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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1356 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 02:40 pm |
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Please help me! I am finally to begin delivering Holy Communion to patients in the hospital by myself. I have done it with others, always with someone more experienced than myself. Now I will begin next week going one day every other week. It's a BIG hospital! I feel so small and unworthy and incompetent. I know I feel called to visit the sick and talk with them and offer prayer with them. I want to do this but I am very afraid at the same time. Any words of wisdom on this would be appreciated. 
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JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 754 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 03:57 pm |
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Credo Catholic wrote: I feel so small and unworthy and incompetent.
I believe that this is exactly what one should feel who is given such an important job. When you feel worthy of this, then I'd start to worry... God has given you this task and He will give you the grace to complete it. Go in His power and be glad to be His hands and feet. How wonderful for you!
Jill
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"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret." Ps 139
"Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men." Ps 140
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BettyBoopToo
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 538 |
| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 04:16 am |
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Credo Catholic wrote: Please help me! I am finally to begin delivering Holy Communion to patients in the hospital by myself. I have done it with others, always with someone more experienced than myself. Now I will begin next week going one day every other week. It's a BIG hospital! I feel so small and unworthy and incompetent. I know I feel called to visit the sick and talk with them and offer prayer with them. I want to do this but I am very afraid at the same time. Any words of wisdom on this would be appreciated.
Marsha
What a blessing the lord has given you. I understand your nervousness and feeling's of incompetence. But your going to do great!
I have a very dear sister inlaw that goes to the nursing homes once a week to deliver communion, visit and pray. she's been doing this for about 4 yrs now and has grown to just love the opportunity and cherish each and every moment she spends with these dear people.
She just shared with me not long ago, that she never has gotten used to going up to the tabernacle and filling her pix with the consecrated host. Every time she has to take care of it, she said she shakes uncontrollably and feels like she may faint or pass out. She also said that she to is overwhelmed with feelings of inadaquicy, unworthyness and much of what your going through. At first she thought that it would pass and she would be more comfortable. After 4 yrs, she's still shaking , so just know that your not alone in your feelings.
I guess the reason that she continues to be a bit stressed at approaching the Lord in such a personal manner as carrying him with her, it that He is still the all knowing and all powerful God, and she is still a mere human being.
I am excited for you and your new position. Congratulations! I'm just certain that the Lord is so happy that your going to bring him to those that are unable to get to mass them selves. Considering that I have had to at times, have the Blessed Sacrament brought to me. I just wanted to thank you for doing this for all the people at the hospital. You just don't know how important it is to them and for them to receive Our Lord when they are ill or nearing death. I always am so thankful when father or my sil has brought me the lord when I've not been able to attend mass.
I cannot wait to hear what you thought of your new job. May God Bless you for doing this.
Betty
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Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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BodRod
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 827 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 10:41 am |
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BettyBoopToo wrote: Every time she has to take care of it, she said she shakes uncontrollably and feels like she may faint or pass out.
That is interesting. I have just the opposite feeling. When I open the tabernacle to fill my pix, I feel peaceful and tranquil. However, I don't serve in the hospital but rather I take the Host to shut-ins.
Come to think about it, before I was a member, in fact, before I was in RCIA, I visited the church a couple of times and I remember feeling very peaceful in the corner of the church where they had a red colored candle light. I went back again later to just sit there, think and relax. I did not know then that the box in the corner, by the red candle, held the Host, I just knew that that corner of the church was very comfortable.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1356 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 02:47 pm |
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| Thank you all for your encouraging words. It is an overwhelming feeling to approach the tabernacle that way. I would have been able to fill the pyx at daily mass, however we have had to cancel those for awhile. So, I will have to go to the church office and get the key, open the tabernacle and retrieve the Blessed Sacrament, then return the key to the office before I even leave for the hospital! Our church has ONE key to the tabernacle. ONE! Once a visiting priest celebrated a funeral mass and left with the key. They had to find him and get it back!
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Lisa
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Kennerdell, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 41 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lifefime Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 01:48 am |
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Hi Marsha!
What a wonderful Blessing to be able to give Jesus to others! Talk about spreading the Word! While training to be Eucharistic Ministers, our Priest told us that when we "feed the hungry" we are doing the will of God! What a wonderful thought! And, a fellow Eucharistic Minister told me that before she touches the Eucharist, she prays to St. Michael the Archangel to be her hands, to protect the Precious Body and Blood of Christ entrusted to her care. These are two thoughts that I cling to when I become overwhelmed with the responsibility I am entrusted with! May God bless YOU in this beautiful and rewarding ministry!!
