THE HOSPITAL COMMUNION MINISTRY: Faithfully Bringing Christ to Those in Need

When someone is hospitalized for any amount of time, there are many difficulties and challenges they may encounter. For Catholic patients, there is the difficult obstacle of not being able to attend Mass. But thanks to the Hospital Communion Ministry here at St. Peter, Catholic patients have the opportunity to receive the Eucharist. “If you have ever been in the hospital, you realize the importance of receiving the Eucharist on a daily basis,” says Rebecca Knuffman, parish nurse of St. Peter. Rebecca has been involved with this ministry since she began her role as our parish nurse in June 2022. The hospital chaplains are also involved, along with the EMHC volunteers from local Catholic parishes. Made up of Extraordinary Ministers who volunteer their time to distribute Holy Communion, the Hospital Communion Ministry serves Catholic patients at Blessing Hospital.

Being separated from the congregation can be especially difficult for faithful Catholics. The opportunity to receive Communion is of utmost importance for this very reason.

“It is important to ensure that those in the hospital are able to receive the Eucharist,” Rebecca says. “Holy Communion remedies the patient’s feeling of separation from the Church by connecting them to the Body of Christ.”

The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. As Catholics, we believe God can heal even the most impossible of circumstances and illnesses. Even if there is not a full recovery or healing, however, the Eucharist still provides a sense of comfort as it is Jesus Himself coming to the recipients.

“People look to receive Holy Communion when they are in such a vulnerable state as in illness,” Rebecca says. “Because there are not enough Eucharistic Ministers from our local parishes, this important ministry is not able to take place each day.”

While the patients certainly benefit from this service, members themselves also share in the blessings and fruits that the ministry yields.

“Members have grown spiritually through the ministry by sharing in the healing presence of God with those they minister to,” says Rebecca. “This experience forms a bond in faith, hope and love with those they serve.”

At present, there is an urgent need for new members to join this important ministry.

“Because of the experience with COVID, the hospital has not recovered from the effects that this infection has caused,” Rebecca says. “Many hospital Communion ministers have not returned. This makes for an immediate need for EMHC volunteers to serve at Blessing Hospital.”

If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Prudence Bickhaus Martin, Volunteer Services Chaplaincy Coordinator at Blessing Hospital, at 217-223-8400, ext. 6825.