Departments
Good Shepherd Chapel to Become
The Home of The Holy Eucharist
By Leonard Skonecki
Dedication set for February 1
On Feb. 1, the spiritual life of Good Shepherd Home will become even richer. On that Sunday, the chapel's new tabernacle will be dedicated.
The tabernacle will house the Blessed Sacrament, the consecrated bread of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church.
"Good Shepherd is very attentive to the religious needs of its Christian ministry," said Father Daniel Ring of St. Wendelin Catholic Church.
Good Shepherd has two services weekly for its Catholic residents and their families. There is also Communion each Sunday, mass every other Monday and a service every other Thursday.
"Roughly 30 percent of our residents are Catholic. The Catholic services are always well-attended," Good Shepherd Chaplain Jim Sampson said.
"There are quite a few Catholics as Good Shepherd," Ring added. "They will be comforted and reassured of God's love for them by having the Blessed Sacrament."
Permission to have the tabernacle was granted by the bishop of the Diocese of Toledo on a two-year trial basis. The Diocese is satisfied Good Shepherd will tend to the safety and reverence of the Blessed Sacrament. There are other such tabernacles in the chapels of non-Catholic hospitals in Toledo.
Denny Foos built the wood tabernacle. Geraldine and Jack Brubaker donated a vigil light signifying the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
The tabernacle will indicate the Lord's presence for those who come to pray. It houses the Eucharist so Communion can be distributed outside of mass.
In the event, someone should suddenly become ill, "special ministers of the Eucharist" can give them Communion.
Good Shepherd Administrator Chris Widman has set the tabernacle
dedication service for Sunday, Feb. 1, at 1 pm. Father Ring will
conduct the service. Good Shepherd's Don Lee will play for the
hymns which will be sung. Residents, family, volunteers, staff
and the public are invited to attend.