SSVP Nursing Home Visits

1. Distributing Holy Communion Program
2. Delivering Gifts at Christmas and Easter Program

Visiting Nursing Homes to Distribute Holy Communion Program:

For Vincentians wishing to visit Nursing Homes to distribute Holy Communion and who are currently not Eucharistic Ministers they must initially identify all of the Nursing Homes located in their community.

It is then necessary to contact their Parish Priest to discuss the possibility of Vincentians visiting these Nursing Homes for the purpose of distributing Holy Communion to the Catholic residents.

If your Parish Priest agrees with this concept then establish with the Parish Priest if other groups in the Parish are already distributing Holy Communion and to which Nursing Homes.

If there are Nursing Home Catholic Residents in residences not currently receiving Holy Communion then get the agreement of your Parish Priest for Vincentians to become Eucharistic Ministers and receive the necessary training and initiation in order to do so. The Parish Priests training will include ‘The Rite of Holy Communion to the sick’ and maybe include guidelines for visiting the sick in hospitals.

It must be noted that when Vincentians become Eucharistic Ministers they now become subject to complying with the requirements of the Diocese of London ‘Called, Gifted and Sent’ Resource Manual under the authority of the Parish Priest.

The SSVP Eucharistic Ministers now contact the Nursing Home Director of Patient Care to seek agreement for distribution of Holy Communion to the Catholic Residents.

Once the Director of Patient Care is in agreement it is then necessary to obtain a list of the Residents names and room numbers so each Resident can be interviewed to ascertain if they are Catholic and wish to receive Holy Communion from Vincentian Eucharistic Ministers.

When it has been established that Residents wish to receive Holy Communion then a schedule must be agreed with the Director of Patient Care when it is acceptable to distribute Holy Communion to their Residents.

The Vincentian Eucharistic Ministers must now reach agreement with their Parish Priest when and how they can obtain the Consecrated Hosts from the Church Tabernacle as it is absolutely necessary for the Hosts to be immediately distributed to the Nursing Home Residents because once the Consecrated Hosts have been removed from the Tabernacle it is not acceptable to delay distribution for any reason.

It is also noted that Eucharistic Ministers must visit the Nursing Homes in pairs and use hand sanitizer before attending each communicant.

When distributing Holy Communion to Catholic Residents the ‘Rite of Holy Communion of the Sick’ (attached pdf files) is followed (or similar as this could vary between Parishes).

For those Catholic Residents not receiving or are unable to receive Holy Communion then prayers are offered and a final blessing given such as “ The Lord bless You and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! “.

If at all possible it is good practice to distribute copies of the latest Parish Bulletin to the Catholic Residents as this gives them a feeling of inclusion in the Parish.

As part of this program we also visit the Norfolk General Hospital once every month and this is carried out in accordance with the attached instruction sheet – Serving at Norfolk General Hospital

Christmas and Easter Gifts Program::

For Vincentians wishing to visit Nursing Homes to distribute Christmas and Easter gifts they must first obtain permission from their SSVP Conference and then it is necessary to identify all of the Nursing Homes located in their community.

The Vincentians must then communicate with each of the Directors of Patient Care to establish the number of Catholic and non-Catholic Residents.

It is then necessary to obtain the approval of your SSVP Conference on the number of Nursing Home Residents they will support as there is a considerable cost to supplying the various gifts at both Christmas and Easter.

The Christmas and Easter Spiritual Cards must be ordered at least 6 weeks before the actual feast days from a Religious Society e.g. Passionate Missionaries who specifically include a Novena of Mass Offerings.

Contact the Nursing Home Hair Stylist with a list of the names of the residents who are to receive a voucher for a free hair set and cut at Christmas and arrange payment to the Home Hair Stylist.

At Christmas we give the Spiritual Christmas Cards to each Catholic Resident and the Free Hair Set and Cut Vouchers are placed in the cards ( the free hair set and cut is very much appreciated ) and stay for a little chat with each of them.

At Easter we give the Spiritual Easter Cards and Palm Crosses for each Catholic Resident and stay for a little chat with them.

The Easter Palm Crosses are ordered from ’Blais Church and Religious Supply’ in Stoney Creek.

If at all possible it is good practice to distribute copies of the latest Parish Bulletin to the Catholic Residents as this gives them a feeling of inclusion in the Parish.

With respect to the Catholic sick/shut-ins (home bound) for Easter we also purchase , wrap and supply shortbread cookies or chocolates to our Parish Office . Then the various Parish Eucharistic Ministers who visit the home bound for Easter to distribute Holy Communion also give a gift of shortbread or chocolates.

Notes:
Each of the above programs can be implemented on its own or jointly, however, in some Conferences, such as ours, we combine the distribution of Holy Communion Program with Gift Giving Program as this simplifies the gift program as we currently only supply gifts to Catholic Residents. It is noted that gifts are given to all Catholic residents even if they do not receive Holy Communion.

Currently our Conference services three Nursing Homes, our local Hospital and the Home Bound in our Parish.

Our Vincentians, when acting as Eucharistic Ministers in Nursing Homes and attending the sick in Hospitals, feel a sense of well being because they are serving the most vulnerable in their community who, without their help, would not be able to receive the Lord in Holy Communion which maybe the last thing they do before meeting their Last Judgement.

Serving at Norfolk General Hospital

1. At the end of Holy Mass, those bringing Holy Communion to the sick will be called forward. Obtain your pyx from the Priest. You will have placed your pyx with the sacred vessels as per (The Instructions for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the sick Attending Holy Mass). Immediately following the dismissal go directly to the hospital. Consecrated Hosts must never be taken home for later use. Your attention to the hospitalized directly after Holy Mass symbolizes their connection to the Parish.
   
   
2. Take along a dozen Church Bulletins. Offering a Parish Bulletin is a way to help those you visit feel connected with the Parish.
   
   
3. At the hospital consult the ‘Religion File’ kept at the switchboard to obtain the names of all Catholics admitted to the hospital. Check both the ‘Catholic’ page and the ‘Unknown Religion ‘ page.
   
   
4. Check in at the Nursing Station when you enter a Ward.
   
   
5. Visit each person you have identified as Catholic. In most instances you will quickly be able to determine whether the person should be offered Holy Communion i.e. a practicing Catholic in a state of grace and disposed to receive. If in doubt then Holy Communion should not be offered. Be aware that even if the individual is unknown to you, they might be a devout Catholic.
   
   
6. For those who will not be receiving Holy Communion, offer to pray with the individual and give the individual a blessing such as ‘The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!’
   
   
7. Use hand sanitizer before attending to each communicant.
   
   
8. Follow the ‘Right of Holy Communion to the Sick’ as instructed by the Parish Priest. Note that some parts of the rite are optional. This gives flexibility, so use judgement.
   
   
9. Follow ‘A Guide for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick’ as instructed by the Parish Priest.
   
   
10. Until you become familiar with those you visit, check with the Hospital Staff before administering Holy Communion. Some individuals may be on a pureed diet; some may only be able to consume a small portion of the Host. Have water available to assist with swallowing. For those who cannot take food by mouth spiritual communion can be offered: ‘Receive The Lord Jesus In Your Heart’
    
    
11. Please be attentive to the signs on the room doors. This is where notices will be posted if there is risk of infection. Another clue is the presence of gowns and gloves outside the doors of such patients.