CHANGES TO THE HOMEBOUND MINISTRY

Our parish’s Homebound Ministry is in need of many volunteers who are willing to literally bring Jesus to our homebound.  Our Homebound Ministry consists of bringing Jesus in the Eucharist to fellow parishioners living in their private homes, as well as all Catholic residents of four area nursing homes (Amoroso on Carol Rd, Autumn House on E Market St, Kingston Court Nursing & Rehab, and Pleasant Acres). 

We currently have 19 volunteers serving 43 known homebound parishioners, and 19 volunteers serving an additional 90 Catholic residents in the nursing homes.  (Some volunteers serve in both capacities.)  New requests for Home Communion are received in the parish office on a weekly basis, and we know there are many parishioners who have been longing to join the list.

Will you consider being one who will bring Jesus to someone who is otherwise unable to receive Him?  If yes, the first step is to meet with Fr. Sahd who will endorse your eligibility to become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC).  The next step will be to attend a diocesan EMHC training session.  Training sessions are offered regularly throughout the diocese and often right here at St. Joe’s.  Upon successful completion of the training session, you will become mandated by the Bishop of Harrisburg to serve in this most impactful role of being the vehicle for distributing Jesus Himself to others.

EMHC’s must be at least in their senior year of high school, known for a good Catholic manner of living and for service to the parish and the community. The mandate of the Bishop continues in force for five years or until decided otherwise by the pastor, or the EMHC volunteer. 

For more information about the Homebound Ministry, please contact the ministry coordinator, Binky Theodore in the parish office at [email protected] or 717-755-7503, ext 250.

ALSO CALLING ALL HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS OF SJY!  If you are unable to commune with us in the Mass each weekend, please let us know of your desire to receive the Eucharist in your home.  Simply call the parish office and we will be happy to bring Jesus to you!