Overview
St. Nicholas and St. William Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick Volunteers bring communion to a Catholic in our community who is too sick to come to church. Our volunteers share their faith, compassion, and the support of the parish community, to those in our parish who are sick.
We are called by baptism to be Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick – to bring the comfort of Christ in the form of the Eucharist to those who cannot come to church.
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- The call to minister to the sick flows from our Baptism.
- Ordained and lay, together we are the Body of Christ. We are called by Christ as apostles of church. Jesus says to all of us, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21).
- We bring the Church to people who cannot physically come to church. In this way, the sick and homebound are united to the Body of Christ present at St. Nicholas and St. William community. We continue the healing and compassionate ministry of Jesus, as members of His Body. It is always in Jesus Name that we visit.
- This is not a private but a public act of representing the Church as an institution and St. Nicholas and St. William as a parish.
- Our call as Ministers to the Sick is to be present to the patients as they attempt to find God in their life situation, by listening to them.
- Christian presence is the gift we bring to the sick. Confidentiality, respect of the patient, and acceptance of them for who and where they are, are the gifts inherent in this presence.
Where and when does the ministry take place?
Established times at nursing homes and assisted living facilities once a week or twice a month. More flexible times at residential facilities and private homes.
What is the time commitment and for how long?
Once a week or twice a month for one to two hours.
Training provided
We provide training and the volunteer also is mentored by experienced Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick.
Qualifications necessary
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- Volunteers need to be baptized Catholic and a member of St. Nicholas or St. William Parish who participates in weekly mass and personal prayer.
- Volunteers practice the art of listening and understanding with the attitude of love and respect when we visit.
- Volunteers accept people where they are and not how we think they should be. Listen to their story and try not to “fix” them.
- The Diocese of San Jose requires that all volunteers and staff who work with children and vulnerable adults be fingerprinted and in full compliance with Safe Environment policy as a prerequisite to this ministry. Our parish office sets up an appointment for each volunteer to be fingerprinted.
If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry, or just have questions regarding this ministry, please contact the parish office at 650-948-2158.