Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Ignatius, 

During the COVID pandemic, due to the number of people who could not attend Mass, we were called to find alternative ways of distributing the Holy Eucharist. At St. Ignatius, we received permission to distribute Holy Communion after our live-streamed Mass to those who drove to the Church parking areas. In a recent phone call from the Bishop’s office, I was informed that this extraordinary permission has been revoked. Effective February 8^th (the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time) Holy Communion will no longer be distributed after the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass in front of the Parish Office, although we will continue to live-stream our 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. We found that providing that service was a blessing for us here at St. Ignatius. 

The Bishop’s office affirmed that the sick and homebound have a right to a liturgy of the Church that is designed for them. This includes those whose physical disabilities or mental health challenges preclude them from attending regular Masses, as well any elderly persons who are concerned their health might be endangered by attending Mass.

The priests of St. Ignatius remain committed to providing the sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners. We are also blessed by our dedicated lay Xavier Extraordinary Ministers who are empowered to pray a special rite for the homebound as they bring Holy Communion to those who do not require the Anointing of the Sick or the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All of us are committed to your spiritual well-being and safety. If you are a parishioner, feel free to call our office  (916-482-9666, ext. 1006) and they will connect you with our Xavier Ministers. You may also contact Xavier Ministers directly: Rene Cardenas at 916-482-9666, ext. 1012 or xm@si-sac.org.

The Bishop’s office concluded its message as follows: “While Catholics are welcome to attend Mass at a parish that is not their territorial parish, they should not have to do so simply to receive communion of the sick. Persons [who are not St. Ignatius parishioners] should be cared for by and connected to their own ministers and parish communities. The Vicar for Clergy (Very Rev. Christopher Frazer, phone: 916-733-0200) is happy to assist anyone in the categories listed above who finds difficulty in receiving communion for the sick from their own home parish.”

With prayers for us all, especially those who are homebound, 

Fr. Tom Lucas S.J.

Pastor