Jesus, delivered: Extraordinary ministers of holy Communion visit the homebound

Darlene Lefever holds a pyx. (NTC/Thomas Otto)

It’s about the Eucharist’s centrality to the faith overcoming challenges faced by Catholics unable to attend Mass because of illness, age, or poor health, said Deacon Tom Doran during a Sept. 14 Sick and Homebound Ministry retreat at his home parish, St. Michael in Bedford.

“It’s about bringing Jesus to those who cannot join us here in the church themselves,” Dcn. Doran said.

Several extraordinary ministers of holy Communion attended the session joined by several more interested in learning about the ministry.

St. Michael parishioner Kathy Webster described the satisfaction she derives from bringing Communion to the homebound.

“Because they can watch Mass on TV or online, but they still don’t get the Eucharist,” Webster said. “But, as Catholics, the Eucharist is everything. The people I bring Communion to each week are so appreciative, and that makes me feel so good to be able to do that for them.”

Webster, at her previous parish in Abilene, delivered Communion to hospitalized Catholic patients. She now, having relocated to Euless, delivers to homebound residents at Oaks 55, an independent living apartment complex for seniors.

“It’s not like delivering a pizza, which is nice,” Webster said. “This is bringing them the Body of Christ, which is far more important. … So it’s nice to be able to help them receive Christ each week.”
 

In addition to extraordinary ministers of holy Communion — those who help distribute Communion during Mass — others take Communion to parishioners confined to their homes, the hospital, or a nursing home. The ministers serve those facing short-term situations, such as rehabilitation or a hospital stay, as well as those permanently unable to attend Mass.

“This is not the convenience of the 20th century,” Dcn. Doran said of homebound ministries. “This is from the very beginning of the Church, and we know that from the earliest writings of the Church fathers.”

That means working to ensure that parishioners in need receive Communion.

“As homebound ministers, we follow our people where they go,” Dcn. Doran said. “They may be home for years with hospital stays in between. Then they may go to a nursing home or hospice.”

Demand for homebound delivery is high. St. Michael parishioner Brittany Boudreau, who leads the parish's homebound ministry, said she receives new requests for homebound service weekly.

“We currently have around 20 ministers serving about 35 homebound folks,” Boudreau said. “We keep our ratios tight so our ministers can spend time with our homebound people getting to know them, maybe relieving some of their loneliness sometimes. Through that we really build beautiful relationships with the people we serve.”

Boudreau added that her two young children frequently accompany her.

“They’ve gotten to have a lot of surrogate grandparents through this ministry, and it’s been really wonderful,” Boudreau said.

Peggy Hoenig, a parishioner at St. Mary in Gainesville, became involved in homebound ministry shortly after she converted to the faith in 2012.

“I get the love of these people,” Hoenig answered when asked how the ministry bolsters her faith. “I’ve seen many of these same people for years and, when I’m through bringing them Communion for the day, my heart is just so happy.”

Hoenig and others spoke of the social aspect as well.

“Many have other family members,” Hoenig said. “But a lot don’t get to see anybody too often. They’re just by themselves.”

Hoenig spoke of a 97-year-old parishioner she originally befriended while entering the Church and now delivers Communion to.

“She’s become like my grandmother,” Hoenig said. “She’s just super special to me.”
 

Hoenig will switch roles soon.

“I’m having surgery and will be off my feet several weeks,” Hoenig said. “So my Eucharistic ministers will be bringing Communion to me for a while, which is really cool.”

Bob and Rebecca Bartush, lifelong parishioners at Muenster’s Sacred Heart Parish, began delivering to homebound parishioners after COVID restrictions eased.

Rebecca also observed the added social aspect of visiting homebound parishioners. “They cherish pretty much every visitor they have. Being able to bring the Blessed Sacrament to them is a big thing. It really lights up their day.”

Of the ministry, Rebecca said she initially joined in simply to help out, with the impact of what she and her husband were doing hitting later.

“It soon became so motivating to see the joy receiving Communion brought these people and how reverent they are,” Rebecca said. 

Bob agreed.

“I also love just to sit and visit, catch up with them and talk about news around town,” Bob said. “The chance to make friends we may not otherwise have.”

The couple bring their children along as well.

“We explain to them that this is Jesus and we’re bringing Jesus to these people,” Rebecca said.

They hope, Bob said, through accompanying their parents, their young children will learn the importance of faith and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.

The Bartushes bring Communion to fellow parishioners Tommy and Virgella Herr, a stroke and other medical issues having left Tommy unable to attend Mass.

“It’s wonderful,” Virgella said. “We’ve been parishioners there all our lives. My husband just can’t get to Mass anymore, but it’s very important to him to still receive the Eucharist.”
 

Susan Urbanek serves as a homebound extraordinary minister of holy Communion at St. Francis Village in Crowley, a Catholic senior independent living community.

“It’s one of my greatest honors to be able to bring Jesus to people who wouldn’t be able to get Him otherwise,” Urbanek said. “I get as much pleasure out of it as they do, and I also get to check on them to make sure they’re doing okay.”

St. Michael parishioner Jim Black joined the parish’s homebound ministry about 15 years ago, and his wife, Mary Pat Black, accompanies him each week.

Homebound ministry, Mary Pat said, affords opportunity to bring the Body of Christ to others and make friendships as well as help their homebound parishioners with small chores and errands from time to time.

“It’s so joyous to do this because they’re so grateful,” Mary Pat Black said.

It’s a ministry always in need of volunteers, several homebound ministers said, a ministry requiring not much time commitment but also one that brings huge outreach and spiritual benefits.

“When I stand up in front of the church to get volunteers, I always tell them that, ‘This could be your mom needing Communion,’” Hoenig said. “It could be your dad, your grandma. It could be you, and it’s just a very good, rewarding thing to do.”

Boudreau joked that she stumbled into homebound ministry about a decade ago while perusing different tables at St. Michael’s annual ministry fair.

“I met a lady at [the homebound ministry table] who was just so warm and inviting and explained to me what it is. I loved the idea of serving God’s people wherever they are. That’s how I started.”