Our Lady of Mercy

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

Practical Guidelines

(As of February 2006)

1. The minimum requirements to be an "extraordinary minister of the Eucharist" (hereafter referred to as : E.M.) are:
   1. At least 16 years old
   2. Fully initiated Catholic (received Confirmation)
   3. Participates regularly in the sacramental life of the Church.
2. Nancy Deutman is the Head E.M. Her responsibilities are to:
   1. Maintain an updated list of all E.M.'s names and telephone numbers.
   2. Distribute this list to all E.M.s
   3. Schedule the E.M.'s each Sunday (although if you can't be there, it is your responsibility to find a substitute).
   4. Make sure that this schedule is printed in the Parish Newsletter.
3. This is what each E.M. should do:
   1. Come up to the altar at the sign of peace.
   2. If there are 2 priests than one scheduled E.M. should NOT come up. All concelebrating priests should give out Communion.
   3. Make sure you are dressed appropriately and that your hands are clean. At the sign of peace you may wash your hands in the sacristy.
   4. After the priest receives Communion, he will give the E.M.s and communion.
   5. They in turn will give the altar servers Communion and then go to their stations.
   6. The priest will give you either the bread or the chalice.
   7. These are eight stations: Four ministers give out the bread and four are cup bearers. Cup bearers try to separate yourselves a bit from the bread so as to avoid back ups.
   8. If you are giving out the bread, say: "The Body of Christ." If you are giving out the wine, say: "The Blood of Christ." Please do not change these words!
   9. You may say a silent prayer of blessing for babies and those who haven't received their First Communion. You may touch their heads or make a small sign of the cross on their foreheads.
   10. After Communion is over, consume any remaining wine, purify on the side altar, and go to sacristy with vessels.
   11. Walk back to you pew in a dignified fashion. No genuflections or bows are necessary.
4. WHAT IFS?
   1. If the wine spills, please clean it with your purificator.
   2. If the bread falls on the ground, wait and see if the communicant will pick it up. If he doesn't you may pick it up and place it on the altar server's patent (dish). You may also consume it immediately.
5. Other suggestions.
   
   1. Remember, it is an honor to distribute the body of Christ to your brothers and sisters. An attitude of reverence and respect should be first and foremost in your heart. If you would like to spend some quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament before Mass begins, please feel free to come to church 15-20 minutes early.
   2. Another aspect of being an E.M. is visiting the sick and bringing them Holy Communion and praying with them. You may consider taking part in this aspect should the need arise.
   3. Even though the correct terminology is Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, the term "Eucharistic Minister" has become widely used.
6. You will receive periodic theological training. Also, the parish priest will have a special blessing to commission the E.M.s at one of our Sunday Masses.