This story is for those seeking a deeper understanding of the Eucharist.
A Lesson From a Little Nun
The Quote That Started It All
St. Teresa of Calcutta once told a priest that the saddest thing in the world was to watch people receive the Blessed Sacrament irreverently — speaking not of how, but of the disposition of the heart.
The Memory
That reflection came rushing back — standing inside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris during Holy Mass. A nun from the Missionaries of Charity was helping distribute Holy Communion. Hands extended to receive, she gave them a firm tap — not gentle — and then lightly touched a cheek. The message was wordless and unmistakable: Our Lord was to be received on the tongue.
The Lesson That Took Years to Land
No second thought was given to it at the time. It was only recently — after making the personal decision to receive Holy Communion on the tongue — that the quiet lesson that little nun was teaching finally came into focus.
When Mike and I were newly married, we attended Mass at St. John Eudes in Chatsworth, California — a rare visit during a season when faith had taken a backseat. Yet one moment from that day never left: the overwhelming joy that came after receiving Communion. The sensation was profound and inexplicable. Without the spiritual maturity to understand what was truly happening, there was still something unmistakably real — because what was being received was the Body of Christ Himself.
For years, that memory lingered without a name. The joy was real, but its source remained a mystery. It was only in returning to the Catholic faith that the truth came into focus: what had been missing was not simply a feeling — it was the Eucharist. The living presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
The Novice Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
Called to Serve
Serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion requires training — a brief formation in positioning, the proper words, and how to distribute reverently. It seemed straightforward enough. It was not.
The Weight of the Moment
The first time standing at the altar, inadequacy set in immediately. Every eye seemed fixed, every movement scrutinized. When a communicant approached with mouth open and tongue extended, fear took hold: What if her tongue is touched? What if the Host falls short? That anxiety proved prophetic. During the first week, a consecrated Host was dropped — and fell to the floor.
Grace in the Unexpected
Thank God, the woman picked it up immediately and consumed it herself. Mortification does not begin to describe it. The training had covered this: handle any dropped Host with reverence. But in that moment, the mind went blank. When it happened again, composure returned — the Host was carefully retrieved, held in hand, and after the remaining communicants were served, brought directly to the priest. He received it without a word, reverently consuming it himself.
The Lesson
One truth became clear early on: the reverence belongs to the Lord.
Sacred Responsibility
Six years later, the ministry continues — serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, week after week. With time, confidence has grown — not in technique, but in the weight of the sacred responsibility itself.
The parish serves both its community and an attached Catholic school, which means ministering multiple times each week, often to the youngest members of the flock. What once began in fear has become a privilege.
Not Again
Several years ago, while distributing Holy Communion to a student, a small particle of the Host fell to the floor. The heart raced — not from embarrassment this time, but from the full weight of what had just happened.
Eyes on the Floor
The Race of the Heart
There was no way to pick it up right then — the altar was packed with people, and the last thing anyone needed was a disruption during their communion with Christ. But the mind? Total chaos. What if someone steps on it? What if it disappears completely? Eyes stayed glued to that one spot on the floor for the next several minutes. A complete wreck.
The Search
After Mass, still hovering over that same area, Alan — one of the sacristans — walked over and asked what was going on. A quick explanation: a particle had fallen during distribution. The two of us got down and searched the floor together. Something small turned up, and in a moment of reverence — or maybe just looking way too hard — it went straight into the mouth, a genuflection followed, and that was that.
Something was immediately wrong.
The Horrible Truth
It did not dissolve like a Host. The texture was grainy, almost fibrous — like a fingernail. Or worse. Walking out of the church, stomach doing flips, the mystery object got quietly spit into a pocket for further investigation.
At home, the horrible truth came out: it was someone’s discarded toenail.
Transubstantiation
What the Church Actually Teaches
Transubstantiation is the heart of the Catholic faith: the bread and wine offered at Mass do not merely represent Christ — they become His Body and Blood. Truly. Completely. That is why receiving Communion at St. John Eudes carried such overwhelming joy. What was received was not a symbol. It was Christ Himself.
A Crisis Worth Knowing About
A 2019 Pew Research survey found that only 31% of Catholics in the United States believe the bread and wine actually become the Body and Blood of Jesus at Mass. That number has since been disputed — a Georgetown University study using more precise language found the figure closer to 64% — but even the most generous reading reveals a crisis of faith at the very center of Catholic life. Far too many Catholics approach the altar without knowing who they are receiving.
