Ministers of Care

Ministers of Care are parishioners who bring communion to patients in Lincoln Park Hospital, Children's Memorial Hospital, and nursing homes, as well as to homebound parishioners. Ministers of Care help people nourish their spiritual lives when their physical health is at an ebb they need a connection with their Catholic faith and community.

Preparation Needed

The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a training program that serves as a springboard for beginning the ministry. The five-session course is free of charge and serves to train new ministers in both the practical and spiritual aspects of this essential ministry. A sixth session is conducted at Saint Clement to educate new Ministers of Care on the practicalities of the ministry as we carry it out here.

The full course is required of all new Ministers of Care. Those who have been trained at another parish may not need to participate in the whole course. The training course is necessary for certification to take part in this ministry, and it is also of great value in helping ministers reflect on the theology of suffering and of the eucharist.

Benefits

Ministers of Care act as an extension of the eucharistic table, enriching their own experience of the sacrament through witnessing the power of the eucharist with people in great need of spiritual nourishment.

Commitment Outline

The commitment to Ministry of Care is one year. At the end of each year, you will be asked if you wish to continue in the same assignment, shift your commitment to another area of the ministry, move to the substitute list, or step back from this ministry. The people that we serve are all within walking distance of Saint Clement Church.

Hospitals

• One visit per week or every other week on the same assigned day.
• A typical visit involves seven to 10 patients (and their families) and takes one to two hours.

Homebound

• Two visits per month are recommended; day and time are arranged between the minister and the homebound person. A minister is assigned to one or two homebound parishioners indefinitely.
• A typical visit is 30 minutes to one hour.

Nursing Homes

• One visit per week or every other week, on a weekday morning.
• This commitment also includes leading a short communion service with all residents in attendance. Training in how to do the communion service is provided.
• A typical visit is one or two hours.

Substitutes

We often need substitutes to serve in all areas of the ministry. If your schedule is unpredictable but you still wish to participate in this essential ministry, we welcome you to serve as a substitute.

For more information, please contact Fr. Ramil Fajardo at 773-281-0371.