Private Reception of Holy Communion

The annual “Easter Duty” of Catholics to receive the Eucharist once per year — and preferably during Eastertime — is not binding this year, due to restricted public Masses. 

As such, Catholics have no obligation to receive Holy Communion or attend Mass while the pandemic persists, and in particular until the Archbishop lifts the dispensation.
 
That said, we know that there is a great hunger for the Eucharist in our parish, and rightfully so. It is for that reason, along with a confidence in our ability to do so safely, that we are now offering Communion privately at the front door of the parish rectory, one household at a time.
 

***Beginning July 14, we are no longer requiring sign-ups for private Communion at the rectory front door (324 S. Prior Ave.) Registered parishioners are now welcome to simply show up at 4:30pm on Tuesday or Friday (not Wednesday) to receive Holy Communion.  A short Communion service will begin promptly at 4:30pm, followed by individual distribution of Communion.***

This opportunity is intended particularly for parishioners who cannot or choose not to come to Mass now that limited public liturgies resumed on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

A household should come to the front steps of the rectory (324 Prior Ave. S. — pictured at right) at 4:30 P.M. on Tuesday or Friday with their noses and mouths covered.

If another household is still at the door, please wait your turn on the sidewalk, maintaining at least six feet of space around you. When it is your household’s turn, come forward to the base of the rectory front steps. 
 
When it is time to receive Communion, each member of the household should go up the steps, one at a time, with their noses and mouths covered.

The priest will extend Jesus in the Eucharist through the door opening and say “The Body of Christ.” Please reply “amen,” receive Communion on the hand, and descend the steps. The Communicant may then remove his or her face covering to receive the host. If there are other people on the sidewalk, the Communicant should again cover his or her nose and mouth after receiving.

The priest will then purify and disinfect the paten and call forward the next member of the household. He will then close with a prayer and blessing from behind the glass door.

If you are aware of any mortal sins you have committed since your last Confession, receive the sacrament of Reconciliation — which is now offered from 9-10am on Saturday and Sunday at the same rectory front door — before receiving Communion.
 
Communicants must also be in doctrinal communion with the Catholic Church, i.e. assent to her core authentic teachings. (Wondering what that means? Start with the creeds. Then crack open the Catechism and/or call a priest!) 

Fast for at least an hour from food or beverage (except water) before receiving. You might consider viewing a live-streamed Mass or praying a rosary to prepare. Finally, please wash your hands well immediately before arriving. Feel free to use the restroom in Steiner Hall. 


Thank you for your patience as we devised a safe and practical plan for sacramental distribution of Holy Communion. And let us all pray together for the time to come quickly when we will all be able to receive the Eucharist together again under one roof.