This weekend we reach the half-way mark of lent. We have come to the mid-point of our annual journey to Easter. It is time to rededicate ourselves to our lenten resolutions or to revive them, if they have been neglected. This week's Gospel account of the Prodigal Son encourages us to rely on God's mercy and forgiveness.

One important element of lent - and Paschal time in general - is to obey the Church's law of receiving Holy Communion during this Season (which runs from the first Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday - the Sunday after Pentecost). If necessary, this also can involve obeying the Church law to confess one's sins at least once a year.

It may seem strange for the Church to have a law requiring annual Holy Communion. This is a relic from the days when people did not receive Holy Communion often. The popes of the 20th century encouraged frequent Holy Communion. Pius XII changed the fasting laws, so that it became easier for people to receive at every Mass. For some, however, the law still has relevance. Shut-ins may not be able to get to church. It is important that family members arrange to have the Eucharist brought to them either by a priest or deacon or by an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. If the person has not had the opportunity to go to Confession, a priest should be called to provide that sacrament and the Anointing of the Sick.

Previously only a priest or deacon could bring Holy Communion to the sick. Now lay people may be commissioned for this ministry. They assist at Mass, when there are not sufficient priests present. And they bring Holy Communion to those who are confined to home or in convalescent institutions. It is expected that a minister to the homebound will be instructed on how to administer Holy Communion. Sister Celine gives this instruction and coordinates these ministers in St. Joseph Parish.

Because the priests sometimes do not know the persons requesting a host to bring to a homebound person, and because of the great care we must always have for the Holy Eucharist, we have come up with a method of identifying those commissioned as extraordinary ministers. A laminated card with a picture of the Holy Eucharist and an identification statement will be given to all extraordinary ministers to the homebound here at St. Joseph. Ministers will be instructed to show that card when they present themselves requesting hosts. Anyone who does not have this card will be asked to see the priest or Sister Celine after Mass, to ask that the Eucharist be given to them.

If you are commissioned in another parish or if you have someone newly confined to home and would like to bring that person Holy Communion, please see Sister Celine or one of the priests before Mass. In this way there will be no confusion when you come forward. It is also important to have a proper vessel (called a pyx) to carry the Eucharist.  Sister can provide one. The minister should go to the homebound person immediately after Mass, so that there is no delay in bringing Holy Communion, and so that the Eucharist is not brought to inappropriate places on the way.

The Holy Eucharist is our greatest treasure. May we always treat it with care and reverence. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.