St. Mary’s Eucharistic Ministers To The Sick
If you are homebound and wish to be visited by a Eucharistic Minister to the Sick, or if you would like to volunteer to become a Minister to the Sick, contact:
Carol Thornton
Director of Pastoral Care & Community Ministry
(408) 354-4061 ext 121
cthornton@stmaryslg.org
Overview
St. Mary’s Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick volunteer to bring communion to a Catholic in our community who is too sick to come to church. Our volunteers share their faith, compassion, and the support of the parish community, to those in our parish who are sick.
We are called by baptism to be Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick – to bring the comfort of Christ in the form of the Eucharist to those who cannot come to church.
- The call to minister to the sick flows from our Baptism.
- Ordained and lay, together we are the Body of Christ. We are called by Christ as apostles of church. Jesus says to all of us, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21).
- We bring the Church to people who cannot physically come to church. In this way, the sick and homebound are united to the Body of Christ present at St. Mary’s community. We continue the healing and compassionate ministry of Jesus, as members of His Body. It is always in Jesus Name that we visit.
- This is not a private but a public act of representing the Church as an institution and St. Mary’s as a parish.
- Our call as Ministers to the Sick is to be present to the patients as they attempt to find God in their life situation, by listening to them.
- Christian presence is the gift we bring to the sick. Confidentiality, respect of the patient, and acceptance of them for who and where they are, are the gifts inherent in this presence.
Where and when does the ministry take place?
- Established times at nursing homes and assisted living facilities once a week. More flexible times at residential facilities and private homes.
What is the time commitment and for how long?
Once a week for one to two hours.
Training provided:
St. Mary’s Director of Pastoral Care and Community Ministry provides training and the volunteer also is mentored by experienced Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick.
Qualifications necessary:
- The volunteer needs to be a baptized Catholic and a member of St. Mary’s Parish who participates in weekly mass, communion services, and personal prayer.
- We practice the art of listening and understanding with the attitude of love and respect when we visit.
- We accept people where they are and not how we think they should be. Listen to their story and try not to “fix” them.
- The Diocese of San Jose requires that all volunteers and staff who work with children and vulnerable adults be fingerprinted as a prerequisite to this ministry. St. Mary’s Pastoral Ministry Office sets up and appointment for each volunteer to be fingerprinted.
Where do St. Mary’s Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick Serve?
We visit people in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care homes, and private homes in Los Gatos within the parish boundaries designated by the Diocese of San Jose.
Los Gatos Commons, 445 Alberto Way
Mass - 2nd Tuesday of Month at 11 a.m. (Clubhouse)
Currently covered on as needed basis by individual request
Vasona Creek, 16412 Los Gatos Blvd.
Mass - 3rd Tuesday of Month, 10:30 a.m.
Worship, Rosary & Bedside visits - Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Al Chavez, Leader
Vincent Seid
Andy Byrnes
David Dinno
Helen Williams
Maggie Sheradin
Rick DiNapoli
Lisi Masoni
Terraces of Los Gatos, 800 Blossom Hill Road (2nd floor Lodge)
Mass - 4th Tuesday of Month at 11 a.m. (Assembly Room)
Scripture/Prayer - Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Therese McNeil
Matthew BrothersSunday Communion Visits
Lisi Masoni
Valerie Lozowicki
Steve Fertitta
Terrie Silvestre
Los Gatos Meadows, 110 Wood Road, Los Gatos
Mass - 3rd Wednesday of Month at 11:00 a.m. (Chapel)
Valerie Beaupre’ (every Sunday)
Crestwood Care Home, 94 Hernandez Ave. Los Gatos
Bill Baumel
Cedar Creek Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Center
15245 National Ave, Los Gatos
Heather Quint
Jim Moreton
R&L Residential Care Home
324 Los Gatos Boulevard, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Andy Byrne
Oak Meadow Convalescent Hospital
350 DeSoto Drive (off National Avenue, behind Mission Oaks Hospital) Los Gatos, CA 95032
Emma Abela
Good Samaritan Hospital, 2425 Samaritan Drive, San Jose, CA 95124
Charlie Splaine, Leader
MaryAnn Edwards
Claire Dinno
Susan Triplett
Home Visits
Margaret Norris
Jill Fordyce
Esther Orsi
Marcia Green
Denise and Marie Antonowitz