Ministry to the Sick and Shut-In persons is a ministry founded in the Church’s rich tradition of pastoral care. It is meant to reach those unable to participate in the Church’s life due to hospitalization, suffering from the effects of illness, disability, or the aging process.

Eucharistic Ministers take communion to Redlands area Catholics in private homes, in residences for the sick and elderly, and in Redlands Community Hospital. They arrange occasional visits by the priest so that the sick person may receive confession or the Sacrament of the Sick. Our visitors also arrange with our parish priests to visit nursing homes to celebrate occasional Masses.

After you call us, or someone calls for you, a parish communion visitor will be assigned to you. We have communion visitors who are bilingual. The assigned Eucharistic Minister will call you or your caregiver first to arrange a convenient time to visit.

Sometimes you or a family member may need this service only for a time--such as while you are recovering from a surgery. At other times you or another parishioner may need a visitor for several years.

Contact us! Simple "how to" instructions are given to you by Deacon Mike or one of the ministry coordinators. You also receive the Catholic Ritual booklet for the Administration of Communion to the Sick and a pyx (a metal container for the host). You can choose whether you are interested in visiting a private person, one of the residences for the sick and elderly within our parish boundaries, or Redlands Community Hospital. Frequently you begin by accompanying another minister until you feel comfortable serving alone.

We do a free background check for you before you begin. A special identification card is given you annually to identify you as having been delegated by The Holy Name of Jesus.

Once or twice a year, you are invited to come together with the other ministers to the sick for sharing, instruction, and prayer. From time to time, Deacon Mike or one of the other ministry coordinators checks with you to see how you are doing, and how the person you are visiting is doing.

People find this ministry enriches their lives spiritually,often bringing them a sense of deep peace. Those who we visit are deeply grateful for this compassionate service by their fellow parishioners. This ministry also is fairly flexible - it can be fit into the varied schedules we all have.

We always have need for more people in this vital ministry. Could you be one?