Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Training and Preparation for Ministry

Opening Prayer God of mystery and of power, nothing is hid from you, to you all things are plain. Give us grace, O Lord, to hear your word and see your hand. Your might and your strength are beyond all comparison. Your love is greater than words can say. You call us Lord to a closer walk with you. You guide us into the paths that you have chosen in your wisdom. Keep us from fleeing your presence. Make us responsive to your loving call. ............... (silent prayer) .............. Gracious Father, hear our prayer and make us new. We ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forevermore. Amen.

Why are we here? Why did I come here today? Why do I want to become a Minister of the Eucharist? What are our aims?

WHY WE CAME HERE TODAY Asked to be a Minister of the Eucharist Noticed numbers of Ministers of the Eucharist are low ;saw a need, wanted to contribute Wanted to be more involved in parish, being a Minister of the Eucharist is one good way Always wanted to be a Minister of the Eucharist, but didn’t have time/courage until now Feel being a Minister of the Eucharist is something you want to do, should do, ...or are called to do Need; time; younger people to help; give something back; opportunity; work together; commitment; rally 4

BAPTISM Why you? You are the members of the body of Christ “but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1pt 2:9) In baptism we are fully initiated by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body the Church. You share in the preaching, teaching and leading aspects of the Church.

Why be a Minister of the Eucharist? More Ministers were needed It is a recognised role for lay people in a parish Occasional commitment Don’t know enough about or have fear of other types of Ministry Feel called to this particular form of Ministry Feel it is a very meaningful Ministry

What does the word “Minister” mean to me?

“Minister of the Eucharist” What does the term “Minister of the Eucharist” mean to me?

What is the role of a Minister of the Eucharist? Serve the community in a special way Offer Holy Communion to communicants at Mass Offer Holy Communion to the sick, the housebound, and nursing home residents Model Christian values for the entire community

What is the role of a Minister of the Eucharist? (contd.) Take on Christ’s likeness Strengthen their faith from within Share their faith with the faithful, particularly at Communion

Theological basis for Extra- Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

Meals mentioned in the Gospels During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat…” Mt.26:26 Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up towards heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples to give to the people. (Mk. 6:41-42) After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. (Lk.24:30) Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave some of it to the disciples. He did the same with the fish. (Jn.21:13)

The Mystery of the Eucharist The Gospel of John 6: 51-58 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

The Gospel of John 6: 51-58 First eating the flesh, then drinking the blood This is necessary for salvation (‘have life in you’; ‘I will raise them up on the last day’; ‘abide in me, and I in them’; ‘will live forever’.) Necessary to remain attached to or in close relationship with Christ (In Baptism we become part of the Body of Christ; it marks the beginning of our relationship with Christ; this relationship is nourished and sustained through the Eucharist) Extends the relationship between the Father and the Son to the believer who partakes in the Eucharist

What happens during the Mass?

Structure of the Liturgy of the Eucharist Take – this action happens at the Preparation of the Gifts, when the bread and wine are presented, and the priest makes the prayer offering them to the Lord. Bless – this corresponds to the Eucharistic Prayer, the prayer of thanksgiving or blessing which is said over the bread and wine. Break – this happens during the Communion Rite, and is accompanied by the singing (or saying) of the Lamb of God. The bread is broken. This is also called the Fraction Rite. Give (or Share) – this is the distribution of Holy Communion during the Communion Rite.

Structure of the Eucharistic prayer Opening dialogue Preface Sanctus Invocation of the Holy Spirit (epiclesis) Institution Narrative Institution narrative and consecration: In which, by means of words and actions of Christ, the Sacrifice is carried out which Christ himself instituted at the Last Supper, when he offered his Body and Blood under the species of bread and wine, gave them to his Apostles to eat and drink, and left them the command to perpetuate this same mystery. TRANSUBSTANTIATION Memorial Acclamation and Prayer (Anamnesis) Intercessions for the Church Doxology – Great Amen

Communion Rite Lord's Prayer; Our Father Sign of Peace Breaking of the Bread, Lamb of God; Fraction Rite Sharing of Communion Period of Silence  Prayer after Communion

Qualities of an Extra- Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist

Qualities of a Minister of the Eucharist Friendly Open Strong in faith or a strong desire to strengthen faith Practicing confirmed Catholic dedicated to growing in holiness Deep sense of community, i.e. A strong sense of including others

Qualities of a Minister of the Eucharist (contd.) Comfortable establishing relationships – ministers establish a relationship with each communicant in what is likely the most intimate moment of the liturgy Set an example of Christ in community, in general and during liturgical celebrations Observe the greatest Love commandment: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’

St Teresa of Avila "Christ has no body on earth but ours, no hands but ours, no feet but ours, Ours are the eyes through which is to look out Christ's compassion to the world, Ours are the feet, with which he is to go about doing good, Ours are the hands with which he is to bless people now."