The Truth Is the Same Either Way
Whether the number is 31% or 64%, the doctrine does not change. What happens at every Mass — on every altar, in every nation, in every age — is what Christ Himself promised at the Last Supper and in the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel. This is not a symbol. This is not a memorial. This is the living Lord.
The Reverence
What the Church Requires
After those early mishaps, a deeper look into the proper protocol was in order — not just to be better prepared, but to understand why the Church treats even a crumb of the consecrated Host with such gravity.
The Protocol
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal and related Church directives are clear:
The priest and any Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion must remain extremely alert during the distribution of Holy Communion — ensuring each recipient consumes the sacred Host immediately, and retrieving it at once if anything goes wrong.
When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant should extend the tongue sufficiently so the Host can be placed on it securely — or form a proper cup with both hands. The communicant should then step aside, still facing the altar, and consume the Host before returning to the pew. That practice had become second nature even before knowing it was part of the official rubrics.
If a Host — or even a particle — falls to the floor, it should be retrieved and brought to the priest at the appropriate moment, such as when the vessels are being purified after Communion. An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion may also consume the Host if it has fallen.
What Happens When a Host Cannot Be Consumed
Here is what proved most striking: if a Host has fallen and is too soiled to be consumed reverently, it is to be placed in water and allowed to dissolve completely. The process of dissolving the Host in water may be used in special conditions, such as a partially consumed Host that may have fallen from a communicant’s mouth or a Host that was unintentionally dropped to a less than clean floor. Once dissolved, the water is poured into the sacrarium — a special sink in the sacristy whose drain does not feed into the sewer system, but disperses directly into the earth.
Nothing about the Eucharist is incidental. Not even the water.
My Prayer
Dear Lord, continue to shed Your light on this broken world. May Your Holy Spirit open the hearts of those who do not yet understand that it is truly Your Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity present in the Eucharist. May we all fall on our knees in reverence before Your Holy Presence.
Just as athletes train rigorously to achieve their goals, the Christian life demands spiritual discipline to triumph over life’s challenges. The trials faced along the way — illness, addiction, loss, financial hardship — are not signs of abandonment. They are opportunities for growth. They remind us of our dependence on God and of His unfailing presence, especially in the hardest moments.
Every Athlete Exercises Discipline
St. Paul puts it plainly:
“Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” — 1 Corinthians 9:24–25 (NABRE)
The standard is clear. An athlete does not train halfway. Neither should the pursuit of holiness.
Perseverance Builds What Comfort Cannot
Perseverance and faith are not optional accessories to the spiritual life — they are its backbone. In every trial, God is present: guiding, strengthening, and shaping. As faith deepens and trust grows, resilience follows. The soul that has been tested becomes better equipped to face what comes next.
Grace Is Enough
When strength runs out, grace steps in. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord tells Paul directly: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” That promise was not only for Paul. It is for every soul who has ever felt too weak to continue — which is to say, all of us, at one point or another.
1 Corinthians 10:13 New American Bible (Revised Edition)
13 No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.
His creation
If we are aware that God provides us with a way out, we must place our trust in Him. Standing firm in faith and using the Word of God as our main weapon against the destructive tactics of the enemy is crucial. For instance, if you receive a concerning report from the doctor, how you respond to this information can significantly influence your path to recovery.
Doctor’s Report
In February, following my regular mammogram, I received a report indicating something irregular. A follow-up appointment was scheduled, but it was two weeks away. My husband, Mike, is my rock. When I shared this news with him, he reassured me, saying, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, and I’m going to take care of you.” While his words were heartfelt and comforting, I couldn’t help but feel concerned.
Prayer
When the Report Is Not What You Expected
Trust Is the Weapon
When God provides a way out, the response is trust. Standing firm in faith and holding fast to the Word of God is not passive — it is the primary weapon against every destructive tactic of the enemy. How a difficult report is received, processed, and responded to can shape everything that follows.
The Doctor’s Report
In February, a routine mammogram returned with something irregular. A follow-up appointment was scheduled — but it was two weeks away. Those two weeks had to be lived through.
Mike, a steady and faithful husband, was the first to hear the news. His response was immediate: “Don’t worry — you’ll be fine, and I’m going to take care of you.” The words were heartfelt and deeply comforting. And still, concern quietly took up residence.
Turning to Prayer
The news was also shared with a sister, Jo, who offered steady encouragement. When thoughts of the unknown began creeping in, prayer became the response. The desire to appear brave was real — but so was the fear. Both were brought to God honestly.
