Emails...homebound Catholics during the holidays

"Where there is part, there is also the whole."

When St. Alice contracted leprosy in her 20's , she was no longer able to receive Communion from the chalice at her convent. She heard these words spoken to her by God, consoling her and reminding her that we are all part of the Communion of Saints (the "living communion that exists between us and our brothers who are in the glory of heaven or who are yet being purified after their death. ("Lumen Gentium." 51).

This time of year I receive quite a few emails from people who no longer can get to Mass or participate in a parish community. They so miss going to church. So I wanted to share these words as a reminder that God knows each of us and our situations and His love embraces us as we are, where we are - always.

Receiving Communion alone from a Eucharistic minister at home does not mean that you are not part of the whole. Just as St. Alice received Communion apart from others, she - and you - and all of us - are part of the Whole - the Body of Christ.