Lisa
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Don't be afraid to try something new! Professionals built the Titanic, and Amateur built the ARK!
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1356 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2007 06:27 pm |
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| Yesterday I went on sort of a dry run. I didn't go to the tabernacle, but went to the pastoral care office and got familiar again with the "list" they update of catholics who are inpatient (not impatient! well, maybe impatient) anyway, I wanted to get familiar with the rooms and locations because due to the new privacy regulations, patients' names are no longer posted outside their doors, and I don't want to go waltzing in on someone without them being catholic! I visited with three patients and just talked for a few minutes to ask how they were. One lady was so sweet, I read a prayer for healing to her, and she was so glad I came in. She said I made her day. I thought later, she had made mine, because I was so nervous about going by myself but she put me at ease. One man was very grumpy, and I know he was in a lot of discomfort. After the visits I went downstairs to the chapel and said a rosary for them and for all the patients. I'm going to like doing this once I get past the fear of handling the Blessed Sacrament!
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Lisa
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Kennerdell, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 41 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lifefime Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Oct 4th, 2007 12:53 am |
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Congratulations Marsha!
What a wonderful story! After the day I had, it was truly a blessing reading your words - and I thank you for that!
It is truly amazing what the Holy Spirit will do in us when only we open the door and give Him the chance, when our hearts are truly open to this gift!
Good for you! May God continue to bless you in this beautiful and special ministry!!
Lisa
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Don't be afraid to try something new! Professionals built the Titanic, and Amateur built the ARK!
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5310 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Oct 4th, 2007 01:54 pm |
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Credo Catholic wrote: I'm going to like doing this once I get past the fear of handling the Blessed Sacrament!
It is a special ministry. What they want more than anything else is your time.
I might suggest buying a pack of holy cards to give to them. You can either get specific saints for various ailments, or St. Joseph or St. Jude, Bl. Teresa, John Paul II, St. Philomena, etc. to leave with them as a reminder.
Another good card is one of St. Michael the Archangel with the prayer on the back. Satan has a tendency to go after us in our weakness, so protection from St. Michael is always useful. Our guardian angels are also good protectors.
If you want something more generically Christian, you could get something with "Footprints" or a similar poem. St. Joseph is particularly good for those who are dying, since he is the patron of a happy death. (I used to give St. Joseph to everyone, since we are all "dying" from the moment of our conception until we take our last breath.)
The cards generally cost about a quarter but you can get them much cheaper in bulk. I was getting a pack of 100 from a local religious store for about $8.75, and I could have gotten them cheaper online.
It is a wonderful ministry and much appreciated, but some people really need rest more than anything else so be sensitive not to overstay your welcome. Then again, some people will be happy to have you stay all day!
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1203 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Oct 4th, 2007 04:53 pm |
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Marsha, I knew you would be great!
You are right. The blessings flow in both directions.
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"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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BettyBoopToo
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 538 |
| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Oct 6th, 2007 01:03 am |
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Credo Catholic wrote: Yesterday I went on sort of a dry run. I didn't go to the tabernacle, but went to the pastoral care office and got familiar again with the "list" they update of catholics who are inpatient (not impatient! well, maybe impatient) anyway, I wanted to get familiar with the rooms and locations because due to the new privacy regulations, patients' names are no longer posted outside their doors, and I don't want to go waltzing in on someone without them being catholic! I visited with three patients and just talked for a few minutes to ask how they were. One lady was so sweet, I read a prayer for healing to her, and she was so glad I came in. She said I made her day. I thought later, she had made mine, because I was so nervous about going by myself but she put me at ease. One man was very grumpy, and I know he was in a lot of discomfort. After the visits I went downstairs to the chapel and said a rosary for them and for all the patients. I'm going to like doing this once I get past the fear of handling the Blessed Sacrament!
Marsha
I'm so happy that you are participating in this very important ministry. I just knew that you would be wonderful for the job.
God Bless and may his peace be with you always, as you carry out his duty for you.
Thankyou for sharing
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1356 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Oct 6th, 2007 02:01 am |
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| Thanks Betty and Phoebe! Your encouragement gives me the ability to go forth, and conquer these shaky knees!:?
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