Practical points on being an Extra- Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist.

Being a Minister of the Eucharist in our Parish Hospitality Speak to everyone Introduce yourself to visitors Look for people with special needs for communion Finds ways to be of service to others Faith God lives in you Don’t be afraid to ask questions when in doubt. Pray before the Eucharist

Being a Minister of the Eucharist in our Parish Hope (Romans 8:24-25) We share hope We nourish hope We all have our crosses to carry Make the extra effort to convey the hope and peace of Christ when you serve Communion to each individual Charity/Love (1st Corinthians 13:13) We are called to love as Jesus loves Being an Eucharistic Minister is a way to love our neighbour Love is not primarily an emotion but an act of will You can’t love others if you don’t love yourself

Being a Minister of the Eucharist in our Parish Check in before Mass in the Sacristy Join in the Opening Procession from the sacristy, walking behind the altar servers and the Minister of the Word, but in front of the priest. Immediately after The Lord’s Prayer go to the altar. Wash fingers before receiving Communion. One Eucharistic minister to go to Tabernacle to get ciboria required. To show reverence at the Tabernacle Eucharistic Ministers should genuflect after opening the Tabernacle door, but before removing Consecrated Hosts. They each take a ciborium to the altar

Being a Minister of the Eucharist in our Parish Ministers receive from the priest after he has received communion. Ministers receive from the hands of the priest the ciborium for the distribution of communion to the faithful. To distribute Communion each minister goes to their station around in the Church. It is a good idea to decide on station before mass begins.

Ministers of the Bread Pick up one piece and hold it in the line of sight between your eyes and the person to whom you are speaking. Look into the person’s eyes and in a clear, gentle, audible but not too loud a voice say, “The Body of Christ”. The person receiving will reply with, “Amen”. Either gently place the Eucharistic bread in their hand or on their tongue. Always smile  

Ministers of the Cup Always smile Before distributing, open up your purificator. Elevate the chalice to about the chin level of the person receiving. Look into the person’s eyes and in a clear, gentle, audible but not too loud a voice say, “The Blood of Christ”. The person receiving will reply with, “Amen”. Slowly hand the chalice over. Be sure the person has hold of the chalice before releasing. Note: Children, some elderly and disabled my not be able to hold the chalice and may need partial assistance. After the person has consumed from the chalice, take the chalice back and wipe the area, inside and out, with a clean area of the purificator. Turn the chalice ¼ turn Always smile

Other Situations and Scenarios If someone wants to receive a blessing with out receiving communion, they should participate in the communion procession with their arms crossed and hands on their shoulders. Proper blessings of someone not receiving communion including a baby or young child could be a sign of the cross on the forehead and a simple verbal blessing such as: May God bless you May God be with you It is not our role to refuse communion to anyone that comes up for communion. It is not our role to judge those who come forward.

Being a Minister of the Eucharist in our Parish When distribution of Communion is completed -- all ciboria will be returned to the main altar. Once the priest has purified the Communion vessels, he will hand the ciboria to the Ministers A bow of the body to the altar as a group of ministers communicates a link with the table from which you have shared and a reverence for what you have just done as a body of ministers… The Ministers will return the ciboria to the Tabernacle. They genuflect just before closing the door after returning the ciboria containing Hosts to the Tabernacle. Join in the Closing Procession, bowing before the Tabernacle, before returning to the sacristy at the end of mass.

What if a piece of the Eucharistic bread is dropped? Don’t panic or draw attention to the situation. Stop serving and pick it up. Either consume or place it in your hand (the one holding the ciborium), on the altar or under the ciborium, and continue to serve. If the person you are serving is responsible for dropping the Eucharist, ensure them it is okay. Accidents do happen, serve them again.

What if some of the precious blood is spilt? Don’t panic or draw attention to the situation. If it is a small spill, cover it with your purificator. Retrieve another purificator from the sacristy and continue serving. If the person you are serving is responsible for the spill, ensure them it is okay. Accidents do happen. If it is a large spill, go to the sacristy and get a large towel or additional purificators to soak up the spill. After Mass, the floor must be properly cleaned with water and all items used to clean the spill must be placed with the purificators to be rinsed out with the other sacred linen.

Question’s?

Closing Prayer Jesus, bless these hands you have chosen as your tools. Jesus, always keep us aware and in awe of our sacred mission. Jesus, make us worthy of this great ministry we have humbly accepted. Jesus, send us out into the world to distribute your love. Amen