Sharing My Spiritual Gifts as a Eucharistic Minister

When my father’s health was deteriorating when he reached the age of 95, I realized how isolated and lonely he had become. I lived in California, Dad in Wisconsin. When he passed at age 97, struggling with “Why, God, have you not taken me yet?”, it was then I knew I had to serve the shut-ins. His struggle helped me understand how desperately the elderly and hospitalized need to feel a Spiritual connection, especially at this time.

The training provided for Eucharistic Ministers helped me feel confident in serving those in need. We learned about the needs of the bed-ridden, both physical and emotional, and the process of serving the Eucharist in various circumstances.

When I visit these wonderful people, I feel I am filling a tremendous void for them, and allowing them to reconnect with what they may feel they had lost at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Their physical needs may be met, however so often their spiritual and emotional well-being is set aside, while nurses, doctors, and family, honorably attempt to improve their health or mobility.

I have been serving Eucharist to those home-bound for several years, and often jump at the opportunity to do this more than the once-a-month schedule. My dear husband, Doug, often volunteers to accompany me, so we can “run” as the need arises. The joy and blessing I receive surely must be more than what the recipient receives. Knowing how much our presence and reconnection with St. Paul’s is so important to each person we visit, is evident on their faces, which may be the only way of expressing their gratitude.

God surprises me almost every visit, such as when I was visiting Rita and Dorothy at their nursing homes. Rita, although blind and bedridden, found no obstacle too great for her to express her love for the Cathedral, and joy in having me serve Eucharist. I discovered through Rev. Dorothy Curry, that they loved music, and that Rita was a long-standing choir member. I made sure to bring my music and play songs that may have familiarity. Rita loved classical music, and could even remember the names of various compositions, so I included Bach and Mozart. They both loved being able to recite The Lord’s Prayer or Psalm 23.

A special bond is created with those we serve. I am blessed to provide that Spiritual Presence, as a vessel from God. It's the slow paced quiet, reverent time for both recipient and provider to share their love in Christ.

You may want to consider becoming a Eucharistic Minister. Or, you may know of someone who would love to have a Cathedral Visitor or Eucharistic Minister enter their life. In either case, please contact Brooks Mason at masonb@stpaulcathedral.org or Vicki Hoppenrath vl_hoppe@hotmail.com.

by Faith DeHart

Eucharistic Ministers: could this be this your calling?

Eucharistic Ministers deliver Sacrament to those in our community who cannot make it to services: people who are ill, unable to travel, or otherwise shut-in. This is a vital way to keep all members of the SPC community connected to our common table. The time commitment is minimal and the rewards are huge.  Perhaps you might be called to this important  ministry? 

Joanna Airhart reflects on serving as a Eucharistic Minister
The Eucharistic Ministry is made up of just regular people who attend St. Paul’s Cathedral. The EM’s (short for Eucharistic Ministers) are not ordained, but feel a calling to carry Jesus to a parishioner who is unable to attend church services. At the end of a Sunday service, the EM accepts the consecrated Bread and Wine, the person to be visited is prayed for in front of the whole congregation, and the EM then brings a personal Communion service to the visitee’s home or hospital. I often think of a day that I took Communion to a blind and disabled woman. She is usually in intense pain, but this day she felt good. As I prepared for our short service, our parishioner lovingly made sure the woman in the bed next to her knew all were welcome to join us in the Eucharist.

Your time commitment is only about one hour after church every 4 to 6 weeks. It is an honor to be a Eucharist Minister for St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The Rev Canon Dorothy Curry coordinates the ministry.  She explains,

Needed: Eucharistic Ministers (also known nationally as Eucharistic Visitors)

What do EMs do? They take communion once a month to our shut-ins. Depending on the person being visited, they lead a short service with the leaflet provided, share any insight from the sermon and provide a hopeful presence to that person.

How? They receive the communion kit from the Deacon at the 10:30 or 8 a.m. service.

Scheduled? They receive a calendar from the Scheduler indicating which Sunday they are assigned. (They are responsible for trading with another EM if the date doesn't work for them.)

Training: Required to take the Safeguarding God's People course, which is on the Diocesan Web Site, listed under For Congregations (Usually about 2 hours needed, unless you are especially good with computers.) Brooks will provide a practical training when able to schedule it with you.

Licensing: you apply for a Eucharistic Minister license from the Bishop, with the endorsement of the Dean.

Contact person:  The Rev.Canon Dorothy R. Curry,revdrc@cox.net or  619-756-4412

Please do consider stepping into this role!