The pandemic gave many of the faithful a taste of what it’s like to be homebound. The suspension of public Masses in March 2020, and later, limited Mass attendance, meant many Catholics experienced a greater connection with those not able to receive Communion on a regular basis, said Lori Hannasch, pastoral care director at St. John Neumann in Eagan.
“I think it has given all of our ministers (extraordinary ministers of holy Communion) within our parishes a greater empathy as they are going out to … those who are not able to receive Communion on a regular basis,” she said.
Lori Hannasch
The “homebound” could mean those recovering from surgery, Hannasch said, or those ill and isolated at home. She said the hardest part for her is not always knowing of those individuals. “It’s so important that we stay connected with those that are homebound,” she said.
Those who know of someone homebound who could benefit from a visit should first contact their parish, Hannasch said. Most parishes have a pastoral minister on staff or a priest who would be able to help them, she said. Volunteers with a Communion ministry visit the homebound and those living in senior living facilities who cannot make it to Mass, and offer other services, she said.
Hannasch recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley for a segment that will debut 9 p.m. Nov. 26, to discuss the need and the value of having parishioners visit and bring Communion to the homebound. That kind of visit is especially valued over the holidays, when separation seems to get magnified, she said. At the same time, she said, those who help often want to do extra things for the homebound.
Last holiday season, Hannasch’s parish sent cards to the homebound, and this year, parishioners are considering delivering calendars and care packages.
“Besides volunteering as an actual minister, maybe reach out to your parish and see, would they like any cards to be sent out that you could just drop off?” she said. The parish could send the cards to individuals who may be a little more isolated, she said.
People bringing the Eucharist to a home carry it in a small pouch close to their heart, Hannasch said, “so Jesus is staying close to their heart.” Volunteers will often sit and talk to “get to know the individual a little bit.”
Volunteers also offer to add the homebound to a prayer chain and to the prayers of the faithful on the weekend, Hannasch said, “anything to keep them connected with the community here.” But, she said, “first and foremost, it’s bringing Christ to them.”
Many of the homebound don’t realize that they also bring Christ to the volunteers, she said. “And what a gift they are offering the volunteers by asking to have somebody come and visit and bring them the Eucharist.”
Extraordinary ministers of holy Communion must be age 16 or older and confirmed. They also must have “that deep love of the Blessed Sacrament and (be) just committed to the Church’s understanding of that real presence of Christ in the Eucharist,” Hannasch said. They also complete a background check and trainings.
To learn more about the requirements – and to hear the full interview, listen to this episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show. It also airs at 1 p.m. Nov. 27 and 2 p.m. Nov. 28 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with clergy sexual abuse survivor Gina Barthel, who tells her story of hope and how Bishop Andrew Cozzens walked with her through a dark time in her life, and Father Tom Margevicius, who discusses ways to stay connected to St. Joseph, as the Year of St. Joseph comes to an end.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at
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