mass, communion services, and a person of prayer.
He/she practices the art of listening and understanding with the attitude of love and respect when they visit.
Each minister receives a diocesan EMHC commission card, C.A.S.E. (Creating a Safe Environment) Training and a background check prior to ministry training.
What is the time commitment?
This varies, daily, weekly, monthly, etc. This will be determined according to the needs and schedule of the one visited and the minister.
Request Visit to Homebound
If you have a relative or friend who is homebound and would like to be visited by an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please call 585-388-5422 and someone from the team will return your call.