In her time of need, Mary, the mother of God, visited her cousin Elizabeth. Mary comforted her cousin by bringing the savior Jesus Christ to Elizabeth in her womb. In the same way, the Ministry to the Sick and Homebound brings comfort and joy to those unable to participate in the larger community by bringing them Jesus in the Eucharist.

“I was sick and you visited me….”
Are you looking for a way to make your presence in our parish more meaningful? Would you like to share and experience God’s grace in a very powerful way?
The Ministry to the Sick and Homebound needs more ministers to serve those in our parish who are not able to join us at Mass. This truly is an opportunity to become the hands and feet of Our Lord!

Training and support will be provided. Please pray about this opportunity and contact us at StBCommunion@gmail.com or (925) 276-9180, or click HERE for an online sign-up form.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick and Homebound should be:

• a Catholic in good standing who has received all the Sacraments of Initiation
• at least 21 years of age
• caring and empathetic
• someone who has or is willing to complete Safe Environment Training & Live Scan Fingerprinting
• willing to partipate in ongoing training and formation
• able to preserve confidentiality

Thank you for joining us for our recent training. Look below for some of the resources we mentioned.

Administration of Holy Communion to the Sick by an Extraordinary Minister (from Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass) 

Lay Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick and Homebound Quick Start Guide (a very basic "how to" resource for Communion to the Sick at St. Bonaventure)

Order Communion of the Sick ("The Green Book") here. Valuable service booklet for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist that contains all appropriate readings as well as a series of beneficial pastoral instructions and guidelines. Includes texts for both Communion in Ordinary Circumstances and Communion in a Hospital or Institution. Bilingual edition in English and Spanish.

Order Communion of the Sick at Liturgical Press here. Contains official texts of the Rites to use when administering the Eucharist to the sick. Slightly smaller version than the green book, English only.


Pyxes and burses: A pyx is a small container used to carry the Blessed Sacrament to the sick or those unable to come to Mass. A burse is a case or pouch designed to hold a pyx.  A cord is usually attached so that the pyx may be placed inside and then worn about the neck, close to the heart of the person carrying the Blessed Sacrament. We have pyxes and burses at St. Bonaventure available for Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers and family members to borrow. Many who visit the sick regularly may wish to purchase their own. There are many options available to buy at religious goods shops locally (try San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville and Holy Angels in Antioch) or online.

  


Self-Guided Training for Diocese of Oakland Lay Pastoral Visitors:
This self-guided introduction and training is intended to help you prepare to provide spiritual support, including the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Communion, as a component of a broader “Whole Person Care Initiative” in the Diocese of Oakland. Our overarching purpose is to make present the love of Christ in the lives of all members of the Body of Christ, and thereby help to mitigate that portion of human suffering and distress as may be possible in a ministry of lay pastoral care. If you need access to this page, please contact your ministry coordinator.