Holy Communion Services During Pandemic

A household should come to the School Plaza (pictured at right across from the Lannan Center, which is 1900 Wellesley Ave.) at 4:00 PM on Tuesday or Friday in a car or on foot, maintaining six feet from other households, with their noses and mouths covered.

Those in cars can tune in to 89.5FM on their radio to hear the prayers of the service, and the clergy will then distribute Communion to people on foot, and to those in cars through their car window.

The priest will extend Jesus in the Eucharist and say “The Body of Christ.” Please reply “amen,” receive Communion on the hand, and either step to the side or wait until the priest moves away. The Communicant may then remove his or her face covering to receive the host. If there are other households nearby, the Communicant should again cover his or her nose and mouth after receiving.

If you are aware of any mortal sins you have committed since your last Confession, receive the sacrament of Reconciliation 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.

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. 

For the winter months, we will continue our outdoor Holy Communion services on Tuesdays and Fridays for those who cannot or choose not to come to Mass in person during the ongoing pandemic. We are moving the time and place, however to 4:00 PM on the School Plaza, beginning Friday, November 6.

This allows participants to remain in their cars in the drive-through loop or to stand outside on the shoveled plaza if they choose to walk.

The annual “Easter Duty” of Catholics to receive the Eucharist once per year — and preferably during Eastertime — is not binding 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 outside.

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.

If you are unable to leave your home or come to the plaza, contact Nancy Shatek-Suek at (651) 696-5444 or nshatek-suek@nativitystpaul.org and we’ll come to you!