Homebound Visitation

St. Columba Homebound Visitation Ministry follows the overall mission and vision of St Columba Church:
                            

Through African American traditions, We are moved to serve.

Homebound Visitation Ministry Members are made of Ordained Clergy and Lay Members of St Columba Church.

Members show a willingness to represent the Roman Catholic Faith Community in the Eucharist.

All members recieve training in Eucharist to the Homebound and are Certified in Safe Enviornment through the Diocese of Oakland.

Individuals interested in participating in St Columba Homebound Ministry please contact
Dr. Marianela Carter:  [email protected]

Prayer for Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you. 

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.

Prayer to St Martin De Porres (Patron Saint for the Sick)

To you Saint Martin de Porres we prayerfully lift up our hearts filled with serene confidence and devotion.

Mindful of your unbounded and helpful charity to all levels of society and also of your meekness and humility of heart, we offer our petitions to you.

Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your solicitous and generous intercession; show to the people of every race and every color the paths of unity and of justice; implore from our Father in heaven the coming of his kingdom, so that through mutual benevolence in God men may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life.

Amen.

Homebound Caregiving Resources

Sisters of Mercy    https://www.sistersofmercy.org
Mercy Retirement Center     https://www.eldercarealliance.org
Visiting Angels  (limited areas within bay area) https://www.visitingangels.com

Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministry to the Sick
 

General Qualifications
 Special care needs to be taken in the identification, selection, preparation and commissioning of lay pastoral visitors to the sick and homebound. Some are called to this ministry; others are not. The following information is intended to assist parish and ministry leaders in the discernment of that call with those who offer themselves.
QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE AS AN EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER
Again, it is important that those individuals selected to serve as lay pastoral visitors be chosen carefully. The instruction Immensae Caritatis describes the fundamental qualifications:
The faithful who are special ministers of communion must be persons whose good qualities of Christian life, faith, and morals recommend them. Let them strive to be worthy of this great office, foster their own devotion to the Eucharist, and show an example to the rest of the faithful by their own devotion and reverence toward the most august sacrament of the altar. No one is to be chosen whose appointment the faithful might find disquieting.
In the Diocese of Oakland, the following norms also apply to Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who will visit the sick and homebound:
 Living a life in harmony with the teachings of Christ and of the Church  If married, must be in a valid marriage according to Church law,
 Must have received all the sacraments of Initiation, and
 Must be at least 21 years of age.
Additional general requirements to serve as an EMHC’s with the sick and homebound can include the following. Requirements are different from personal characteristics and skills, which are taken up in a separate section below.
Foremost, evidence of a life of service in following Christ, e.g., are catechized and willing to adhere to the following requirements set forth by the diocese and that of the parish in which they volunteer:
 A Catholic in good standing
 A registered and active participant in local parish faith community
 Has completed Safe Environment Training as outlined by diocesan policy
 Is available during appropriate time in order to actively participate in the ministry
 Has reliable transportation and auto insurance as may be required by the parish
 Willing to attend regular training / meetings at the parish
 Has been trained in current trends in the Church regarding ministry of care
 Willing to attend parish retreats
 Trained in both the basic EMHC procedures and those for visits to the sick and homebound  Willing to participate in ongoing formation and certification
 

Discernment Questions for the Homebound Minister, prepared by Diocese of Oakland:

DISCERNMENT FOR THE PASTORAL CARE VOLUNTEER
The prior experiences, feelings, fears, and hopes, and also a basic understanding of the area in which a person plans to volunteer, are an integral part of a discernment process. Initial dialogue is centered on discerning a call and also on integrating basic responsibilities and expectations into a person’s ability to respond to that call.
Am I Being Called? Reflection questions for a lay pastoral volunteer prior to an interview:

•   How do I know this is the ministry for me?
•   How do I feel about undertaking special training for this ministry?
•   Do I have particular feelings about visiting people in private homes, hospitals, care facilities or
  nursing homes? Is there an area where I feel I cannot serve?
•   Can I work with the varying ages, the children, families of the ill or the elders of our faith
  communities whom I will encounter in this ministry?
•   How much time am I prepared to dedicate to visiting the sick and homebound?
•   In what way have I experienced Christ’s healing power?
•   What does it mean for me to follow and serve Christ?

Please pray on the items. 
Taken from the "Whole Person Care Initiative Document" through the Diocese of Oakland