Communion to the Sick and Homebound
At most Masses, after the community’s participation in Communion, it is not uncommon to see a few people gather at the foot of the altar. These persons are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and they gather at the foot of the altar to receive the Body of Christ so that they can bring Communion to those who are unable to attend Mass. They receive Communion in a little round container called a pyx, which is Latin for “box.” Many of them wear the pyx around their necks so that it rests close to the heart.
These ministers, commissioned by the parish and the Archdiocese, travel to homes, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and prisons. Currently St. Thomas Aquinas serves the residents at Atria, Cottonwood, Crabapple Manor, Dogwood, JManor, Mayfield Oaks, Roswell Nursing Home, Lee Arrendale State Prison, Hays State Prison, and patients at WellStar North Fulton Hospital. In many cases the request for Communion is short-term, 2-3 weeks following surgery. In other cases the request is for a longer period due to old age or an extended illness.
The ministers not only bring Communion, they also spend time conversing and praying with those they visit. The relationship that forms between the minister and the parishioner is a very special one—often lasting long after the parishioner is able to return to Mass. Claire Dravis, who leads this ministry, understands the bonding that takes place between parishioners. “Fifteen years ago I began visiting a parishioner who was recovering from foot surgery. I visited with her in her home. A friendship developed and [when she recovered] my husband and I began to take her out to the movies, to shopping or to dinner. Today I still continue to bring her the Eucharist but now the setting is a nursing home. We recently celebrated her 85th birthday with a party at the nursing home. Another parishioner I visited for just a short 4 weeks while she recuperated from surgery. She is now fully recovered and attending her favorite mass at STA.”
The ministers say they receive much more from the ministry than they give. For more information or to get involved in this ministry, contact Claire Dravis, clairedravis@yahoo.com.