The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly and fully present in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist. Reverence for Holy Communion is therefore at the heart of our Catholic faith. When we receive Christ, we enter into communion with Him so that we may become more like Him.

When handling the Holy Eucharist, especially when receiving the Host at Holy Communion, please do so with care and reverence. If you receive the Host in your hand, hold your hand steady and flat so that the priest or minister can place it securely in your palm. If you receive the Host on the tongue, open your mouth wide enough for the minister to place it easily, and close your mouth only after receiving. If you receive from the chalice, please take special care to avoid spilling the Precious Blood.

We ask that you consume the Host immediately, in the presence of the priest, deacon, or minister, before walking away. Should a minister gently remind you to do so, please understand that this is out of deep respect for the Eucharist and not a personal correction. They are not meaning to offend.

In recent months, communion hosts have been found in various locations outside of the sanctuary and even in the church parking lot. While we hope these incidents were accidental or done out of ignorance, they remind us of our sacred responsibility to handle the Eucharist with utmost reverence and respect. We pray it was not done out of irreverence.

We are grateful to those who returned the hosts, allowing us to properly place them in the sacrarium, a special receptacle used to dispose of ruined consecrated hosts or the Precious Blood reverently. For those who bring Communion to the sick or homebound, please use a proper container known as a pyx. The Eucharist should never be carried in a napkin, pocket, or purse.

Only priests, deacons, and trained Eucharistic Ministers should carry the Blessed Sacrament outside the church. If a loved one, friend, or fellow parishioner is in need of Communion at home or in the hospital, please contact the parish office to make appropriate arrangements.

Our Lord commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves—and to love Him above all. Let us express that love through our reverence for His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist, thanking Him always for the great gift of Himself in this Sacrament.

Yours in Christ, 
Fr. Bradley