Welcome to our Homebound Ministry where you will learn about our parish program for parishioners who are unable to attend mass in person.
Our priests have traditionally made visits to parishioners in need; however, in January 2024, we recognized the need to have a more formal ministry to meet the growing needs of our faith community. Thus, our new ministry was formalized with a goal to support St. Anthony of Padua parishioners who can no longer come to church because they are homebound, hospitalized or in hospice care. The parishioner may have a short-term or a long-term need for our support.
How Does this Work?
Fr. Oscar Unakalamba leads this ministry and he makes the initial visit to the parishioner. During this visit, Fr. Oscar is available to hear confession and he brings communion. He assesses the situation to determine if the parishioner should have visits from a Eucharistic Minister or if it is more appropriate for a family member to bring communion to their loved one.
If it is decided the parishioner needs Eucharistic Minister visits, then they will be added to our list of "Homebound, Hospitalized and Hospice Parishioners". Our Homebound Ministry strives to meet each week with each person. Each visit lasts about 15 minutes.
The number of visits a Eucharistic Minister makes fluctuates each week. On average, an EM will visit about 6 people. The Eucharistic Minister brings communion and the parish bulletin to each person visited.
How Do I Add a Name to the List?
Are you a registered St Anthony of Padua parishioner who is unable to attend mass because you are homebound, hospitalized or in hospice care?
Do you have a loved one or neighbor who is a registered parishioner at St Anthony of Padua; however, they are homebound, hospitalized, or in hospice care?
To be added to our list, please contact our ministry coordinator, Sandra Roseth, by email at reception@saopccfl.org or by phone at 352-588-3081 ext. 100.
How Do I Join this Ministry?
If you are an established member of our parish and are interested in becoming a member of this ministry, please reach out to Sandra Roseth in our parish office who will talk to you about the role and gather information from you. Please note that to be considered for this ministry the candidate needs to have:
- a reliable car
- about 3 hours two Sundays a month
As part of our ministry, our candidates will be screened and trained as follows:
- Diocese of St Petersburg safe environment training including a background check/fingerprinting
- Tabernacle and Sacred Host training by Fr Oscar
- Shadowing Fr. Oscar or a senior member of our team
If you are a newer parish member and have an interest, please contact Sandra Roseth in the parish office via email reception@saopccfl.org or call 352-588-3081 ext. 100 for more information on how to get involved.