Communion Distribution - Bethesda North Hospital

We take Holy Communion to Catholics during their hospital stay.
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Our Privilege and Our Task

Serving as a Lay Minister of the Eucharist is a great privilege. Pope Paul VI put it this way:

“The person appointed for this task must be duly instructed and should distinguish himself or herself by Christian life, faith, and morals, striving to be worthy of this great office, cultivating devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and acting as an example to the other faithful by piety and reverence for this most holy sacrament of the altar. Let no one be chosen whose selection may cause scandal among the faithful.”

Spirituality of the Ministry

At Bethesda North Hospital each Friday at 11:15 a.m., the bread is consecrated. Each Eucharist is a new Incarnation as God “takes flesh” among His people to strengthen and nourish them. God is truly present in the Eucharist, and receiving Holy Communion is the closest we will get to Him before we meet God face to face in the life to come.

There is no more perfect model for a Lay Eucharistic Minister than Mary. Mary carried the Body of Christ for 9 months, and brought Him to the world as a gift. The Eucharist you will distribute is sign and symbol of this beautiful act of love. Mary was the God Bearer, something all baptized Christians are called to be. And God chose Mary for her humility and purity, the most important characteristics for a good Lay Eucharistic Minister.

Hospital Ministry

The privilege of distributing the Eucharist to Catholic patients at Bethesda offers us a very real, tangible chance to practice what Our Lord asks of us in scripture.

Is anyone among you sick? … Pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.
— James 5:14, 16

Not every patient will be physically healed in the hospital, yet our experience as hospital ministers has shown us again and again the power of Christ's presence both in his Body and Blood and in our own prayers and compassionate presence among the sick.

How to Become a Bethesda North Distributor

  1. Complete the Good Shepherd Eucharist Ministry Form (GSEM) and make a copy for Bethesda.
  2. Complete Lay Eucharistic Minister Training at Good Shepherd.
  3. Register with the Bethesda North Volunteer Office, test for TB and Rubella, and acquire a volunteer badge for floor access.
  4. Complete two hours of on-site orientation with one of the veteran distributors.
  5. Get scheduled.

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