Do Not Fear
There is a certain kind of Christian who prays boldly and fervently for others, yet struggles to receive that same boldness when the need is personal. That struggle is real and worth naming. In this season, the saints were called upon to intercede, and the Blessed Mother was asked to petition Jesus for a favorable report. There were moments of tears while driving. There were heavy stretches of prayer. And through all of it, trust in God did not waver — even when the heart did.
I also shared the report with my sister, Jo, who offered words of encouragement. Whenever thoughts of the unknown crept into my mind, I turned to prayer. Despite my desire to put on a brave face, fear still found its way into my thoughts.
The Second Appointment
A Long Drive and a Rosary
Mike drove again — not only for support, but because the mammogram had been accidentally scheduled at a location that might as well have been Timbuktu. The rosary stayed close the entire journey. When the name was finally called, the heart began to race.
More Invasive, More Painful — and Still Trusting
The examination this time was more invasive and more painful than the first. The one consolation was that results would be available before leaving. As other women came and went — told to change back into their regular clothes — the hospital robe stayed on. A full rosary was prayed in the waiting. Then a new nurse appeared.
Another Image
The doctor had ordered an additional image. Why another image? The question rose quietly — and then, just as quietly, everything was surrendered to the Lord. There was nothing left to hold onto but Him.
The Smile That Said Everything
After the examination, the nurse consulted with the doctor. The images were reviewed. Another angle was taken. The waiting stretched on. And then the doctor walked in — with a smile. That was enough. No words were needed yet.
Poor Mike had been waiting in the car for over an hour. When he saw the expression on her face, words gave way to something better: a prayer of thanksgiving, offered together, right there.
Fear, Faith, and the God Who Holds It All
Fear Is Not From God
Allowing fear to take root is like handing the enemy the keys to the mind. Fear is a spirit — a stronghold — but it is not one that has to be kept. The authority to bring it down is already given (Romans 8:15). God did not give a spirit of fear. That means its source is elsewhere, and its name is not hard to find.
What Fear Does to Prayer
When operating in fear, prayer weakens — because trust in God falters. A prayer offered without faith does not disappear, but it wavers. God still hears it. But three things become harder to access in that state:
Encouragement — without it, the soul whispers nobody cares or why me?
Wisdom — without it, God’s guidance goes unrecognized.
Faith — without it, prayer becomes uncertain rather than bold.
Together, these absences can hold a person in bondage — which is precisely where the enemy wants them. Defeated. Doubting. Alone.
Misdiagnosed
When a neurologist suggested the possibility of Parkinson’s disease, the first response was not prayer — it was shock. Then tears. Then, eventually, prayer. And that is allowed. God permits those moments of sorrow not to crush us, but to draw us into His arms.
Every trial carries an invitation: draw closer. Trust more. Release control — because it was never ours to hold. Doubt makes the soul double-minded, wavering between conviction and uncertainty. God desires trust more than anything else — and for some, that is the most significant step of all.
You Are Never Alone
A Prayer for the Weary
Dear Heavenly Father, hear the cries of Your people who feel alone, weary, and overwhelmed. Please, Lord, help them persevere and carry their crosses. Deliver them from their afflictions, strengthen their faith, and guide them through the darkness. Thank You, Father, for Your unwavering care for us. Help us to trust in You in every area of our lives. Amen.
A Word to Hold Onto
Never forget this: you are never alone. He cares — and so does the one writing these words.
It was a special evening — volunteers gathered with their priests and Most Reverend Timothy E. Freyer, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange, for dinner after a long and grace-filled day of ministry.
The Second Confirmation
To accommodate the families of the candidates, two separate services were held. This Friday, Auxiliary Bishop Freyer confirmed the remaining candidates. The celebration was just as beautiful as the first — marked by his personal witness as he shared the story of his call to the priesthood. His humble beginnings are still evident: at dinner, he stayed, listened, and graciously took time to answer every question.
The Dinner
Arriving first at the rectory, there was an immediate problem: the food had been mistakenly delivered to the ministry center. While the younger members of the team — “Vision” — transferred everything over, the task fell to one person to welcome the priests and Auxiliary Bishop Freyer as they arrived.
Before the meal was served, the main course options were noted: salmon with vegetables, or pasta with chicken parmigiana. After the Caesar salad was served, each guest was asked their preference. Every one of them chose the pasta. It was only after serving them that several trays of lasagna were discovered in the kitchen — and the quiet weight of not having offered it settled in.
