The Gift of Your Time

By Cathie Lower, Pastoral Care of the Sick Ministry

I started taking Holy Eucharist to the homebound and hospitalized during Covid-19, in 2020. It was a scary time for volunteers to go into homes and the hospital to distribute Holy Communion. I decided to put my own anxieties aside and be a disciple of Christ for others.

When St. Max decided to livestream Masses, it was the most amazing ministry we could have begun. People were able to virtually participate in Mass at our very own place of worship.  Then, we began bringing communion directly from daily Masses. People felt very fulfilled by seeing their own community, hearing the same homily, participating in St. Max’s everyday worship, and being able to receive the Body of Christ.

I witness many people who are struggling with illness, isolation and suffering every day. Through ministering to the homebound and hospitalized, the sick feel loved and cared for. We get to be a part of that St. Max embrace that they cannot physically get during their time of isolation.

Gratitude is what I, in turn, receive when I see the smile - or tear - it brings as one utters Amen as I place Blessed Jesus on their tongue or into their hands. It means so much to them and it means so much to me!

It feels good to be able to “walk in someone else’s shoes;” even if only for 10 minutes. Sometimes you may feel moved to stay a bit longer and learn a little more about what someone is going through. When you give the gift of your time, you are rewarded tenfold! I firmly believe that.

I will continue to visit the sick, hospitalized and homebound and hope you will join me in this necessary ministry to connect all the members of our faith community! To learn more about this ministry, click here.