People who are unable to attend Mass can ask for Communion at home which is an extension of the Communion Rite at Mass. The Communion minister prays, shares communion and visits.

We have an average of 50 funerals a year, usually at 12:00 noon or early evening. We need volunteers in any of the following areas:

• Hospitality people to greet and tidy up the pews
• Servers – adult, middle, or high school
• Proclaimers (readers)
• Eucharistic Ministers
• Music Ministers
• Preparing or serving food at lunches

The time after the loss of a loved one is difficult. Mourning begins when a person is terminally ill continues after the loss. Holy Spirit parish offers several support options:

• Individual guidance and prayer with a pastoral staff person
• Visits with a companion Care Minister
• All Souls Vespers each November 2
• Mourning to Morning: grief support sessions the five Tuesdays of October or April which gives information, shares experiences and prayer.

Care Ministers may choose to take turns and visit hospitals Sunday through Saturday. 
Two Care Ministers alternate weeks so that one visits the hospitals the first, third, and fifth week of the month and the other Care Minister visits on the second and fourth week of the month.

Just as a side note, when a person registers in a hospital, the in-take person asks: “What is your religion? What is the name of your parish? May we contact your parish and let them know you are here?” If you say “yes”, our visitors can access this information and visit you. In emergency situations, this step might be omitted, so please inform the parish if you would like visits. If there is a transfer to another health facility, please let us know. Due to confidentiality laws, hospitals cannot give us this information.

This provides food for occasions within the parish. Manna Ministry also provides food at agencies that help those who are poor. People can share from a list of various kinds of foods:

• Breads or muffins: date, nut, cranberry, lemon, pumpkin, fruit…
• Cookies or bars: chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, sugar, lemon…
• Entrees: lasagna, casseroles, pasta dishes…
• Soups: chili, chicken, beef, vegetable, broccoli cheese…
• Salads: 7-layer, jello, cabbage, pasta, fruit, 3-bean…
• Desserts: pies, cakes, tortes…

Let us know if you have a specialty and would like to share it.

Because we are always in need of prayer, we have a prayer shawl ministry as tangible evidence to those for whom we are praying.

The prayer shawl maker prays during the creation of the shawl while either knitting or crocheting in the comfort of their own home.

The prayer shawl will enfold, comfort, shelter and beautify.  

Prayer shawls are available for persons in health facilities, homebound, terminally ill and bereaved.

White baptismal shawls are knitted or crocheted for use during and after baptisms