Bread for the Hungry

The Second Vatican Council taught that the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood, is the source and summit of Christian life. The Eucharist is the heart and center of our lives. It’s our identity. Who we are. One body in Christ.

The Church also teaches us that the Eucharist is the foretaste and promise of the paschal feast of Heaven. Using the words of sacred scripture, she invites us to taste and see that the Lord is good. When we gather around the altar of our parish church we already live the life of Heaven. We are given a taste of the glory yet to come.

And of course, Jesus himself makes it very clear that communion in his Body and Blood is essential to our spiritual health and well-being. Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his Blood, you have no life in you. In other words, without Jesus in the Eucharist we are dust and ashes. We are nothing.

Everything I’ve said thus far throws into high relief the terrible deprivations suffered by Catholics during these pandemic days. We are shut out of our churches and cut off from the Bread of Life. We hunger for Jesus, the Bread come down from Heaven, but the doors to the church are locked against us. How sad, tragic and terrible. God’s Holy People are starving!

That’s why I made the decision to offer Holy Communion outside of Mass for as long as these pandemic restrictions hold. The doors of St. Clement Church will be open Saturday afternoons between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m., and Sunday mornings between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. One of the priests or the deacon will be waiting at the front to give Communion to Catholics who present themselves in faith.

As your pastor, I encourage you to prepare yourselves before you come to the church. If you are conscious of serious sin, celebrate the Sacrament of Confession (Saturday mornings between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.). Fast for one full hour from all food and drink, except water & medications. Pray for a heart worthy to receive Jesus. Use the prayer found on our parish website.

When you arrive at church you may have to wait a few minutes at the door. Only ten people are allowed into the church at any given time. Try to remain recollected. Pray instead of chatting with those around you. Wear your mask at all times and keep safe social distance, both outside and inside the church. Your priests and deacon are happy to see you, but again, the moment of Communion isn’t time for even well-intentioned greetings. Stay focused on Jesus.

Because of numbers restrictions (the 10) we can’t allow you to remain in church after you have received the Body of Christ. Please leave quietly by the side entrance. Try to stay recollected until you get home. Pray in the car, or as you walk, and once inside your house or apartment, pray the Prayer of Thanksgiving found on our website.

There is no substitute for the Mass. And by that I mean our real, physical presence around the altar. Watching on television or YouTube just isn’t the same thing. But until restrictions are lifted, the invitation stands. Come to Holy Communion at the times listed above. Come to Jesus and feed your hunger for the Bread that comes down from Heaven. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Msgr. Paul Zimmer
Pastor, St Clement Catholic Church, Etobicoke