Humility
Before the meal arrived, Father Erialdo mentioned that the kitchen appliances were outdated and several weren’t working. Even with a microwave, heating each meal individually would have been a challenge. Dinner arrived barely warm — yet no one complained.
That’s not always an easy thing. When a meal falls short, the temptation to grumble — or send it back — is real. But these gracious men offered a quiet and powerful lesson in humility: it was never about the meal. It was about the richness of the conversation shared around the table.
1 Peter 4:9 (NABRE)“Be hospitable to one another without complaining.”
Patty, second row
Patty
Patty, the Confirmation and Youth Ministry Coordinator, clearly operates in the grace of God. An introvert by nature, she surprised many with how effortlessly she engaged Bishop Freyer in conversation. She asked whether he played a musical instrument. He replied that he did not — and that opened a natural door to share that Patty had been part of an all-girl Mariachi group. The Bishop was delightfully surprised and drew her into a deeper conversation about that experience. The quiet, humble spirit this young woman carries is a testament to how she will lead many to Christ. Thanks be to God for her generous service.
Dinner Conversations
Throughout dinner, the conversations unfolded richly while many thoughts stayed quietly in the heart.
The parish is truly blessed to have Father John as Pastor. The following morning, he was set to depart with the eighth-grade class on their trip back east — with arrangements already in place for him to celebrate Mass at several historic cathedrals along the way, including Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
Cats
When the conversation turned to cats, there was a natural opening to share about Prudie — a beloved companion of more than twenty years. About two years ago, a prayer went up asking the Lord to grant Prudie five more years, and she is living up to that prayer beautifully. Whether one loves cats or not, Prudie’s story has a way of bringing a smile. She is gently and tenderly cared for. There is something quietly profound in that: God blesses those who show care for the elderly and the vulnerable — including the animals entrusted to us. How we treat the least among us is often a mirror of how we ourselves will one day need to be treated.
World Youth Day
Pope Leo XIV has announced that the next World Youth Day will take place in Seoul, South Korea, from August 3–8, 2027. The theme — “Take courage, I have overcome the world” — sets a bold tone for what will be the first World Youth Day ever held in South Korea and only the second in all of Asia. Patty is already working diligently to prepare the Vision team for this momentous pilgrimage — a testament to the missionary heart alive in this parish.
Vision
Vision, an organization born from this parish, is led by Patty with quiet and purposeful devotion. Under her guidance, these young men and women give themselves wholeheartedly to supporting the Youth Ministry — and what they offer is more than assistance. It is witness.
There was a time when it was difficult to imagine how youth, with their limited years and still-forming life experience, could effectively teach others in the faith. But the Holy Spirit has a way of confounding that kind of expectation. What has unfolded under Patty’s gentle and steady hand is a transformation — not just in what these young people do, but in who they are becoming. Their dedication inspires others to pursue a life filled with genuine joy.
1 Timothy 4:12–13 (NABRE)“Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching.”
Patty’s younger siblings
Patty’s Family
During COVID, a blog post — Keeping the Faith — briefly introduced Patty’s family. They faithfully attended outdoor Mass throughout that season, filling eight seats between them. Together, they are a force for holiness. Two of Patty’s younger siblings attended the Confirmation and served as altar servers — a beautiful image of a family that does not simply live the faith quietly at home but brings it with them wherever they go.
Father Erialdo took a moment to share with the Bishop that Patty’s brother is currently in seminary, studying for the priesthood. A family sending a son to the altar of God — that is a gift that multiplies.
Colossians 3:12 (NABRE)“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Saying Goodbye
Because this parish was the first on the Confirmation schedule in the Diocese of Orange, two more classes remain before the program concludes. The hope is that students will show up — not merely out of obligation, but so that this season of formation can close as it began: together, in community, with the care it deserves.
A Closing Prayer
Lord, how good it is to serve You — especially in the company of those who do so with such quiet and generous hearts. Gratitude rises for every opportunity to walk alongside the youth in this season of formation, and for all who give themselves freely in that service.
For each student who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation: may the sealing of the Holy Spirit they have been given not remain dormant, but blaze to life — bearing fruit in witness, in courage, and in lives surrendered to You.
Pour out Your grace upon the Vision group. Guide them by Your Spirit. Give them clarity of purpose, depth of love, and a boldness in mission that can only come from You. May their service to this community be an ever-deepening act of worship.
