Purpose

The purpose of the Ministry of Care (MOC) is to provide pastoral care to our parishioners and their families who are sick, elderly, homebound or experiencing a time of need.

After an initial period of training, Ministers of Care are offered opportunities to visit and bring Holy Communion to residents of area nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and other homebound persons. The sacramental ministry of prayer and Holy Communion is central to the work of MOCs, but this ministry always involves being present to help out in some way, even if only to give the gift of listening and companionship.

In summary, the MOCs primary function is to make it possible for the sick, elderly and homebound to experience in their own setting the mystery of Christ in a threefold way: in the person of the MOC, in the words of Scripture and in Holy Communion. MOCs do not replace the ministry of the priest to the people, but rather extend and expand it so that all will have more regular contact with Christ in Holy Communion. People working as MOCs will tell you that they receive much more than they give.



Who can be a Minister of Care

• Since Ministers of Care minister to the sick and homebound, they should be empathic and compassionate. 
• They should be sensitive to the sick and homebound person’s needs including the spiritual, emotional, and material. 
• They should always take care to maintain the confidentiality and dignity of the individual. 
• They should also maintain contact with pastor and the MOC Coordinator and inform them if the person is in need of sacramental anointing, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or a pastoral visit. 
• In addition, if ministers observe a particular physical or social need of a homebound person, they should bring this need to the attention of the MOC Coordinator as well so that the parish may respond appropriately.

Dos and Don’ts of Bringing Communion to the Sick and Homebound

Do:
1. Make an appointment to visit. Ask how the person is feeling and if there will be others present so you will have sufficient hosts for all to receive.

2. Use the ritual “Communion of the Sick.”

3. Begin informally. Introduce yourself to those who are present and briefly explain what you have come to do. Pay attention to how the sick/homebound person is feeling.

4. Invite those who are present to participate in the prayers. If they feel comfortable, enlist the help of family or friends to do the readings.

5. Based on the person’s strength/attentiveness, you may share with them the homily from Mass.

6. Offer them the host, or a small piece of the host and have a cup of water handy if the person has difficulty swallowing.

7. Create links to the parish, for example, bring a parish bulletin, share news from the parish, ask if there is anything the parish can do for them, if they need to see a priest for the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Anointing of the Sick.

8. Thank the person for the opportunity to pray with them and for their hospitality.

Don’t:
1. Don’t visit a sick person if you are not feeling well yourself. Find a substitute.

2. Don’t stay too long or take the role of a counselor or confidant.

3. Don’t compete with a television or radio. Politely ask if these can be turned off during the service.

4. Don’t carry the consecrated host in a plastic bag, purse, pocket or other unsuitable container. Always use a pyx to carry the consecrated host.

5. Don’t leave the consecrated host if the person cannot receive it. Instead, return at a later time to see the sick person. Return any extra hosts to the tabernacle in church, or quietly consume them privately. Don’t take hosts home or leave them in your car.