Access by Communion ministers restricted at health care facilities

“We’re not going to be using volunteers – our extraordinary ministers of holy Communion – throughout our health care facilities,” Deacon Tully said. “The hospitals are closing down visits. It’s just a precaution to make sure that we don’t allow (the virus) to get to this population. This is a very critical population, and it’s scary.”
 

Some facilities are allowing Mass to be celebrated if a priest happens to reside there. Others facilities are permitting Communion services, but going from room to room to visit with patients and offer the Eucharist is not being allowed.
 

“We just can’t take that risk,” Deacon Tully said.
 

In the case where a loved one’s death appears imminent, Deacon Tully said the family should call their pastor, who will be allowed to visit to confer the sacrament of the sick. Catholic residents at all Catholic health care facilities are anointed, upon request, when they are admitted and then are anointed twice a year if they are in the facility for an extended time.