Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

Communion to the sick and homebound is an important ministry of the Church.  “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)

The Diocese of Lafayette in 2013 issued guidelines for distributing Holy Communion Outside of Mass within the Celebration of the Word.  A guide for praying a Communion Service was developed for use within our Diocese.  Some of these guidelines are below.

· Holy Communion may be given outside of Mass on any day and at any hour.  Nevertheless: 

o On Holy Thursday, Holy Communion may be given only during Mass; Holy Communion may be brought to the sick at any hour of the day

o On Good Friday, Holy Communion may be given only during the celebration of the Passion of the Lord; Holy Communion may be brought to the sick who cannot participate in the celebration at any hour of the day

o On Holy Saturday, Holy Communion may be given only as viaticum.

· The Eucharist for Holy Communion outside a church is carried in a pyx.  The person with the Eucharist should travel directly from the church to the site of the Communion service and he/she should return any unconsumed hosts directly to the tabernacle in the church after the service is completed.  

The Diocese of Lafayette in 2014 adapted these guidelines to include the Communion of the Sick in Ordinary Circumstances.  Only trained and commissioned members of our community are authorized to bring Holy Communion to the Sick.  There is a service that goes along with bringing Holy Communion to the sick.  “The link between the community’s eucharistic celebration, especially on the Lord’s Day, and the communion of the sick are intimate and manifold.” (Pastoral Care of the Sick)

Please contact the church office if you or someone you know would like to receive Holy Communion outside of Mass due to illness or physical disability.  Ms. Diane Triche coordinates and trains ministers to bring communion to the homebound.  

If you would like to volunteer as a homebound or nursing home communion minister and bring Jesus Christ to those who cannot be with us at Mass, please speak to Ms. Diane Triche.  We are always in need of volunteers for this ministry.

Blessings to all of you,

Fr. David