Communion to Shut-Ins

To request Holy Communion to be given to a Catholic who is unable to attend Sunday Mass.

Phone the parish office, 340-0691, between the hours of 8:30 am & noon, and 1:00 pm & 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, providing the following information:

1. Name, location and phone number of the shut-in

2. Language spoken by the shut-in

3. Phone number of the care giver

4. Shut-in's general condition (physically able to receive Communion? any urgency?)

5. Time when Communion will be needed (being hospitalized or undergoing surgery?)

Please do not assume that a hospital or nursing facility will notify the parish of the presence of an individual at their location. this does not and will not happen. The parish only knows of a persons admittance to a hospital or nursing facility, or shut-in at home, if so informed.

Generally, we visit a shut-in weekly to bring them Holy Communion at a mutually arranged time. The caregiver may also receive at the same time. St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish is blessed with wonderful volunteers who visit retirement centers, independent living centers, assisted living centers, nursing homes, and homebound individuals within our parish weekly. We also visit Edmond Medical Center daily.

How can I bring Holy Communion to someone who is unable to attend Mass?

1. Pray so that God will help you discern if this ministry is for you at this time in your life. God calls us, not the other way around.

2. You should enjoy visiting sick people and listening, remembering that this is not about you but about someone else. Also, we expect you to have a certain maturity, that is, be able to keep confidences and have the ability to follow through on your commitments.

3. You need to be a commissioned Communion Minister in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and in our Catholic Parish of St. John the Baptist. If you are not a Communion Minister yet, please see www.stjohn-catholic.org/eucharist_ministers.htm.

4. Let the parish know of your interest. Either sign up at the Stewardship Fair in the fall or phone the church office (340-0691) for assistance.

5. Attend our special training session, usually within a month after Christmas.