Bearing Witness to Hope: Bringing Christ to the Quiet Corners of our Diocese

By Deacon Cliff Donnelly

In these early months of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, the intertwined calls of Pope Francis and Bishop James Golka urge us to be “tangible signs of hope.” Within the Diocese of Colorado Springs, we are committed to showcasing how our community actively lives out the call to hope during this Jubilee Year. Our homebound ministry, pastoral care in rehabilitation facilities, and outreach to the aging population in senior living centers are powerful and inspiring examples of hope in action — tangible expressions of the love and dedication found in our parishes, diocesan ministries, and among the faithful.

Within the serene and often quiet confines of one such senior living complex in our diocese, a powerful testament to enduring faith unfolds with remarkable consistency each Sunday at 10 a.m. Approximately 20 Catholics, predominantly women gracefully navigating their advanced years — many well into their eighties and relying on the steady support of walkers — gather with a shared and sacred purpose: to celebrate the Lord’s Day. Their common bond is a profound and unwavering love for our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Eucharist, a devotion that remains vibrantly alive within their hearts despite the significant physical immobility that prevents their participation in Mass at their local parish.

These devoted souls, whose lives are rich tapestries woven with the threads of a lifelong Catholic faith, keenly feel the absence of active parish life, the familiar rhythms of communal worship, and the sacred mystery of the Mass. For them, the Eucharist, the very source and summit of their spiritual lives, can only be encountered and received when lovingly brought to their doorstep. 

This cherished weekly communion service within the senior living center is typically led by a deacon, deacon candidate or a trained lay person from a neighboring parish. These compassionate individuals generously offer their time and talent to ensure that their elder brothers and sisters in Christ remain connected to the Body of Christ. Furthermore, a priest from a local parish makes a point to visit upon request, offering the precious sacrament of reconciliation and celebrating the Holy Mass on occasion, further nourishing their spiritual lives.

The faith community within this senior living complex, by the very nature of their circumstances, is often limited to fellow residents and the compassionate individuals who willingly and lovingly bridge the physical gap between them and the wider Church. We are profoundly grateful for the wisdom and guidance provided by the Church, particularly through the document “Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass.” In her maternal care, the Church deeply desires that this essential spiritual nourishment be accessible to all the faithful, irrespective of their physical ability to attend Mass. Moreover, the consistent practice of extending the Eucharistic community by bringing Holy Communion to the homebound and those in care facilities is not simply an act of individual kindness; it serves as a powerful and visible sign of the parish’s unwavering care, profound support, and deep connection with all its members. Indeed, a clear pastoral obligation rests upon the shoulders of our pastors and the entire parish community to diligently ensure that our sick and homebound brothers and sisters have the precious and regular opportunity to receive Holy Communion, thereby keeping them intimately connected to the very heart of the Church.

The inspiring community gathering described above has been a beacon of faith within its senior living community for over 15 years. It was thoughtfully initiated by a dedicated deacon whose mother-in-law resided at the center. Recognizing a profound spiritual need, this deacon, with the support of the local parish, responded with love and action, creating a vital link to the Eucharist for these faithful individuals. How many similar senior living facilities exist within the boundaries of our diocese that may not currently have such active and thriving “in-house” faith communities?

The Office of Missionary Discipleship and New Evangelization for our diocese diligently maintains a database of known care facilities within our region. Current records identify 219 such facilities, housing an estimated 10,901 residents. Based on general Catholic demographics, we can confidently estimate that well over 1,200 of these residents are Catholic. However, we are also keenly aware of two significant realities: firstly, our current database likely does not encompass every single care facility within our diocese, and secondly, a significant number of elderly Catholics residing in these facilities may not be afforded the regular opportunity to receive the precious gift of Holy Communion.

While not every facility might be equipped to support a full weekly communion service, it is reasonable to believe that most, if not all, would warmly welcome a weekly visit from a priest, deacon, or a compassionate member of the laity. Would you be willing to become a tangible sign of hope for these lifelong Catholics who may currently lack regular access to the Bread of Life, the Holy Eucharist? If your heart is moved by this call to service, we encourage you to reach out to your parish pastor or to Deacon Cliff Donnelly at cdonnelly@diocs.org and make your desire to participate in this vital ministry known. Together, we can extend the love and mercy of Christ to those who need it most, ensuring that the light of hope shines brightly in every corner of our diocese during this blessed Jubilee Year of Hope.

(Deacon Cliff Donnelly is Director of Prison and Jail Ministry for the Diocese of Colorado Springs.)