Homebound Ministry: Sharing the Body of Christ and Fostering Community for All Parishioners

A missionary is someone who brings the Good News of Christ to another. When Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth in the Gospel of Luke, she became the first missionary, as she literally brought Jesus with her to share with her cousin. Elizabeth was filled with joy as she replied, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42).

For the volunteers involved in the Homebound Ministry, they are missionaries in our church as they bring the body of Christ to those who cannot come to receive Him at Mass. While the Homebound Ministry seeks to bring the Holy Eucharist to those who are unable to leave their homes to attend Mass, ministry members also visit with these people and keep them connected to the parish community.

“It is such an honor and truly humbling to be able to visit and bring them Holy Communion,” says Cathy Jones, who leads this ministry within the Catholic Community of Bartlesville. “It is such wonderful work to be God’s hands and feet. It is a privilege to do this.”

The ministry currently serves around 20 people with about 10 volunteers.

“We are always in need of more people to help because things are always fluctuating,” Cathy says. “Parishioners are homebound for many different reasons. Some are older and unable to leave their homes much due to ability. Some are in nursing homes or retirement facilities. Others have had surgery or some medical issues that have caused them to be homebound temporarily. It is the same with our ministers. Their ability to commit to the ministry will come and go as things happen in their lives. We can always use more people to be ministers.”

The ministry tries to maintain consistency with the same volunteer visiting each person. This way, relationships and friendships can develop.

“We have one lady who has not wanted us to come visit due to COVID,” Cathy says. “But the volunteer who has been visiting her for a long time has still called to keep in contact for the last two years.”

Being homebound can be lonely and isolating, but this ministry ensures that these people are still connected to the parish.

“We are a connection to the Catholic community that they cannot have in any other way,” Cathy says. “We want them to know that they are still a part of our community. We want them to know that they are not alone. Those that we visit are so very thankful and grateful for us. It is a ministry that you get so many beautiful fruits from.”

If you would like to volunteer or to request a minister to visit someone, please contact Cathy Jones at 308-654-3351.

Theresa Hampton distributes Communion to Risdon (Hank) Hankinson.